BELL ROCK BEACON
Drawn by W. Lorimer
Engd. by W. H. Lizars
PLATE VIII.
Pl. VIII.
Fig. 1. represents the Beacon-house, which was used as a barrack for the artificers during the working seasons of 1809 and 1810. Letter A A A is the surface of the Rock. The principal legs or beams, with their diagonal supports, radiating from the centre of the plan, are marked a a a a a a, and the bracing chains b b b, as completed in the year 1807. In 1808 the bracing-chains were removed, and the malleable iron-bars marked c c c were substituted. The dotted lines d d d d d, are intended to show the form of the upper or habitable part of the Beacon as it was ultimately finished, with its lantern, for ventilating the barrack-room. One of the figures characterised as sailors, and used for illustrating this elevation, is represented as standing upon the Rock, and laying hold of one of the bracing-chains. The next figure is ascending the trap-ladder, formed with cleats of timber nailed upon one of the principal beams; he is on a level with the mortar-gallery, marked letter e e e. The third figure is standing upon the cross or collar-beams, nearly on a level with the floor of the cook-room, marked f f. The fourth, or highest figure, is standing upon one of the principal beams, with his feet on a level with the top of the windows in the floor of the cabins of the engineer and his assistants marked g g; the head of this figure being within the artificers’ barrack, marked h h. With one hand he is supposed to be touching the provision-chest, marked i, and with the other he is laying hold of the rope for hoisting the copper signal-ball k upon the flag-staff.
Fig. 2. represents the gallery where the mortar-makers and smiths latterly worked. a a a a a a represent the principal beams of the Beacon cut across; b b b the position of the mortar tubs and lime-casks; c the smith’s anvil; d his bellows; e the hearth or fire-place.
Fig. 3. represents the floor of the cook-room, in which a a a a a a shew the principal beams cut across; b the platt or landing at the entrance-door; c c the coboose or cooking-hearth; d the chimney or smoke funnel; e e e e the provision casks; f the trap stair leading to the floor above; g g the small life-boat, suspended by davits from the principal beams of the beacon; i i i i i i the six angular upright posts cut across, marked d in Fig. 1., which form the framing of the hexagonal apartments or floors marked III. and IV. Letter k represents the position of the privy, and stair leading to it.