ght, at about 250
fathoms astern, just as the landing-master's boat reached the vessel. He
immediately streamed or floated a life-buoy astern, with a line which
was always in readiness, and by means of this useful implement the boat
was towed alongside of the floating light, where, from her rolling
motion, it required no small management to get safely on board, as the
men were worn out with their exertions in pulling from the rock. On the
present occasion the crews of both boats were completely drenched with
spray, and those who sat upon the bottom of the boats to bale them were
sometimes pretty deep in the water before it could be cleared out. After
getting on board, all hands were allowed an extra dram, and, having
shifted and got a warm and comfortable dinner, the affair, it is
believed, was little more thought of.

Thursday, 27th Aug.

The tides were now in that state which sailors term the dead of the
neap, and it was not expected that any part of the rock would be seen
above water to-day; at any rate, it was obvious, from the experience of
yesterday, that no work could be done upon it, and therefore the
artificers were not required to land. The wind was at west, with light
breezes, and fine clear weather; and as it was an object with the writer
to know the actual state of the Bell Rock at neap-tides, he got one of
the boats manned, and, being accompanied by the landing-master, went to
it at a quarter-past twelve. The parts of the rock that appeared above
water being very trifling, were covered by every wave, so that no
landing was made. Upon trying the depth of water with a boat-hook,
particularly on the sites of the lighthouse and beacon, on the former,
at low water, the depth was found to be three feet, and on the central
parts of the latter it was ascertained to be two feet eight inches.
Having made these remarks, the boat returned to the ship at two p.m.,
and the weather being good, the artificers were found amusing themselves
with fishing. The _Smeaton_ came from Arbroath this afternoon, and made
fast to her moorings, having brought letters and newspapers, with
parcels of clean linen, etc., for the workmen, who were also made happy
by the arrival of three of their comrades from the workyard ashore. From
these men they not only received all the news of the workyard, but
seemed themselves to enjoy great pleasure in communicating whatever they
considered to be interesting with regard to the rock. Some also go