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one or two were to be seen about the rock upon the more detached
outlayers which dry partially； whence they seemed to look with that sort of
curiosity which is observable in these animals when following a boat。
＇Saturday； 22nd Aug。＇
Hitherto the artificers had remained on board the SMEATON； which
was made fast to one of the mooring buoys at a distance only of about a
quarter of a mile from the rock； and； of course； a very great conveniency
to the work。 Being so near； the seamen could never be mistaken as to the
progress of the tide； or state of the sea upon the rock； nor could the boats
be much at a loss to pull on board of the vessel during fog； or even in very
rough weather； as she could be cast loose from her moorings at pleasure；
and brought to the lee side of the rock。 But the SMEATON being only
about forty register tons； her accommodations were extremely limited。 It
may； therefore； be easily imagined that an addition of twenty…four persons
to her own crew must have rendered the situation of those on board rather
uncomfortable。 The only place for the men's hammocks on board being
in the hold； they were unavoidably much crowded： and if the weather had
required the hatches to be fastened down； so great a number of men could
not possibly have been accommodated。 To add to this evil； the CO…
BOOSE or cooking…place being upon deck； it would not have been
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
possible to have cooked for so large a company in the event of bad
weather。
The stock of water was now getting short； and some necessaries being
also wanted for the floating light； the SMEATON was despatched for
Arbroath； and the writer； with the artificers at the same time shifted their
quarters from her to the floating light。
Although the rock barely made its appearance at this period of the
tides till eight o'clock； yet； having now a full mile to row from the floating
light to the rock； instead of about a quarter of a mile from the moorings of
the SMEATON； it was necessary to be earlier astir； and to form different
arrangements； breakfast was accordingly served up at seven o'clock this
morning。 From the excessive motion of the floating light； the writer had
looked forward rather with anxiety to the removal of the workmen to this
ship。 Some among them； who had been congratulating themselves upon
having become sea…hardy while on board the SMEATON； had a complete
relapse upon returning to the floating light。 This was the case with the
writer。 From the spacious and convenient berthage of the floating light；
the exchange to the artificers was； in this respect； much for the better。
The boats were also commodious； measuring sixteen feet in length on the
keel； so that； in fine weather； their complement of sitters was sixteen
persons for each； with which； however； they were rather crowded； but she
could not stow two boats of larger dimensions。 When there was what is
called a breeze of wind； and a swell in the sea； the proper number for each
boat could not； with propriety； be rated at more than twelve persons。
When the tide…bell rung the boats were hoisted out； and two active
seamen were employed to keep them from receiving damage alongside。
The floating light being very buoyant； was so quick in her motions that
when those who were about to step from her gunwale into a boat； placed
themselves upon a cleat or step on the ship's side； with the man or rail
ropes in their hands； they had often to wait for some time till a favourable
opportunity occurred for stepping into the boat。 While in this situation；
with the vessel rolling from side to side； watching the proper time for
letting go the man…ropes； it required the greatest dexterity and presence of
mind to leap into the boats。 One who was rather awkward would often
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
wait a considerable period in this position： at one time his side of the ship
would be so depressed that he would touch the boat to which he belonged；
while the next sea would elevate him so much that he would see his
comrades in the boat on the opposite side of the ship； his friends in the one
boat calling to him to ‘Jump；' while those in the boat on the other side； as
he came again and again into their view； would jocosely say； ‘Are you
there yet？ You seem to enjoy a swing。' In this situation it was common
to see a person upon each side of the ship for a length of time； waiting to
quit his hold。
On leaving the rock to…day a trial of seamanship was proposed
amongst the rowers； for by this time the artificers had become tolerably
expert in this exercise。 By inadvertency some of the oars provided had
been made of fir instead of ash； and although a considerable stock had
been laid in； the workmen； being at first awkward in the art； were
constantly breaking their oars； indeed it was no uncommon thing to see the
broken blades of a pair of oars floating astern； in the course of a passage
from the rock to the vessel。 The men； upon the whole； had but little work
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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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 in