Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

 ■ ■ ’ 384 ENGINEERING WONDERS OF THE WORLD. ing statements by Mr. W. T. Douglass. He says that during a severe north-west gale the heavy steam-winch, although protected by masonry and bolted to the landing-platform at the height of 22 feet above high water, was completely wrecked and washed away, nothing but the bolts and a portion of the bed-plate remaining. Again, a 12-inch iron block, fixed to the landing-jib at an elevation of 60 feet above high water, was struck by a heavy sea and swept away. Moreover, an iron cradle, suspended by massive chains beneath the lantern gallery at the height of 115 feet above high water, was torn from its fastenings and swallowed up by the sea. Mr. Douglass relates also the fol- lowing incident as illustrating further the What Ocean Waves have done. in exposed positions on On the morning after a the north-west in the violence of the sea the Scilly Islands, heavy storm from winter of 1886 he had occasion to visit Round Island, five miles away from the Bishop Rock. Large volumes of water had been driven over the summit of this island, 130 feet in height, and on the flat roof of the dwelling- house Mr. Douglass actually discovered a living limpet, as well as numerous small stones, carried by the force of the sea to an altitude of 143 feet above high water. In- stances such as these are sufficient to give some idea of the tremendous forces which have to be encountered by those who undertake the building of lighthouses in positions like that occupied by the Bishop Rock. ARRIVAL OF FIRST STONE OF THE BEACHY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE. (Photo, Messrs. Bullivants, Limited.}