As these piles were prepared on shore, their transference to the site was a pretty problem in itself. Ordinary methods of transport were impracticable. The engineer overcame the difficulty in an ingenious manner. He built up a raft of barrels, twenty-six of which were lashed together in two rows, between which the pile was laid flat and evenly. The raft was built upon peculiar lines, so as to facilitate the unshipping of the pile when it reached its destination. It was divided into four sections, each of which could be detached without disturbing the other three parts. The raft and its pile were towed out to sea by a steamer, and when the work was gained the raft was cast off, to be floated under the staging and to the exact point where it was to be set up. A chain sling was lowered from the platform and attached to the head of the pile, and the lashings to the first section of the raft were released, thus permitting the strapped barrels concerned to float away and to be recovered. The pile was then slowly and carefully hoisted at the head, the second part of the raft being released when the pile had gained a certain height. This procedure was repeated until finally, when the last part of the raft was freed, the pile hung free, as vertically true as a plumb-line, with the pointed foot resting on the sand. In order to send it truly into the sea-bed, heavy timber guides were set up, and as the pile descended it was frequently tested with the plummet, to see that it was sinking in an absolutely perpendicular manner. [Illustration: COMPLETING THE ONE FATHOM BANK LIGHTHOUSE IN THE MALACCA STRAITS. The keepers live on the lower floors. The upper floor beneath the lantern is the service room.]