Description of the Ring-bar.
Instead of a continuous chain, as at the Edystone arches, the writer here introduced a flat-bar of the best Swedish iron into the Eighty-first course, having been previously connected in three pieces with scarf-joints and screwed bolts, with nuts. This bar was set on edge in the building: it measured 3 inches in depth, 1 inch in thickness, and was in weight about 400 lb. avoirdupois. This bar was fitted into a groove 3 inches in width, and 4 inches in depth, cut in the upper bed of the course. The bar having been heated as nearly as might be to the temperature of about 150 or 160 degrees of Fahrenheit, it was floated or run up flush with lead, in a very careful and complete manner by Mr John Gibson, plumber of Leith, who entered so much into the spirit of this work, that he attended the operation himself: no pains was, therefore, spared in having this body of melted lead properly connected with the circular bar of iron. By this means the iron was preserved from the accession of moisture, and, being much stronger than copper, it was preferred to that more ductile metal. The stones of this course were soon laid, but the artificers were occupied so long with the application of the ring-bar, that they had been at work from 4 in the morning till 8 in the evening. The Smeaton being discharged, sailed again for Leith, to take on board the last cargo of stones for the Light-house. The artificers could only receive 7 blocks of stone and 7 joggles to-day: the Hedderwick Praam-boat was accordingly left at her moorings with the remainder of the Smeaton’s cargo still on board.
Tuesday, 17th.
The Dome course occupies much time in laying.
The seamen landed 2 casks of pozzolano and lime, 4 joggles and 6 blocks of stone, which discharged the praam-boats. The artificers laid 8 stones of the Eighty-second course, forming part of the dome-roof of the library. This course consisted of 16 stones, which were attended with much more difficulty than those of the ordinary courses: from their projecting into the apartment, and being also more easily injured, they required more precaution in laying and in the fitting of the joggles. The artificers were therefore at work to-day from 4 in the morning till half-past 8 in the evening, in laying one-half of this course. From the prevalence of S. W. winds, the Patriot only reached Leith at one P. M. yesterday, and commenced loading this morning, when she took on board 32 pieces of stone. The Smeaton having also arrived at Leith this afternoon, both vessels were now off the station, and it was found necessary to dispatch one of the Floating-light’s boats to Arbroath, for a supply of pozzolano, lime, and sand, and also for provisions for the people at the Rock.
Wednesday, 18th.
Landing-master’s crew reduced in number.
The building-artificers laid the remaining 8 stones of the Eighty-second course to-day, and had three and a half hours of extra time. The landing-master’s crew having no materials to land upon the Rock, were employed to-day in collecting a variety of articles, and clearing the Building and Beacon of implements not now wanted, which were carried on board of the Tender. The Floating-light’s boat returned this afternoon from Arbroath, and immediately landed her cargo. The landing-master’s crew had for some time past been reduced to nine men, being little more than was necessary for working the Tender when she got under way; but at the Rock they had the daily assistance of a boat and five men from the Floating-light.
Thursday, 19th.
Patriot driven from the Rock.