records of a family of engineers(一个工程师的家庭)-第18章
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mention of which might have had a bad effect upon the artificers； and his
haste passed for an anxiety to examine the apparatus of the smith's forge；
left in an unfinished state at evening tide。
In the course of this morning's work two or three apparently distant
peals of thunder were heard； and the atmosphere suddenly became thick
and foggy。 But as the SMEATON； our present tender； was moored at no
great distance from the rock； the crew on board continued blowing with a
horn； and occasionally fired a musket； so that the boats got to the ship
without difficulty。
＇Thursday； 20th Aug。＇
The wind this morning inclined from the north…east； and the sky had a
heavy and cloudy appearance； but the sea was smooth； though there was
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an undulating motion on； the surface； which indicated easterly winds； and
occasioned a slight surf upon the rock。 But the boats found no difficulty
in landing at the western creek at half…past seven； and； after a good tide's
work； left it again about a quarter from eleven。 In the evening the
artificers landed at half…past seven； and continued till half…past eight；
having completed the fixing of the smith's forge； his vice； and a wooden
board or bench； which were also batted to a ledge of the rock； to the great
joy of all； under a salute of three hearty cheers。 From an oversight on the
part of the smith； who had neglected to bring his tinder…box and matches
from the vessel； the work was prevented from being continued for at least
an hour longer。
The smith's shop was； of course； in OPEN SPACE： the large bellows
were carried to and from the rock every tide； for the serviceable condition
of which； together with the tinder…box； fuel； and embers of the former fire；
the smith was held responsible。 Those who have been placed in
situations to feel the inconveniency and want of this useful artisan； will be
able to appreciate his value in a case like the present。 It often happened；
to our annoyance and disappointment； in the early state of the work； when
the smith was in the middle of a FAVOURITE HEAT in making some
useful article； or in sharpening the tools； after the flood…tide had obliged
the pickmen to strike work； a sea would come rolling over the rocks； dash
out the fire； and endanger his indispensable implement； the bellows。 If
the sea was smooth； while the smith often stood at work knee…deep in
water； the tide rose by imperceptible degrees； first cooling the exterior of
the fireplace； or hearth； and then quietly blackening and extinguishing the
fire from below。 The writer has frequently been amused at the perplexing
anxiety of the blacksmith when coaxing his fire and endeavouring to avert
the effects of the rising tide。
＇Friday； 21st Aug。＇
Everything connected with the forge being now completed； the
artificers found no want of sharp tools； and the work went forward with
great alacrity and spirit。 It was also alleged that the rock had a more
habitable appearance from the volumes of smoke which ascended from the
smith's shop and the busy noise of his anvil； the operations of the masons；
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the movements of the boats； and shipping at a distance … all contributed to
give life and activity to the scene。 This noise and traffic had； however；
the effect of almost completely banishing the herd of seals which had
hitherto frequented the rock as a resting…place during the period of low
water。 The rock seemed to be peculiarly adapted to their habits； for；
excepting two or three days at neap…tides； a part of it always dries at low
water … at least； during the summer season … and as there was good fishing…
ground in the neighbourhood； without a human being to disturb or molest
them； it had become a very favourite residence of these amphibious
animals； the writer having occasionally counted from fifty to sixty playing
about the rock at a time。 But when they came to be disturbed every tide；
and their seclusion was broken in upon by the kindling of great fires；
together with the beating of hammers and picks during low water； after
hovering about for a time； they changed their place； and seldom more than
one or two were to be seen about the rock upon the more detached
outlayers which dry partially； whence they seemed to look with that sort of
curiosity which is observable in these animals when following a boat。
＇Saturday； 22nd Aug。＇
Hitherto the artificers had remained on board the SMEATON； which
was made fast to one of the mooring buoys at a distance only of about a
quarter of a mile from the rock； and； of course； a very great conveniency
to the work。 Being so near； the seamen could never be mistaken as to the
progress of the tide； or state of the sea upon the rock； nor could the boats
be much at a loss to pull on board of the vessel during fog； or even in very
rough weather； as she could be cast loose from her moorings at pleasure；
and brought to the lee side of the rock。 But the SMEATON being only
about forty register tons； her accommodations were extremely limited。 It
may； therefore； be easily imagined that an addition of twenty…four persons
to her own crew must have rendered the situation of those on board rather
uncomfortable。 The only place for the men's hammocks on board being
in the hold； they were unavoidably much crowded： and if the weather had
required the hatches to be fastened down； so great a number of men could
not possibly have been accommodated。 To add to this evil； the CO…
BOOSE or cooking…place being upon deck； it would not have been
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possible to have cooked for so large a company in the event of bad
weather。
The stock of water was now getting short； and some necessaries being
also wanted for the floating light； the SMEATON was despatched for
Arbroath； and the writer； with the artificers at the same time shifted their
quarters from her to the floating light。
Although the rock barely made its appearance at this period of the
tides till eight o'clock； yet； having now a full mile to row from the floating
light to the rock； instead of about a quarter of a mile from the moorings of
the SMEATON； it was necessary to be earlier astir； and to form different
arrangements； breakfast was accordingly served up at seven o'clock this
morning。 From the excessive motion of the floating light； the writer had
looked forward rather with anxiety to the removal of the workmen to this
ship。 Some among them； who had been congratulating themselves upon
having become sea…hardy while on board the SMEATON； had a complete
relapse upon returning to the floating light。 This was the case with the
writer。 From the spacious and convenient berthage of the floating light；
the exchange to the artificers was； in this respect； much for the better。
The boats were also commodious； measuring sixteen feet in length on the
keel； so that； in fine weather； their complement of sitters was sixteen
persons for each； with which； however； they were rather crowded； but she
could not stow two boats of larger dimensions。 When there was what is
called a breeze of wind； and a swell in the sea； the proper number for each
boat could not； with propriety； be rated at more than twelve persons。
When the tide…bell rung the boats were hoisted out； and two active
seamen were employed to keep them from receiving damage alongside。
The floating light being very buoyant； was so quick in her motions that
when those who were about to step from her gunwale into a boat； placed
themselves upon a cleat or step on the ship's side； with the man or rail
ropes in their hands； they had often to wait for some time till a favourable
opportunity occurred for stepping into the boat。 While in this situation；
with the vessel rolling from side to side； watching the proper time for
letting go the man…ropes； it required the greatest dexterity and presence of
mind to leap into the boats。 One who was rather awkward would often
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wait a considerable period in this position： at one time his side of the ship
would be so depressed that he would touch the boat to which he belonged；
while the next sea would elevate him so much that he would see his
comrades in the boat on the opposite side of the ship； his friends in the one
boat calling to him to ‘Jump；' while those in the boat on the other side； as
he came again and again into their view； would jocosely say； ‘Are you
there yet？ You seem to enjoy a swing。' In this situation it was common
to see a person upon each side of the ship for a length of time； waiting to
quit his hold。
On leaving the rock to…day a trial of seamanship was proposed
amongst the rowers； for by this time the artificers had become tolerably
expert in this exercise。 By inadvertency some of the oars provided had
been made of fir instead of ash； and although a considerable stock had
been laid in； the workmen； being at first awkward in the art； were
constantly breaking their oars； indeed it was no uncommon thing to see the
broken blades of a pair of oars floating astern； in the course of a passage
from the rock to the vessel。 The men； upon the whole； had but little work
to perform in the course of a day； for though they exerted themselves
extremely hard while on the rock； yet； in the early state of the operations；
th
