Direction of the seas which have most effect upon the Light-house.
“All the observations which I have made regarding the effects of the seas and weather on the Light-house, while I have been here, lead me to conclude, that when the wind is from the S., S.W., W., N.W., and even N., the sea has little effect on the building; but, from south to north-easterly, the force of the waves is considerable, especially when it comes to blow hard. During the gale of the 22d February, I remarked, that even the heaviest seas, if they broke before they came to the foot of the building, slipped past without giving the least shock to the house; and it is only a very few of the waves that reach the building, in the course of a tide, which cause the vibration alluded to; but we fear those seas only which come from the NE., as they break close upon the house. I may say, in general, that the higher or stronger the wind is, the less power the sea has on the Light-house; the heaviest seas being accompanied with little wind, or occurring after the gale has abated.
Comfortable state of the building.
“With regard to the comfort of this building as a dwelling, I had no other expectation but that, on account of the sea-air, and newness of the walls, the house would have, in the first instance, been damp. It is, however, the very reverse of this, and I may confidently say, that it is as dry round the inside walls, and on the floors, as any house in Edinburgh. This may be chiefly occasioned by the smoke-tube which passes from the kitchen through the upper floors to the cupola of the Light-room, which contributes greatly to the dry state of the building; but we even find the store-rooms and stair-case, which, as yet, have not the benefit of a fire, also comparatively free of dampness. As a proof of this, it may be noticed, that the lower parts of the house dry pretty readily when the floors are washed, excepting, indeed, when a heavy sea runs, and some water comes in at the checks of the windows, and partially wets the lower apartments. It is, however, impossible entirely to keep out wetness at windows, which, for conveniency, must be made to open, especially when so great a body of water occasionally presses upon them. As to the warmth of the house, ever since we got The Jacob’s ladder taken down, and the Entrance-door shut, we have been very comfortable. I never heard the least complaint on this head from any of the Light-keepers, and it is a general remark that we are warmer here than ashore.
Qualifications of the Light-keepers.
“With regard to your inquiries about the Light-keepers, I may remark, that Mr John Reid, the principal keeper, appears to like his situation very well, though, at first, when the sea struck hard upon the building, he seemed rather sad, and was perhaps not so confident about it. When he was in that mood, I used to cheer him by telling him it was only a fancy; and as he is a very sensible man, and originally bred a seaman and carpenter, his mind readily complies with a belief in our safety. Mr John Bonyman, the principal assistant, appears to take well with his situation; and having been personally employed as a mason from first to last in the erection, and more fully understanding its nature, he always keeps himself very easy upon this point. Mr Henry Leask, though formerly a shipmaster, yet having for several years been a light-keeper, has been much at home with his family, and his attention is naturally drawn more towards them; however, he appears quite satisfied, though he does not speak very confidently about our habitation, but shrugs up his shoulders, and looks strange when he feels the tremor of the house. As to their qualifications as light-keepers, I have not the least hesitation in stating, that Mr Reid and his assistants are now fully competent for their duty. We proceed agreeably to our written instructions, though there are some parts of them which I shall take the liberty of submitting to you for alteration.
1811, April.
Manner in which they spend their time.
“I will now let you know how we come on with what I may call our domestic life. When the duty of the house is over for the day, we generally take a walk on the waggon-ways, and search about the crevices of the rock for small fishes, when the state of the tides and weather permit; but when that is not the case, we content ourselves without it, and find amusement in reading a small library, consisting of about a dozen of volumes of one kind or other, collected among us; and you know we have the progressive numbers of the Scots Magazine and the Weekly Chronicle, which we receive as regularly as the situation of the place will admit. I may further notice, that it gives the Light-keepers much pleasure to learn that Mr Slight has received orders, in fitting up the strangers’ room, to provide it with a book-case, which we understand the Commissioners are to supply with books. On Sunday, we attend to the general rule of the service, doing no more work in the Light-room than is necessary, cleaning only the reflectors, lamp-glasses and windows, operations which are usually over at this season about 12 o’clock, after which we meet for prayers, and read two or three chapters of the Bible.