By permission of the Lighthouse Literature Mission.
THE DHU-HEARTACH LIGHTHOUSE.
To the left is the lower part of the temporary structure in which the builders lived while erection was in progress.
The engineers tried the rock from all sides to find a safe landing. This was no light matter, owing to the steepness of the slope even upon the easiest face of the pinnacle. The attempt represented a mild form of mountaineering, for the sea had battered away the projection of the lower-lying levels, and the men found it trying to effect a foothold, even in stepping from the boat on to the rock. They had to climb hand over hand up the precipice, with life-lines round their waists, taking advantage of every narrow ledge. With infinite labour they gained the summit, and then they found that there was just sufficient space, and no more, upon which to plant the lighthouse buildings.
The top was cleared quickly, and then the advance party set to work to improve the landing-place on the south side of the rock for the reception of the building materials. A small site was prepared with great difficulty, as the tough rock offered a stern resistance to the chisels, drills, and wedges; while in addition the men had to cut steps in the flank of the rock to facilitate the ascent to the site.
On September 14, 1854, the constructional vessel Pharos hove in sight, and, the weather being favourable, the landing of the material was hurried forward. The men had to become pack-animals for the time, carrying the loads on their backs. In this manner they tramped laboriously up and down the cliff-face with material and stores of all descriptions. The heavier and bulkier parts were hauled up by rope and tackle, a few feet at a time, and this task was quite as exacting. In all, 120 tons were conveyed to the top of the crag. Construction was hastened just as feverishly, and on October 11, 1854, twenty-six days after the Pharos anchored off Muckle Flugga, the North Unst light shone out for the first time. This is probably one of the most brilliant exploits that has ever been consummated in connection with lighthouse engineering, the merit of which is additionally impressive from the fact that almost everything had to be accomplished by manual effort.
While the light was admittedly of a temporary character, the importance of the outpost had been appreciated, and it was determined to erect a permanent light upon the rock for the guidance of those who compass the North of Scotland in order to pass from and to the North Atlantic. It was decided to commence the permanent masonry building the following year, and a gang of men volunteered to stay behind on the rock throughout the winter to complete all the essential preparations for the foundations. Accommodation was available for this staff in a substantial iron shelter, in which they made themselves comfortable for the winter.
But it is during this season that the winds from the north, lashing the sea to fury, create huge rollers which thunder upon the base of the pinnacle to crawl up its perpendicular face in the form of broken water and spray. The men standing on the brink often watched these rollers, but never for a moment thought that one would be able to leap to a height of nearly 200 feet and sweep over the rock. The December gales dispelled this illusion very convincingly. One morning the workmen, while breakfasting in their warm shelter, received a big surprise. A terrific blow struck the door, which flew open as if hit by a cannon-ball. It was followed instantly by a three-foot wall of water. The broken wave rushed round the apartment, seething and foaming, and then out again. The workmen were dumbfounded, but had scarcely recovered from the shock when another roll of water came crashing in and gave the apartment another thorough flushing out. One of the Scottish workmen vouchsafed the remark that the man responsible for cleaning the floors that day would be spared his job, but he was silenced when, a few seconds later, another angry sheet of water dropped on the roof of the building and threatened to smash it in.
THE NORTH UNST, BRITAIN’S MOST NORTHERLY LIGHT.