records of a family of engineers(一个工程师的家庭)-第23章
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In the dismal prospect of undergoing another night like the last； and
being in imminent hazard of parting from our cable； the writer thought it
necessary to advise with the master and officers of the ship as to the
probable event of the vessel's drifting from her moorings。 They severally
gave it as their opinion that we had now every chance of riding out the
gale； which； in all probability； could not continue with the same fury many
hours longer； and that even if she should part from her anchor； the storm…
sails had been laid to hand； and could be bent in a very short time。 They
further stated that from the direction of the wind being N。E。； she would
sail up the Firth of Forth to Leith Roads。 But if this should appear
doubtful； after passing the Island and Light of May； it might be advisable
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at once to steer for Tyningham Sands； on the western side of Dunbar； and
there run the vessel ashore。 If this should happen at the time of high…water；
or during the ebbing of the tide； they were of opinion； from the flatness
and strength of the floating light； that no danger would attend her taking
the ground； even with a very heavy sea。 The writer； seeing the
confidence which these gentlemen possessed with regard to the situation
of things； found himself as much relieved with this conversation as he had
previously been with the seeming indifference of the forecastle men； and
the smile of the watch upon deck； though literally lashed to the foremast。
From this time he felt himself almost perfectly at ease； at any rate； he was
entirely resigned to the ultimate result。
About six o'clock in the evening the ship's company was heard moving
upon deck； which on the present occasion was rather the cause of alarm。
The writer accordingly rang his bell to know what was the matter； when he
was informed by the steward that the weather looked considerably better；
and that the men upon deck were endeavouring to ship the smoke…funnel
of the galley that the people might get some meat。 This was a more
favourable account than had been anticipated。 During the last twenty…
one hours he himself had not only had nothing to eat； but he had almost
never passed a thought on the subject。 Upon the mention of a change of
weather； he sent the steward to learn how the artificers felt； and on his
return he stated that they now seemed to be all very happy； since the cook
had begun to light the galley…fire and make preparations for the suet…
pudding of Sunday； which was the only dish to be attempted for the mess；
from the ease with which it could both be cooked and served up。
The principal change felt upon the ship as the wind abated was her
increased rolling motion； but the pitching was much diminished； and now
hardly any sea came farther aft than the foremast： but she rolled so
extremely hard as frequently to dip and take in water over the gunwales
and rails in the waist。 By nine o'clock all hands had been refreshed by
the exertions of the cook and steward； and were happy in the prospect of
the worst of the gale being over。 The usual complement of men was also
now set on watch； and more quietness was experienced throughout the
ship。 Although the previous night had been a very restless one； it had not
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the effect of inducing repose in the writer's berth on the succeeding night；
for having been so much tossed about in bed during the last thirty hours；
he found no easy spot to turn to； and his body was all sore to the touch；
which ill accorded with the unyielding materials with which his bed…place
was surrounded。
＇Monday； 7th Sept。＇
This morning； about eight o'clock； the writer was agreeably surprised
to see the scuttle of his cabin sky…light removed； and the bright rays of the
sun admitted。 Although the ship continued to roll excessively； and the
sea was still running very high； yet the ordinary business on board seemed
to be going forward on deck。 It was impossible to steady a telescope； so
as to look minutely at the progress of the waves and trace their breach
upon the Bell Rock； but the height to which the cross…running waves rose
in sprays when they met each other was truly grand； and the continued
roar and noise of the sea was very perceptible to the ear。 To estimate the
height of the sprays at forty or fifty feet would surely be within the mark。
Those of the workmen who were not much afflicted with sea…sickness；
came upon deck； and the wetness below being dried up； the cabins were
again brought into a habitable state。 Every one seemed to meet as if after
a long absence； congratulating his neighbour upon the return of good
weather。 Little could be said as to the comfort of the vessel； but after
riding out such a gale； no one felt the least doubt or hesitation as to the
safety and good condition of her moorings。 The master and mate were
extremely anxious； however； to heave in the hempen cable； and see the
state of the clinch or iron ring of the chain…cable。 But the vessel rolled at
such a rate that the seamen could not possibly keep their feet at the
windlass nor work the hand…spikes； though it had been several times
attempted since the gale took off。
About twelve noon； however； the vessel's motion was observed to be
considerably less； and the sailors were enabled to walk upon deck with
some degree of freedom。 But； to the astonishment of every one； it was
soon discovered that the floating light was adrift！ The windlass was
instantly manned； and the men soon gave out that there was no strain upon
the cable。 The mizzen sail； which was bent for the occasional purpose of
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making the vessel ride more easily to the tide； was immediately set； and
the other sails were also hoisted in a short time； when； in no small
consternation； we bore away about one mile to the south…westward of the
former station； and there let go the best bower anchor and cable in twenty
fathoms water； to ride until the swell of the sea should fall； when it might
be practicable to grapple for the moorings； and find a better anchorage for
the ship。
＇Tuesday； 15th Sept。＇
This morning； at five a。m。； the bell rung as a signal for landing upon
the rock； a sound which； after a lapse of ten days； it is believed was
welcomed by every one on board。 There being a heavy breach of sea at the
eastern creek； we landed； though not without difficulty； on the western
side； every one seeming more eager than another to get upon the rock； and
never did hungry men sit down to a hearty meal with more appetite than
the artificers began to pick the dulse from the rocks。 This marine plant
had the effect of reviving the sickly； and seemed to be no less relished by
those who were more hardy。
While the water was ebbing； and the men were roaming in quest of
their favourite morsel； the writer was examining the effects of the storm
upon the forge and loose apparatus left upon the rock。 Six large blocks
of granite which had been landed； by way of experiment； on the 1st instant；
were now removed from their places and； by the force of the sea； thrown
over a rising ledge into a hole at the distance of twelve or fifteen paces
from the place on which they had been landed。 This was a pretty good
evidence both of the violence of the storm and the agitation of the sea
upon the rock。 The safety of the smith's forge was always an object of
essential regard。 The ash…pan of the hearth or fireplace； with its weighty
cast… iron back； had been washed from their places of supposed security；
the chains of attachment had been broken； and these ponderous articles
were found at a very considerable distance in a hole on the western side of
the rock； while the tools and picks of the Aberdeen masons were scattered
about in every direction。 It is； however； remarkable that not a single
article was ultimately lost。
This being the night on which the floating light was advertised to be
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lighted； it was accordingly exhibited； to the great joy of every one。
＇Wednesday； 16th Sept。＇
The writer was made happy to…day by the return of the Lighthouse
yacht from a voyage to the Northern Lighthouses。 Having immediately
removed on board of this fine vessel of eighty…one tons register； the
artificers gladly followed； for； though they found themselves more
pinched for accommodation on board of the yacht； and still more so in the
SMEATON； yet they greatly preferred either of these to the PHAROS； or
floating light； on account of her rolling motion； though in all respects
fitted up for their conveniency。
The writer called them to the quarter…deck and informed them that；
having been one mouth afloat； in terms of their agreement they were now
at liberty to return to the workyard at Arbroath if they preferred this to
continuing at the Bell Rock。 But they replied that； in the prospect of
soon getting the beacon erected upon the rock； and having made a change
from the floating light； they were now perfectly reconciled to their
situation； and would remain afloat till the end of the working season。
＇Thursday； 17th Sept。＇
The wind was at N。E。 this morning； and though they were only light
airs； yet there was a pretty heavy swell coming ashore upon
