Despite its fearsome character, this rock constituted the most serviceable situation for a light, for the reason that, being a mile from the shore, it was free from land fogs and clouds. The decision of the authorities depended upon three factors only--that a landing could be made, the rock occupied, and the requisite building materials unloaded. The introduction of such a saving clause was politic, because at first it seemed as if the rock would defy the gaining of a foothold. The ghastly failure attending the survey, as described in a previous chapter, brought public opinion into dead opposition to the project, and many fearsome stories were circulated sedulously up and down the coast and among the towns fringing the Columbia River concerning the perils, hardships, and terrible death-roll, which would attend any attempt to place a beacon on this rock. After the disaster the authorities pressed forward the enterprise with greater vigour than ever, so as to get work well under way before public opinion would be able to make its influence felt upon the unsophisticated minds of workmen required to carry out the undertaking. A daring, determined, and energetic leader was secured in Mr. A. Ballantyne, and he was deputed to rally a force of eight or more highly skilled quarrymen with whom to proceed to Astoria, where the land headquarters were to be established. He was informed that upon arrival at this point he would find everything in readiness for his immediate departure to the rock, with all essentials to enable him to commence work at once and to provide quarters for the workmen, who would be compelled to suffer isolation and a certain amount of discomfort for weeks at a time. It was impossible to take more than a handful of men at first, owing to the difficulty of landing provisions. Mr. Ballantyne started off with his small picked force, reached Astoria on September 24, 1879, and there suffered his first check. The autumn gales had sprung up, rendering approach to the rock absolutely hopeless. There was no alternative; he must wait until the weather moderated. As this might be a question of a few hours, days, or perhaps a week or two, the chief grew anxious concerning his force. If the men, having nothing to do, wandered idly about the town, making acquaintance with all and sundry and listening to gossip, then they could not fail to be impressed with the extraordinary stories concerning dangers, hardships, perils, and adventures; would conclude that the Tillamook was a “hoodoo” rock; and would desert him promptly. To guard against this contingency, the quarrymen were hurried off and temporarily housed in the old light-keeper’s dwelling at the Cape Disappointment light, some miles away on the northern portal of the estuary, where they were safe from pernicious influences. [Illustration: THE TILLAMOOK ROCK LIGHT STATION FROM THE SOUTH.