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artificers； the beds being ranged in tiers； as was done in the barrack of the
beacon。 The light…room； though unprovided with its machinery； being
now covered over with the cupola； glazed and painted； had a very
complete and cleanly appearance。 The balcony was only as yet fitted
with a temporary rail； consisting of a few iron stanchions； connected with
ropes； and in this state it was necessary to leave it during the winter。
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
Having gone over the whole of the low…water works on the rock； the
beacon； and lighthouse； and being satisfied that only the most untoward
accident in the landing of the machinery could prevent the exhibition of
the light in the course of the winter； Mr。 John Reid； formerly of the
floating light； was now put in charge of the lighthouse as principal keeper；
Mr。 James Slight had charge of the operations of the artificers； while Mr。
James Dove and the smiths； having finished the frame of the light…room；
left the rock for the present。 With these arrangements the writer bade
adieu to the works for the season。 At eleven a。m。 the tide was far
advanced； and there being now little or no shelter for the boats at the rock；
they had to be pulled through the breach of sea； which came on board in
great quantities； and it was with extreme difficulty that they could be kept
in the proper direction of the landing…creek。 On this occasion he may be
permitted to look back with gratitude on the many escapes made in the
course of this arduous undertaking； now brought so near to a successful
conclusion。
＇Monday； 5th Nov。＇
On Monday； the 5th； the yacht again visited the rock； when Mr。 Slight
and the artificers returned with her to the workyard； where a number of
things were still to prepare connected with the temporary fitting up of the
accommodation for the lightkeepers。 Mr。 John Reid and Peter Fortune
were now the only inmates of the house。 This was the smallest number
of persons hitherto left in the lighthouse。 As four lightkeepers were to be
the complement； it was intended that three should always be at the rock。
Its present inmates； however； could hardly have been better selected for
such a situation； Mr。 Reid being a person possessed of the strictest notions
of duty and habits of regularity from long service on board of a man…of…
war； while Mr。 Fortune had one of the most happy and contented
dispositions imaginable。
＇Tuesday； 13th Nov。＇
From Saturday the 10th till Tuesday the 13th； the wind had been from
N。E。 blowing a heavy gale； but to…day； the weather having greatly
moderated； Captain Taylor； who now commanded the SMEATON； sailed
at two o'clock a。m。 for the Bell Rock。 At five the floating light was
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
hailed and found to be all well。 Being a fine moonlight morning； the
seamen were changed from the one ship to the other。 At eight； the
SMEATON being off the rock； the boats were manned； and taking a
supply of water； fuel； and other necessaries； landed at the western side；
when Mr。 Reid and Mr。 Fortune were found in good health and spirits。
Mr。 Reid stated that during the late gales； particularly on Friday； the
30th； the wind veering from S。E。 to N。E。； both he and Mr。 Fortune sensibly
felt the house tremble when particular seas struck； about the time of high…
water； the former observing that it was a tremor of that sort which rather
tended to convince him that everything about the building was sound； and
reminded him of the effect produced when a good log of timber is struck
sharply with a mallet； but； with every confidence in the stability of the
building； he nevertheless confessed that； in so forlorn a situation； they
were not insensible to those emotions which； he emphatically observed；
‘made a man look back upon his former life。'
＇1881 Friday； 1st Feb。＇
The day； long wished for； on which the mariner was to see a light
exhibited on the Bell Rock at length arrived。 Captain Wilson； as usual；
hoisted the float's lanterns to the topmast on the evening of the 1st of
February； but the moment that the light appeared on the rock； the crew；
giving three cheers； lowered them； and finally extinguished the lights。
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