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to perform in the course of a day； for though they exerted themselves
extremely hard while on the rock； yet； in the early state of the operations；
this could not be continued for more than three or four hours at a time； and
as their rations were large … consisting of one pound and a half of beef； one
pound of ship biscuit； eight ounces oatmeal； two ounces barley； two
ounces butter； three quarts of small beer； with vegetables and salt … they
got into excellent spirits when free of sea…sickness。 The rowing of the
boats against each other became a favourite amusement； which was rather
a fortunate circumstance； as it must have been attended with much
inconvenience had it been found necessary to employ a sufficient number
of sailors for this purpose。 The writer； therefore； encouraged the spirit of
emulation； and the speed of their respective boats became a favourite topic。
Premiums for boat…races were instituted； which were contended for with
great eagerness； and the respective crews kept their stations in the boats
with as much precision as they kept their beds on board of the ship。 With
these and other pastimes； when the weather was favourable； the time
passed away among the inmates of the forecastle and waist of the ship。
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
The writer looks back with interest upon the hours of solitude which he
spent in this lonely ship with his small library。
This being the first Saturday that the artificers were afloat； all hands
were served with a glass of rum and water at night； to drink the sailors'
favourite toast of ‘Wives and Sweethearts。' It was customary； upon these
occasions； for the seamen and artificers to collect in the galley； when the
musical instruments were put in requisition： for； according to invariable
practice； every man must play a tune； sing a song； or tell a story。
＇Sunday； 23rd Aug。＇
Having； on the previous evening； arranged matters with the landing…
master as to the business of the day； the signal was rung for all hands at
half…past seven this morning。 In the early state of the spring…tides the
artificers went to the rock before breakfast； but as the tides fell later in the
day； it became necessary to take this meal before leaving the ship。 At eight
o'clock all hands were assembled on the quarter…deck for prayers； a
solemnity which was gone through in as orderly a manner as
circumstances would admit。 When the weather permitted； the flags of
the ship were hung up as an awning or screen； forming the quarter…deck
into a distinct compartment； the pendant was also hoisted at the mainmast；
and a large ensign flag was displayed over the stern； and lastly； the ship's
companion； or top of the staircase； was covered with the FLAG PROPER
of the Lighthouse Service； on which the Bible was laid。 A particular toll
of the bell called all hands to the quarter…deck； when the writer read a
chapter of the Bible； and； the whole ship's company being uncovered； he
also read the impressive prayer composed by the Reverend Dr。 Brunton；
one of the ministers of Edinburgh。
Upon concluding this service； which was attended with becoming
reverence and attention； all on board retired to their respective berths to
breakfast； and； at half…past nine； the bell again rung for the artificers to
take their stations in their respective boats。 Some demur having been
evinced on board about the propriety of working on Sunday； which had
hitherto been touched upon as delicately as possible； all hands being called
aft； the writer； from the quarter…deck； stated generally the nature of the
service； expressing his hopes that every man would feel himself called
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
upon to consider the erection of a lighthouse on the Bell Rock； in every
point of view； as a work of necessity and mercy。 He knew that scruples
had existed with some； and these had； indeed； been fairly and candidly
urged before leaving the shore； but it was expected that； after having seen
the critical nature of the rock； and the necessity of the measure； every man
would now be satisfied of the propriety of embracing all opportunities of
landing on the rock when the state of the weather would permit。 The
writer further took them to witness that it did not proceed from want of
respect for the appointments and established forms of religion that he had
himself adopted the resolution of attending the Bell Rock works on the
Sunday； but； as he hoped； from a conviction that it was his bounden duty；
on the strictest principles of morality。 At the same time it was intimated
that； if any were of a different opinion； they should be perfectly at liberty
to hold their sentiments without the imputation of contumacy or
disobedience； the only difference would be in regard to the pay。
Upon stating this much； he stepped into his boat； requesting all who
were so disposed to follow him。 The sailors； from their habits； found no
scruple on this subject； and all of the artificers； though a little tardy； also
embarked； excepting four of the masons； who； from the beginning；
mentioned that they would decline working on Sundays。 It may here be
noticed that throughout the whole of the operations it was observable that
the men wrought； if possible； with more keenness upon the Sundays than
at other times from an impression that they were engaged in a work of
imperious necessity； which required every possible exertion。 On returning
to the floating light； after finishing the tide's work； the boats were received
by the part of the ship's crew left on board with the usual attention of
handing ropes to the boats and helping the artificers on board； but the four
masons who had absented themselves from the work did not appear upon
deck。
＇Monday； 24th Aug。＇
The boats left the floating light at a quarter…past nine o'clock this
morning； and the work began at three…quarters past nine； but as the neap…
tides were approaching the working time at the rock became gradually
shorter； and it was now with difficulty that two and a half hours' work
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
could be got。 But so keenly had the workmen entered into the spirit of
the beacon…house operations； that they continued to bore the holes in the
rock till some of them were knee…deep in water。
The operations at this time were entirely directed to the erection of the
beacon； in which every man felt an equal interest； as at this critical period
the slightest casualty to any of the boats at the rock might have been fatal
to himself individually； while it was perhaps peculiar to the writer more
immediately to feel for the safety of the whole。 Each log or upright beam
of the beacon was to be fixed to the rock by two strong and massive bats
or stanchions of iron。 These bats； for the fixture of the principal and
diagonal beams and bracing chains； required fifty…four holes； each
measuring two inches in diameter and eighteen inches in depth。 There
had already been so considerable a progress made in boring and
excavating the holes that the writer's hopes of getting the beacon erected
this year began to be more and more confirmed； although it was now
advancing towards what was considered the latter end of the proper
working season at the Bell Rock。 The foreman joiner； Mr。 Francis Watt；
was accordingly appointed to attend at the rock to…day； when the necessary
levels were taken for the step or seat of each particular beam of the beacon；
that they might be cut to their respective lengths； to suit the inequalities of
the rock； several of the stanchi