II - OPERATIONS OF 1808
[Monday, 29th Feb.]

The writer sailed from Arbroath at one a.m. in the
Lighthouse yacht. At seven the floating light was hailed, and

all on board found to be well. The crew were observed to have
a very healthy-like appearance, and looked better than at the

close of the works upon the rock. They seemed only to regret
one thing, which was the secession of their cook, Thomas

Elliot - not on account of his professional skill, but for his
facetious and curious manner. Elliot had something peculiar

in his history, and was reported by his comrades to have seen
better days. He was, however, happy with his situation on

board of the floating light, and, having a taste for music,
dancing, and acting plays, he contributed much to the

amusement of the ship's company in their dreary abode during
the winter months. He had also recommended himself to their

notice as a good shipkeeper, for as it did not answer Elliot
to go often ashore, he had always given up his turn of leave

to his neighbours. At his own desire he was at length paid
off, when he had a considerable balance of wages to receive,

which he said would be sufficient to carry him to the West
Indies, and he accordingly took leave of the Lighthouse

service.
[Tuesday, 1st March]

At daybreak the Lighthouse yacht, attended by a boat from
the floating light, again stood towards the Bell Rock. The

weather felt extremely cold this morning, the thermometer
being at 34 degrees, with the wind at east, accompanied by

occasional showers of snow, and the marine barometer indicated
29.80. At half-past seven the sea ran with such force upon

the rock that it seemed doubtful if a landing could be
effected. At half-past eight, when it was fairly above water,

the writer took his place in the floating light's boat with
the artificers, while the yacht's boat followed, according to

the general rule of having two boats afloat in landing
expeditions of this kind, that, in case of accident to one

boat, the other might assist. In several unsuccessful
attempts the boats were beat back by the breach of the sea

upon the rock. On the eastern side it separated into two
distinct waves, which came with a sweep round to the western

side, where they met; and at the instance of their confluence
the water rose in spray to a considerableheight. Watching

what the sailors term a SMOOTH, we caught a favourable
opportunity, and in a very dexterous manner the boats were

rowed between the two seas, and made a favourable landing at
the western creek.

At the latter end of last season, as was formerly
noticed, the beacon was painted white, and from the bleaching

of the weather and the sprays of the sea the upper parts were
kept clean; but within the range of the tide the principal

beams were observed to be thickly coated with a green stuff,
the CONFERVA of botanists. Notwithstanding the intrusion of

these works, which had formerly banished the numerous seals
that played about the rock, they were now seen in great

numbers, having been in an almost undisturbed state for six
months. It had now also, for the first time, got some

inhabitants of the feathered tribe: in particular the scarth
or cormorant, and the large herring-gull, had made the beacon

a resting-place, from its vicinity to their fishing-grounds.
About a dozen of these birds had rested upon the cross-beams,

which, in some places, were coated with their dung; and their
flight, as the boats approached, was a very unlooked-for

indication of life and habitation on the Bell Rock, conveying
the momentary idea of the conversion of this fatal rock, from

being a terror to the mariner, into a residence of man and a
safeguard to shipping.

Upon narrowly examining the great iron stanchions with
which the beams were fixed to the rock, the writer had the

satisfaction of finding that there was not the least
appearance of working or shifting at any of the joints or

places of connection; and, excepting the loosening of the
bracing-chains, everything was found in the same entire state

in which it had been left in the month of October. This, in
the estimation of the writer, was a matter of no small

importance to the future success of the work. He from that
moment saw the practicability and propriety of fitting up the

beacon, not only as a place of refuge in case of accident to
the boats in landing, but as a residence for the artificers

during the working months.
While upon the top of the beacon the writer was reminded

by the landing-master that the sea was running high, and that
it would be necessary to set off while the rock afforded

anything like shelter to the boats, which by this time had
been made fast by a long line to the beacon, and rode with

much agitation, each requiring two men with boat-hooks to keep
them from striking each other, or from ranging up against the

beacon. But even under these circumstances the greatest
confidence was felt by every one, from the security afforded

by this temporaryerection. For, supposing the wind had
suddenly increased to a gale, and that it had been found

unadvisable to go into the boats; or, supposing they had
drifted or sprung a leak from striking upon the rocks; in any

of these possible and not at all improbable cases, those who
might thus have been left upon the rock had now something to

lay hold of, and, though occupying this drearyhabitation of
the sea-gull and the cormorant, affording only bread and

water, yet LIFE, would be preserved, and the mind would still
be supported by the hope of being ultimately relieved.

[Wednesday, 25th May]
On the 25th of May the writer embarked at Arbroath, on

board of the SIR JOSEPH BANKS, for the Bell Rock, accompanied
by Mr. Logan senior, foremanbuilder, with twelve masons and

two smiths, together with thirteen seamen, including the
master, mate, and steward.

[Thursday, 26th May]
Mr. James Wilson, now commander of the PHAROS, floating

light, and landing-master, in the room of Mr. Sinclair, who
had left the service, came into the writer's cabin this

morning at six o'clock, and intimated that there was a good
appearance of landing on the rock. Everything being arranged,

both boats proceeded in company, and at eight a.m. they
reached the rock. The lighthouse colours were immediately

hoisted upon the flagstaff of the beacon, a compliment which
was duly returned by the tender and floating light, when three

hearty cheers were given, and a glass of rum was served out to
all hands to drink success to the operations of 1808.

[Friday, 27th May]
This morning the wind was at east, blowing a fresh gale,

the weather being hazy, with a considerablebreach of sea
setting in upon the rock. The morning bell was therefore

rung, in some doubt as to the practicability of making a
landing. After allowing the rock to get fully up, or to be

sufficiently left by the tide, that the boats might have some
shelter from the range of the sea, they proceeded at 8 a.m.,

and upon the whole made a pretty good landing; and after two
hours and three-quarters' work returned to the ship in safety.

In the afternoon the wind considerably increased, and, as
a pretty heavy sea was still running, the tender rode very