y blocks and tackle were likewise laid to
hand and properly arranged. The men were severally allotted in squads
to different stations; some were to bring the principal beams to hand,
others were to work the tackles, while a third set had the charge of the
iron stanchions, bolts, and wedges, so that the whole operation of
raising the beams and fixing them to the rock might go forward in such a
mariner that some provision might be made, in any stage of the work, for
securing what had been accomplished, in case of an adverse change of
weather.

The raising of the derrick was the signal for three hearty cheers, for
this was a new era in the operations. Even that single spar, could it
be preserved, would have been sufficient to have saved the workmen on
that day when the _Smeaton_ broke adrift and left them in such peril.

This was all, however, that could be accomplished that tide. Next day,
the great beams, each fifty feet long, and about sixteen inches square,
were towed to the rock about seven in the morning, and the work
immediately commenced, although they had gone there so much too early in
the tide that the men had to work a considerable time up to their middle
in water. Each beam was raised by the tackle affixed to the derrick,
until the end of it could be placed or "stepped" into the hole which had
been previously prepared for its reception; then two of the great iron
stanchions or supports were set into their respective holes on each side
of the beam, and a rope passed round them to keep it from slipping,
until it could be more permanently fixed.

This having been accomplished, the first beam became the means of
raising the second, and when the first and second were fastened at the
top, they formed a pair of shears by which the rest were more easily
raised to their places. The heads of the beams were then fitted
together and secured with ropes in a temporary manner, until the falling
of the tide would permit the operations to be resumed.

Thus the work went on, each man labouring with all his might, until this
important erection was completed.

The raising of the first beams took place on a Sunday. Indeed, during
the progress of the works at the Bell Rock, the men were accustomed to
work regularly on Sundays when possible; but it is right to say that it
was not done in defiance of, or disregard to, God's command to cease
from labour on the Sabbath day, but because of the urgent need of a
lighthouse on a