Passing over the daily details of the work, we arrive at the 29th of July, as one of the epoch days of the undertaking. The last stone was landed on the Bell Rock, and you may be sure such an occasion was duly celebrated. On the 30th, the last course (the 90th) of the building was laid, finishing the exterior wall, and the engineer then solemnly pronounced a suitable benediction: “May the Great Architect of the Universe, under whose blessing this perilous work has prospered, preserve it as a guide to the mariner!”
BELL ROCK LIGHTHOUSE.
With the minute particulars recorded by Stevenson of the completion of the interior of the building, it is needless to weary the reader. Their technicalities would puzzle him, and in their prolonged detail we can find nothing to excite his interest. He will understand that Stevenson neglected nothing which could ensure the safety and efficiency of his structure, and on the 17th of December 1810, the following advertisement intimated to the public that his enterprise had been successful, and that thenceforth the perils of the Bell Rock would virtually cease to exist:—
“A lighthouse having been erected upon the Inch Cape, or Bell Rock, situated at the entrance of the Firths of Forth and Tay, in north latitude 56° 29´ and west longitude 2° 22´,—The Commissioners of the Northern Lighthouses hereby give notice, that the light will be from oil, with reflectors, placed at the height of about 108 feet above the medium level of the sea. The light will be exhibited on the night of Friday, the 1st day of February 1811, and each night thereafter, from the going away of daylight in the evening until the return of daylight in the morning. To distinguish this light from others on the coast, it is made to revolve horizontally, and to exhibit a bright light of the natural appearance, and a red-coloured light alternately, both respectively attaining their greatest strength, or most luminous effect, in the space of every four minutes; during that period the bright light will, to a distant observer, appear like a star of the first magnitude, which after attaining its full strength is gradually eclipsed to total darkness, and is succeeded by the red-coloured light, which in like manner increases to full strength, and again diminishes and disappears. The coloured light, however, being less powerful, may not be seen for a time after the bright light is first observed. During the continuance of foggy weather, and showers of snow, a bell will be tolled by machinery, night and day, at intervals of half a minute.”
It was found that this light could be clearly seen and recognized, in fair weather, at a distance of seven leagues.
The Bell Rock Lighthouse, thus happily completed, is a circular building, 42 feet in diameter at the base, and 13 feet at the top. The masonry is 100 feet high, and the whole structure, including the light-room, 115 feet. From the entrance door, a circular stair leads to the first apartment, which is used as a store-room. Wooden steps ascend to the other apartments, which are appropriated to the light-keepers, and to the appurtenances of the lighting apparatus. The light-room, which is formed of cast iron, and glazed with polished glass, is octagonal in shape, 12 feet in diameter, and 15 feet in height. It is covered with a dome, and terminates in a ball.