The artificers laid the Sixty-fifth course to-day, forming the fourth or bed-room floor. They had, however, no extra hours’ work, a circumstance which had not occurred for several weeks before. Although, from the rapid progress which was now making with the Building, there was every prospect that it would be finished in the course of this year; yet, as the Light-room and its apparatus were very critical parts of the operation, which would necessarily fall to be transported to the Rock at a late period of the season, and were, consequently, liable to many casualties, it was proper to make provision for continuing the Floating-light for another winter, in case the light should not be exhibited from the Light-house. This vessel had now been on her station for three years; and as she lay at anchor in 19 fathoms water, it had, consequently, been impossible thoroughly to examine her bottom. What rendered her state more uncertain, was the condition of the logs of timber employed for supporting the temporary Railways on the Rock for nearly a similar period. These logs were of the common Norway-fir, and when laid down measured about ten inches upon each side; but after lying about three years on the Rock, they were so much wasted by the small insect formerly mentioned, that they would not now square to more than 7 inches, without leaving traces of the ravages of this animal, having thereby lost at the rate of about one-half inch on each side of sound timber per annum. Directions had been given to Mr John Reid, who, during the summer months, had the command of the Floating-light, and who was also professionally a ship-carpenter, to take a convenient opportunity of trimming the vessel, in such a manner as to give her a list first to one side and then to the other, so as to get her bottom as fully examined as possible. This having been done, Mr Reid intimated that he considered her in a sound state. The writer accordingly left the Beacon-house to-day, accompanied by the landing-master, to see some of the side-planks which had been dubbed or dressed with a carpenter’s adze, and, on examination, he had the satisfaction to find that they appeared perfectly fresh. This was a matter of some consequence to the work, as it must have been attended with great inconvenience, to have removed such a vessel as the Floating-light, and put another in her place, even for a short period. After this inspection, the writer returned to the Rock, having previously requested of Mr Reid to make a report in writing, which he did in the following terms:
“Pharos Floating-Light, off the Bell Rock,
30th June 1810.
“Sir,
“According to your orders, I have, on several occasions, during this month, careened the Float, and inspected her bottom as much as possible while the vessel is at anchor; but I can see no appearance of the wood-worm in any part of it. There is indeed plenty of sea-weed, mussels, and red-worms (creatures with many feet), but it is not this kind of worm that perforates the planks of shipping; and as this destructive animal generally makes its appearance between wind and water, I am apt to believe that the Pharos’ bottom is perfectly sound and healthy. With regard to the beam and knee observed to be working a little, I will send a note of the scantling of the timber that will be necessary for securing it, to Mr Dickie, the carpenter, at Arbroath. I, for one, have no objections to another winter on board, without further repairs; for though she rolls heavily in the trough of the sea, yet she has, upon the whole, been a very kindly ship to me.—I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
“To Mr Stevenson.
John Reid, Carpenter.”
1810, July.
Narrow escape of one of the Masons.
While William Kennedy, one of the masons, was stepping off the bridge into the entrance-door of the Light-house, one of the cast-iron slips of the balance-weight of the crane, weighing about 70 lb., fell from the top of the building and grazed his left shoulder, but, fortunately, in so gentle a manner, that it hardly ruffled the skin; a few inches nearer, it would have carried away his arm or killed him on the spot.
Sunday, 1st.