p BELL ROCK LIGHT-HOUSE. 161 



weighed from half a ton to two tons each. There are six distinct rooms ; 

 in the lowest is the fuel and water tanks, the second contains oil cisterns, 

 the third is used as a kitchen, the fourth is a bed room, the fifth is. the 

 library, and the sixth (which is entirely formed of iron) contains the 

 lights. 



The light is from oil, with argand burners placed on the faces of silver 

 plated reflectors, hollowed with extraordinary accuracy to the parabolic 

 curve, simply by the process of hammering; these reflectors measure 

 24 inches over the lips, and the light is so powerful that it can be readily 

 seen at the distance of 7 leagues, in fair weather. The Bell-rock light 

 may be easily distinguished from all others, by its showing a natural or 

 common bright light, alternately with a red coloured light. Two men 

 constantly reside in the building, and a third is stationed on a high tower 

 at Arbroath, and holds communications with the lighthouse by means of 

 signals. As the light in foggy weather is not visible at any considerable 

 distance, two large bells are hung in the building, and kept constantly 

 ringing at those times. These bells, each weighing about 12 cwt., are 

 tolled by the same machinery which moves the lights. 



To give some idea of the force which this light-house has to withstand, 

 it is only necessary to quote a passage from Mr. Stephenson himself. 

 " It is awfully grand, at the time of high water, to observe the sprays 

 rising on the building, and even to be on the rock at low water, when 

 ihe waves are about to break. Being, in a manner, only a few yards 

 distant, they approach as if they were about to overwhelm us altogether. 

 But now that we are accustomed to such scenes, we think little of it. 

 You will perhaps form a better idea of the force of the sea during these 

 gales, when I relate to you, that on 15th February, a large piece of lead 

 that was used as a back weight of the balance crane, weighing 4 cwt. 

 3 quarters 171bs., or nearly a quarter of a ton, was fairly lifted by the 

 sea, and carried a distance of six feet from the hole on which it had laid 

 since the month of August. It was found turned round with the ring 

 bolt downwards, and it was with great difficulty that four of us could 

 muster strength enough to return it to its former shelf on the rock." 



There is a legend connected with the Inchcape Bell, which most 

 veritably describeth, that once "a bloodie and remorsefull Pyrate" did, 

 in drunken frolic, steal from the " goode Abbotte" his warning Bell; 

 and for which " greate sinne" his vessel was afterwards driven on these 

 rocks, and all on board peri&hed : all of which is duly set forth in a 

 " righte dolefull" ballad. 



