42 PARTICULARS OF THE CONSTRUCTION 



guished architect, to excitepublic curiosity towards it: 

 the writer being satisfied, that the observing spectator 

 will never regret the time spent in its examination. 



"The many fatal accidents that were frequently hap- 

 pening to ships, by running upon the Eddy stone rocks, 

 made it very desirable to have a Lighthouse erected there- 

 on, for many years before a competent undertaker could 

 be found, as from the exposed situation of the rocks the 

 difficulties of building on them appeared insuperable." 



Smeaton. 



In the year 1696, Mr. Henry Winstanley, a gentle- 

 man of Littlebury in Essex, had the resolution to 

 undertake it. 



He first cut 12 holes in the rock to insert cramps or 

 bars of great strength ; not less than 3J inches diam- 

 eter. He then erected a solid pillar 14 feet diameter 

 and 12 high; cramped to the rock by these bars, and 

 afterward encircled his pillar with a stone wall, a foot 

 thick, thus increasing the diameter to 16 feet : which still 

 appearing unsafe, he encircled it with a new work 4 feet 

 thick, and carried the building 100 feet high ; only that 

 the lanthorn being supported on pillars, an open space 

 was left beneath it ; probably to let the sea escape 

 through without damaging the lanthorn. 



This lighthouse stood 7 years, and, with its projector, 

 was entirely washed away in a tremendous storm in 

 1703 ; seeming to have been overset bodily, and to have 

 carried with it a part of the rock to which it was cram- 

 ped. 



Three years after, namely in 1706 ; Mr. Rudyerd, a 

 silk-mercer, undertook the erection of anew lighthouse, 

 wherein, contrary to Mr. Winstanley 's plan, he resol- 

 ved on the greatest simplicity of form, contenting him- 

 self with the endeavour after firmness and solidity in 

 the structure, without attempting ornament. 



Mr. Rudyerd began by cutting the inclined face of 

 the rock into steps, presenting horizontal surfaces, 

 that any solid erected upon it might have no tendency 

 to slide ; a precaution apparently neglected by Mr. 

 Winstanley. 



