The erection of this lighthouse was not without one humorous incident. While the lantern apparatus was being set in position, a plumber was sent to the rock. He spent one day and night there, a period that proved to be more than enough for him. The murmuring of the waves lost all their musical glamour for him when he was imprisoned on a wild, isolated, wind-and-wave-swept eyrie. He did not get a wink of sleep, and was scared nearly out of his wits. When morning broke, and the men were turned out of their bunks, the plumber expressed his fixed determination to return to the shore at once. His companions laughed at his fears, ridiculed his anxieties, coaxed and upbraided him in turn. It was of no avail. He would not do another stroke of work. Realizing the hopelessness of such a workman, the engineer in charge signalled the mainland for assistance. The steamer could not put out, but the lifeboat, not understanding the import of such an unusual call, made the dangerous pull to the rock, to ascertain what was the matter. When they found that it was to take off a scared workman, their feelings may be imagined. The demoralized plumber was bundled into the lifeboat and rowed back to shore. The blood did not return to his face, nor did he collect his scattered wits, until he planted his two feet firmly on the mainland, when he very vehemently and picturesquely expressed his determination never to accept a job in such a forsaken place again. The old tower was reduced to the level of its solid base, and converted into an oil-store. The finishing touches were applied to the new tower, and on June 27, 1906, the scintillating and penetrating ray of the present Fastnet was shown for the first time. It is a magnificent light, and, being the latest expression of British lighthouse engineering upon a large scale, compels more than passing interest. The light is fully in keeping with the importance of the spot it marks, and the £84,000, or $420,000, which it cost has been laid out to excellent purpose. The light and fog-signal station is tended by six keepers, four being on the rock simultaneously, and two ashore. The latter constitute the relief, which is made twice a month if the weather permits, the service being one month on the rock, followed by a fortnight on shore. One keeper has day duty, maintaining a lookout for fog and to signal passing ships; two are on duty at night, the one having charge of the light and its operation, while his comrade devotes his attention to signalling ships and watching the weather. When a mist creeps over the light, the fourth keeper is called up to manipulate the explosive fog-signal. The lighthouse, being an important landfall, is a signalling-station for Lloyd’s, and is also fitted with wireless telegraphy, wherewith the movements of outgoing and incoming vessels are reported to the mainland for notification to all parts of the world. CHAPTER X LIGHTHOUSES BUILT ON SAND