Notes on the natural history of the Bell RockCampbell, J. M. (John MacLean)
History
Notes on the natural history of the Bell Rock
Campbell, J. M. (John MacLean)
Lighthouses -- Natural history; Natural history -- Scotland -- Bell Rock
As a consequence of the stormy weather which has been prevailing here
of late, we have been visited by numerous “Travellers.” This may seem
strange considering the inclemency of the season, but stranger still
when it is known that our reception of them is fiercely hostile,
and our duty only considered accomplished when we have completely
annihilated them. Huge boulders of hard red sandstone, sometimes
weighing over three tons; these are our “Travellers,” and their
appearance on the Rock is at once resented and their speedy removal
effected by blasting and hammering whenever the tide and weather
permits. This is absolutely necessary, for if allowed to remain
lying in the boat tracks they constitute a serious danger at relief
times, besides the possibility of their carrying away portions of our
cast-iron grating, which occasionally does happen in spite of all
precautions. Where they come from is a mystery; ever since the tower
was built they have been in evidence. Although composed of the same
material, the Rock itself does not suffer any apparent diminution, nor
can their original abode be located even at the lowest tides. Many of
them carry a crop of seaweed and tangles, and have their angularities
rubbed down and water-worn; none of them, however, bear any trace of
recent detachment, but probably from their similarity of structure they
at some remote period formed a part of the reef. They generally effect
their entrance from the south side of the reef during the prevalence of
a heavy ground swell. This side of the reef forms a steep declivity,
sloping to 35 fathoms at a distance of ¾ mile, while at a similar
distance on the north side the depth, though not exceeding 11 fathoms,
presents a more precipitous barrier to these wanderers of the deep. A
dull, rumbling noise, distinctly audible in the light room, announces
their presence at the base of the tower, and at low water a dotted
line of chips and abrasions marks their passage across the Rock to
where they are again hurled to the depths. Others, again, may bring up
in some sheltered corner, where, if not considered dangerous, they may
remain a fixture for years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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