34 SMEATON'S LIGHTHOUSE ON THE EDDYSTONE. PART VI. 



have been laid down upon paper. After more than 

 two months' close work, the model was ready, when it 



was submitted to a meet- 

 ing of the proprietors and 

 unanimously approved, as 

 also by the Lords of the 

 Admiralty, before whom 

 it was afterwards laid. 

 The engineer then set out 

 for Plymouth to enter 

 upon the necessary ar- 

 rangements for preparing 

 the foundations, arrang- 

 ing with Mr. Roper, at 

 Dorchester, on his way, 

 for a supply of Portland 

 stone, of which it was 

 finally determined that 

 the lighthouse should 

 principally be built. 



Artificers and foremen 

 were appointed, working 

 companies arranged, ves- 

 sels provided for the transport of men and materials, 

 work-yards hired and prepared, and Mr. Jessop was 

 appointed the general assistant, or, as it is now termed, 

 the Resident Engineer, of the building. Mr. Smeaton 

 himself fixed the centre and laid down the lines on the 

 afternoon of the 3rd of August, 1756, and from that 

 time forward the work proceeded, though with many 

 interruptions, caused by bad weather and heavy seas. 

 At most, only about six hours' labour could be done at a 

 time ; and when the weather was favourable, in order 

 that no opportunity should be lost, the men proceeded 

 by torchlight. The principal object of the first season 

 was to get the dovetail recesses cut out of the rock for 

 the reception of the foundation-stones. To facilitate this 



SECTION OF SAIEATG^'S LIGHTHOUSE. 



