PLATE VI.
Pl. VI.
The description of this Plate, representing the higher parts of the Rock as seen at low-water of spring-tides, affords the writer an opportunity of mentioning many distinguished names connected either officially, or in a friendly manner, with the erection of the Light-house. In corresponding about the state of the Rock, he has often found the advantage of this particular nomenclature of its different parts, as affording a reference to all its localities.
Site of the Light-House, and Railway-Tracks.—The site of the Light-house, which will be seen from the Plate, was fixed by the writer in a central position of what may be termed the House-Rock. From this, as a centre, the Railways ramify in various directions. Upon these the materials for the erection of the house were conveyed, and they are still partly preserved, as convenient foot-paths and wharfs, in landing stores for the Light-house. The portions of the Railway-tracks marked with light dotted lines, were only used during the continuation of the works; while those of a deeper shade represent the permanent railways.
Site of Captain Brodie’s Beacon.—The late Captain Joseph Brodie, of the Royal Navy, was perhaps not less known to the public as the fortunate bearer of Lord Duncan’s dispatches announcing the victory obtained by the British fleet off Camperdown, than for his unwearied exertions in keeping up the interest of the public, relative to the important results to navigation which would attend the erection of a Light-house upon the Bell Rock, of which notice is taken at page [88].
Site of Mr Stevenson’s Beacon.—The position of the Beacon or temporary erection delineated in [Plate VIII.], was fixed upon the southern side of the site of the Light-house, with the ultimate view of obtaining shelter from the breach of the north-east seas. It was farther important, for the conveniency it afforded of a communication during the progress of the works, by means of a wooden bridge, which will be understood by examining [Plate XVIII.]
Haldane’s Ledge—is situate on the south-eastern side of the Rock, where the writer made his first landing with his friend Mr James Haldane, architect, as noticed at page [91].
Gray’s Rock.—Toward the eastern side of the Rock, there is a small outlier, or reef, important as a low-water-mark, which is named Gray’s Rock, in compliment to the late Mr John Gray, Writer to the Signet, and the first Secretary to the Light-house Board, as noticed in the Introduction, page [5].
Smith’s Rock,—situate on the eastern side of the Light-house, derives its name from the late Mr Thomas Smith, who introduced Reflecting-Lights upon the coast of Scotland; and was the first Engineer to the Board, as noticed at page [7].