The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-01-20

new men off the rock. but after an hour
or two lines we're thrown to them, and
by jumping Into the sea they were res
cued. ~ iSfs ''Aas ssHs' = SO
p IA few rough measurements as to
the height and dimensions OF the rock
were made, but q more careful survey
was necessary, and for, this purpose
Mr.. John X. Trewavas, a masteT-masoh
Of high repute in Oregon, WAS asked to
undertake the measurements. The gem
tlcman had had a large experience in
lighthouse building in England.
''On the 18th day Of September, the
'COrwin'. with Mr. Trewavas and
party, came down from Astoris, The
day was beautifully calm. A boat was
rowed up near the east slope of the
rock, and watching his chance, q sailor
named Cherry leaped ashore ON the
lodges Mr.. Trcwavas, who was an
active man, next jumped to the rock.
Before he could gain time to climb up,
however, great wave suddenly up
lifted itself and swept him off.
-''Lines and buoys were at once
thrown to- him, but the unfortunate
gentleman was almost instantly sucked
down by the undertow, and disap-
peared. ,Seising lifeline. Cherry, with
a heroism rarely equaled, Owed boldly
offinto the boiling maelstrom afterhim,
and remained for some time in the
depths Of that black, dressry whirlpool,
trying to grasp him. but II vain. The
sailor was hauled OUT a. length by
means of the line, r,uch' exhausted.
$50 depressing aneeffoct did fine death
Of Mr.. Trewavas hsveyat Astoria, that
when man hired with the Light-bouse
Board to work at TillamooE, people
told him invariably that he was going
to his death. - ~
"A Mr.. BallantyneA succeeded Mr..
Trcwavas in the effort to make the sur
vey, and about month later the Cor
win again returned to the rock, this time
better equipped. A spar buoy was now
anchored just off the east side of the
rock; and after Cherry had again landed
on the east slope, a four-inch hawser
was slung from the deck of the steamer
to the peak of the rock, and along this
cable, by means of pulleys and lines, a
traveller for getting over both men and
material was rugged. - VI
"Yet so profoundly did the vessel
heave on the strong, turbulent water,
that at every lurch the middle of the
hawser, along with the traveller =,
dipped under, so that everything land
ded-the men as well-was soakedin
sea-water. y
"For hauling across the men, a de-
vice called the 'breeches-buoy' was
rugged, consisting Of pair Of stout
canvas breeches, with large circular
life preserver round the waist Of them
as a girdle. After buckling these upon
the person, the passenger was pulled
over, but never failed to get ducking,
and commonly landed sp1uttering and
blowing like aporpoise.
"It was finally decided by the engi-
neer to blast off twenty-six feet from
the summit of the rock, thus reducing
its height to ninety feet above sea level,
to form a fat foundation, or site, for
the stone light-tower, which II was pro-
posed to build on top of the rock. The
stone courses for the tower were cut
and numbered, ready for laying, 81
Astoria.
"On the twenty-sixth of October, ten
workmen, myself among them, with
Mr.. Ballantyne and good supply Of
food, blankets. tools, ETC., were landed
from the 'Corwin' as previously do.
scribed, and the work OF blasting of
the top of the rock began in good earn.
est. But am free to say that I hardly
expected to get off that ledge alive.
at took us fifteen days to drill il
for iron rods and ring bolts and built
stone house for our provisions
powder, tools, etc. For our own shell
ter, very thick. strong canvas double
tent was pitched at the top of the rock
dashed and secured every way by strong
lines to ring-bolts.
| 1.-THE work of blasting then began
1 Often, while getting round the ives
face of the cliff, We had to work from
swing-stages. suspended out ninet,
feet over those boiling, roaring waves
So tough was the basalt rock, that tn,
best drills of English.stesl required t
be re-sharpened for every two inches o
hole drilled! A blacksmith worked
constantly with as, sharpening drills
For the blasts giant powder wa
used: with each blast we were obliged
to retreat down the east side Of til,
rock. 'e '''''' t""
"Our orders at first were to pile tn
fragments of rock from the blasting
into the great assure on the south side
above spoken of, so as to fill it up. Blu
that idea was soon Abandoned; GU
filing would not stay there, for thougl
we tumbled rocks in there whicl
weighed many hundred pounds, tn
waves whisked them out as If they wer
chips. &" i1!'la
| 'Thus we went on there, day ATTIC
day, 'pecking' holes and blasting OF
rock which tumbled into the depth
below, with little to cheer us save tn
scream Of gulls, the harsh 'youk! youk
youk!" Of sea-lions, and the gurglinI
plunge of the water beneath us.
mot nice place to spend Thanks
giving, Christmas and the holidays
ehe The work never stopped. Tn
cutter came down oncs . week in gfai
weather, bringing fresh provisions ant
the mail, and getting our letters 70
home-folkA ft 5NE&A ~ fNs ~
| ION the first day OF, January, fv
new men were added 70 The force.
i stAt last came the storm of which
hegan to tell you. Il was on the nigh
/ of XB,o se,,o,xA - J.uws.r All X n