records of a family of engineers(一个工程师的家庭)-第32章
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windlass nor work the hand…spikes； though it had been several times
attempted since the gale took off。
About twelve noon； however； the vessel's motion was observed to be
considerably less； and the sailors were enabled to walk upon deck with
some degree of freedom。 But； to the astonishment of every one； it was
soon discovered that the floating light was adrift！ The windlass was
instantly manned； and the men soon gave out that there was no strain upon
the cable。 The mizzen sail； which was bent for the occasional purpose of
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making the vessel ride more easily to the tide； was immediately set； and
the other sails were also hoisted in a short time； when； in no small
consternation； we bore away about one mile to the south…westward of the
former station； and there let go the best bower anchor and cable in twenty
fathoms water； to ride until the swell of the sea should fall； when it might
be practicable to grapple for the moorings； and find a better anchorage for
the ship。
＇Tuesday； 15th Sept。＇
This morning； at five a。m。； the bell rung as a signal for landing upon
the rock； a sound which； after a lapse of ten days； it is believed was
welcomed by every one on board。 There being a heavy breach of sea at the
eastern creek； we landed； though not without difficulty； on the western
side； every one seeming more eager than another to get upon the rock； and
never did hungry men sit down to a hearty meal with more appetite than
the artificers began to pick the dulse from the rocks。 This marine plant
had the effect of reviving the sickly； and seemed to be no less relished by
those who were more hardy。
While the water was ebbing； and the men were roaming in quest of
their favourite morsel； the writer was examining the effects of the storm
upon the forge and loose apparatus left upon the rock。 Six large blocks
of granite which had been landed； by way of experiment； on the 1st instant；
were now removed from their places and； by the force of the sea； thrown
over a rising ledge into a hole at the distance of twelve or fifteen paces
from the place on which they had been landed。 This was a pretty good
evidence both of the violence of the storm and the agitation of the sea
upon the rock。 The safety of the smith's forge was always an object of
essential regard。 The ash…pan of the hearth or fireplace； with its weighty
cast… iron back； had been washed from their places of supposed security；
the chains of attachment had been broken； and these ponderous articles
were found at a very considerable distance in a hole on the western side of
the rock； while the tools and picks of the Aberdeen masons were scattered
about in every direction。 It is； however； remarkable that not a single
article was ultimately lost。
This being the night on which the floating light was advertised to be
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lighted； it was accordingly exhibited； to the great joy of every one。
＇Wednesday； 16th Sept。＇
The writer was made happy to…day by the return of the Lighthouse
yacht from a voyage to the Northern Lighthouses。 Having immediately
removed on board of this fine vessel of eighty…one tons register； the
artificers gladly followed； for； though they found themselves more
pinched for accommodation on board of the yacht； and still more so in the
SMEATON； yet they greatly preferred either of these to the PHAROS； or
floating light； on account of her rolling motion； though in all respects
fitted up for their conveniency。
The writer called them to the quarter…deck and informed them that；
having been one mouth afloat； in terms of their agreement they were now
at liberty to return to the workyard at Arbroath if they preferred this to
continuing at the Bell Rock。 But they replied that； in the prospect of
soon getting the beacon erected upon the rock； and having made a change
from the floating light； they were now perfectly reconciled to their
situation； and would remain afloat till the end of the working season。
＇Thursday； 17th Sept。＇
The wind was at N。E。 this morning； and though they were only light
airs； yet there was a pretty heavy swell coming ashore upon the rock。
The boats landed at half…past seven o'clock a。m。； at the creek on the
southern side of the rock； marked Port Hamilton。 But as one of the boats
was in the act of entering this creek； the seaman at the bow…oar； who had
just entered the service； having inadvertently expressed some fear from a
heavy sea which came rolling towards the boat； and one of the artificers
having at the same time looked round and missed a stroke with his oar；
such a preponderance was thus given to the rowers upon the opposite side
that when the wave struck the boat it threw her upon a ledge of shelving
rocks； where the water left her； and she having KANTED to seaward； the
next wave completely filled her with water。 After making considerable
efforts the boat was again got afloat in the proper track of the creek； so
that we landed without any other accident than a complete ducking。
There being no possibility of getting a shift of clothes； the artificers began
with all speed to work； so as to bring themselves into heat； while the writer
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and his assistants kept as much as possible in motion。 Having remained
more than an hour upon the rock； the boats left it at half…past nine； and；
after getting on board； the writer recommended to the artificers； as the best
mode of getting into a state of comfort； to strip off their wet clothes and go
to bed for an hour or two。 No further inconveniency was felt； and no one
seemed to complain of the affection called ‘catching cold。'
＇Friday； 18th Sept。＇
An important occurrence connected with the operations of this season
was the arrival of the SMEATON at four p。m。； having in tow the six
principal beams of the beacon…house； together with all the stanchions and
other work on board for fixing it on the rock。 The mooring of the
floating light was a great point gained； but in the erection of the beacon at
this late period of the season new difficulties presented themselves。 The
success of such an undertaking at any season was precarious； because a
single day of bad weather occurring before the necessary fixtures could be
made might sweep the whole apparatus from the rock。 Notwithstanding
these difficulties； the writer had determined to make the trial； although he
could almost have wished； upon looking at the state of the clouds and the
direction of the wind； that the apparatus for the beacon had been still in the
workyard。
＇Saturday； 19th Sept。＇
The main beams of the beacon were made up in two separate rafts；
fixed with bars and bolts of iron。 One o
