The Story of the Lighthouse and Bell Rock

The story begins early one summer morning with two Forfarshire fishermen, Big Swankie and Davy Spink, venturing out to sea^[1]. Their destination is the Inch Cape, also known as the Bell Rock, a site dreaded by mariners due to its unmarked, perilous location^[1]. The men anticipate finding wreckage from recent storms, and their initial dialogue hints at the dangers and potential rewards of scavenging in this area^[1].

Upon reaching the Bell Rock, the fishermen search for remains of shipwrecks^[1]. Big Swankie discovers a gully filled with debris and the body of an old man^[1]. He initially intends to notify his companion but instead examines the dead man's pockets, removing a ring, a gold watch, several gold rings and brooches from a red morocco case, a clasp-knife, a pencil-case, and a leather purse filled with sovereigns^[1]. This discovery leads to a moral conflict between Swankie and Spink, highlighting themes of greed and honesty^[1]. Spink insists on dividing the found items, leading to arguments and a coin toss^[1].

The story introduces Ruby Brand, a young sailor trying to avoid impressment into the Royal Navy^[1]. Ruby's struggles with the press-gang are driven because he promised his ailing mother that he would stay and take care of her^[1]. Ruby is later seen with his lover, Minnie, but their meeting is interrupted by the presence of a press-gang^[1]. To evade capture, Ruby leaps off a cliff into the sea, demonstrating his daring and resourcefulness^[1].

After diving into the sea, Ruby evades the press-gang by swimming to a cavern and climbing back up the cliffs, though he is briefly caught in a scuffle with one of the seaman^[1]. After getting free, Euby is met by the lieutenant, Minnie, and some of the men before making his final escape into Arbroath^[1].

After his father's death in a storm, Ruby decides to embark on a voyage in a small sloop to provide for his mother and adopted sister, Minnie^[1]. This decision is influenced by the constant threat of the press-gang and the need to support his family^[1]. Captain Ogilvy, Ruby's uncle, gives Ruby advice before his departure^[1].

The narrative touches on the social issues of the time, including the presence of wreckers who profited from shipwrecks and the lack of adequate coastal protection^[1]. The Bell Rock itself is described as a major cause of shipwrecks, emphasizing the need for a lighthouse^[1].

The story references a planned burglary by Big Swankie and a companion, highlighting the criminal underbelly of the town^[1]. After Swankie and the Badger commit the burglary, they try to frame Ruby for their crime by placing silver forks and sugar tongs in the front of Widow Brand's cottage^[1]. The detective ends up finding them and telling Captain Ogilvy, which amazes him^[1].

The narrative shifts to the historical context of lighthouse construction, mentioning the government's increasing attention to maritime safety^[1]. The decision to build a lighthouse on the Bell Rock is presented as a monumental challenge, given the rock's submerged state during high tide^[1]. The narrative briefly introduces Robert Stevenson, the engineer tasked with this ambitious project^[1].

A year passes, and Ruby Brand returns to Arbroath^[1]. He is ordered to remain in charge of the ship while the skipper goes ashore to avoid run ins with the press-gang^[1]. Upon returning to his hometown, he is faced with accusations of burglary. Despite his innocence, circumstances point to his guilt, prompting him to seek refuge by working on the Bell Rock lighthouse construction^[1]. Captain Ogilvy advises Ruby to leave and says that the local law sees Ruby as a burglar^[1].

Ruby engages to work at the Bell Rock in order to get out of harms way^[1]. He secures a position as an assistant-blacksmith, a trade he learned in boyhood, due to his uncle's connections^[1]. He boards the sloop "Smeaton," sailing towards the Bell Rock and a new chapter in his life^[1].