Subsequently this novel and, so far as it went, efficient method of “quick transit” was superseded when the men on the rock got their big derrick to work. The long arm of this appliance leaned over the water far enough to pick up the goods direct from the deck of the vessel moored off the rock. This system was quicker, and enabled the goods to be got ashore unsoiled. The first men to land found the rock in the occupation of sea-lions, who swarmed its scaly sides in huge numbers, even making their way to the crest to bask in the sunshine. These tenants at first resented the white man’s invasion, and were somewhat troublesome; but at last they recognized that their eviction was certain, so suddenly deserted in a body to another equally wild spot farther south. The first task was the preparation of the site for the building. The fist-like overhanging crest was attacked to prepare a foundation, thereby reducing the height from 120 to 91 feet. The rock surface was scarred and riven in a fantastic manner, owing to the scouring action of the waves eroding the soft portions leaving the hard rock behind in the form of needles, scales, and ugly crevices. The outer part of the rock, moreover, was found to be of an unreliable character, being more or less rotten, while the core, on the other hand, was intensely hard, and promised an excellent foundation for the beacon. The superfluous mass was removed by blasting, this being carried out with extreme care and in small sections at a time. The largest blasts did not remove more than 130 cubic yards, or tons, of débris at one time. This slow blasting, by handfuls as it were, was necessary so as not to shatter or impair the solidity of the heart of the rock, which was to support the buildings. Drilling and blasting were carried out in the face of great difficulties. Rain, rough seas, spray, and heavy winds, combined to thwart the little band of workers toiling strenuously in solemn loneliness upon this bleak crag. Often days would pass without any tangible impression being made upon the surface. The drilling holes would be swamped, and unless care was observed the powder charges ran the risk of being damped and rendered impotent or uncertain in firing. In the attack upon the crest the workmen distributed themselves around the crown. On the precipitous side, as there was not a friendly ledge on which to secure a foothold to work the drills, bolts were driven into the rock-face, from which staging was suspended by ropes, and on this swinging, crazy foothold the men drove their tools with salt fleece whirling round them.