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had been accustomed to a residence in the floating light； it seemed quite
intolerable。 Nothing was heard but the hissing of the winds and the
creaking of the bulkheads or partitions of the ship； the night was； therefore；
spent in the most unpleasant reflections upon the condition of the people
on the beacon； especially in the prospect of the tender being driven from
her moorings。 But； even in such a case； it afforded some consolation that
the stability of the fabric was never doubted； and that the boats of the
floating light were at no great distance； and ready to render the people on
the rock the earliest assistance which the weather would permit。 The
writer's cabin being in the sternmost part of the ship； which had what
sailors term a good entry； or was sharp built； the sea； as before noticed；
struck her counter with so much violence that the water； with a rushing
noise； continually forced its way up the rudder…case； lifted the valve of the
water…closet； and overran the cabin floor。 In these circumstances daylight
was eagerly looked for； and hailed with delight； as well by those afloat as
by the artificers upon the rock。
＇Friday； 2nd June＇
In the course of the night the writer held repeated conversations with
the officer on watch； who reported that the weather continued much in the
same state； and that the barometer still indicated 29。20 inches。 At six a。m。
the landing…master considered the weather to have somewhat moderated；
and； from certain appearances of the sky； he was of opinion that a change
for the better would soon take place。 He accordingly proposed to attempt a
landing at low…water； and either get the people off the rock； or at least
ascertain what state they were in。 At nine a。m。 he left the vessel with a
boat well manned； carrying with him a supply of cooked provisions and a
tea…kettle full of mulled port wine for the people on the beacon； who had
not had any regular diet for about thirty hours； while they were exposed
during that period； in a great measure； both to the winds and the sprays of
the sea。 The boat having succeeded in landing； she returned at eleven
a。m。 with the artificers； who had got off with considerable difficulty； and
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
who were heartily welcomed by all on board。
Upon inquiry it appeared that three of the stones last laid upon the
building had been partially lifted from their beds by the force of the sea；
and were now held only by the trenails； and that the cast…iron sheer…crane
had again been thrown down and completely broken。 With regard to the
beacon； the sea at high…water had lifted part of the mortar gallery or lowest
floor； and washed away all the lime…casks and other movable articles from
it； but the principal parts of this fabric had sustained no damage。 On
pressing Messrs。 Logan and Watt on the situation of things in the course of
the night； Mr。 Logan emphatically said： ‘That the beacon had an ILL…
FAURED （1） TWIST when the sea broke upon it at high…water； but that
they were not very apprehensive of danger。' On inquiring as to how they
spent the night； it appeared that they had made shift to keep a small fire
burning； and by means of some old sails defended themselves pretty well
from the sea sprays。
（1） Ill…formed … ugly。 … ＇R。 L。 S。＇
It was particularly mentioned that by the exertions of James Glen； one
of the joiners； a number of articles were saved from being washed off the
mortar gallery。 Glen was also very useful in keeping up the spirits of the
forlorn party。 In the early part of life he had undergone many curious
adventures at sea； which he now recounted somewhat after the manner of
the tales of the ARABIAN NIGHTS。 When one observed that the
beacon was a most comfortless lodging； Glen would presently introduce
some of his exploits and hardships； in comparison with which the state of
things at the beacon bore an aspect of comfort and happiness。 Looking to
their slender stock of provisions； and their perilous and uncertain chance
of speedy relief； he would launch out into an account of one of his
expeditions in the North Sea； when the vessel； being much disabled in a
storm； was driven before the wind with the loss of almost all their
provisions； and the ship being much infested with rats； the crew hunted
these vermin with great eagerness to help their scanty allowance。 By
such means Glen had the address to make his companions； in some
measure； satisfied； or at least passive； with regard to their miserable
prospects upon this half…tide rock in the middle of the ocean。 This incident
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
is noticed； more particularly； to show the effects of such a happy turn of
mind； even under the most distressing and ill…fated circumstances。
＇Saturday； 17th June＇
At eight a。m。 the artificers and sailors； forty…five in number； landed on
the rock； and after four hours' work seven stones were laid。 The
remainder of this tide； from the threatening appearance of the weather； was
occupied in trenailing and making all things as secure as possible。 At
twelve noon the rock and building were again overflowed； when the
masons and seamen went on board of the tender； but Mr。 Watt； with his
squad of ten men； remained on the beacon throughout the day。 As it blew
fresh from the N。W。 in the evening； it was found impracticable either to
land the building artificers or to take the artificers off the beacon； and they
were accordingly left there all night； but in circumstances very different
from those of the 1st of this month。 The house； being now in a more
complete state； was provided with bedding； and they spent the night pretty
well； though they complained of having been much disturbed at the time
of high…water by the shaking and tremulous motion of their house and by
the plashing noise of the sea upon mortar gallery。 Here James Glen's
versatile powers were again at work in cheering up those who seemed to
be alarmed； and in securing everything as far as possible。 On this
occasion he had only to recall to the recollections of some of them the
former night which they had spent on the beacon； the wind and sea being
then much higher； and their habitation in a far less comfortable state。
The wind still continuing to blow fresh from the N。W。； at five p。m。 the
writer caused a signal to be made from the tender for the SMEATON AND
PATRIOT to slip their moorings； when they ran for Lunan Bay； an
anchorage on the east side of the Redhead。 Those on board of the tender
spent but a very rough night； and perhaps slept less soundly than their
companions on the beacon； especially as the wind was at N。W。； which
caused the vessel to ride with her stern towards the Bell Rock； so that； in
the event of anything giving way； she could hardly have escaped being
stranded upon it。