y m i f
I |E : H '
In
fi- '
290 CHANNEL i s l a n d s :
from Alderney than from the other islands. But I
must not dismiss the Caskets and their light-houses,
with so slight a notice as this. I purposed, had the
weather been favourable, to have visited the Caskets,
on leaving Alderney; but the wind and tide having
made the accomplishment of this purpose impossible?
I am obliged to rely for my description, upon such
authentic documents and information as were within
my reach. This was not difficult; since one intelligent
individual with whom I conversed, had visited the
Caskets more than twenty times.
The Caskets are well known to all navigators of the
English Channel; and ought not to be dismissed in a
single sentence,—for however small these rocky islets
are, still, they are Channel Islands. The Caskets are
about a mile in circumference, and have from 25 to 30
fathoms water round and close to them; so that a line
of battle ship may pass safely within an oar’s length of
the rock. The ripple on the water however, occasioned
by the velocity of the tide, is apt to create
a suspicion of hidden danger, in those who navigate
this part of the Channel for the first time. The rock
on which the light-houses are erected, is of a whitish
sand stone, and rises about thirty feet above the level
of the sea. The three light-houses are built in a
triangular direction: the two southernmost are about
fifty feet from each other; and the high light-house to
the north, is on the most elevated part of the rock,
about 150 feet north of the others. A triangular wall
incloses the three lights, and forms a parade, gravelled,
and kept in good order. The area contains a plot of
ground, where a few vegetables and fiowers are groAvn,
on exotic soil; a small house, for the accommodation
of the Trinity-house master, when he visits the establishment
; with a bakehouse, and conveniences for the
workmen, who are occasionally required to make
repairs. The two lower light-houses are capacious;
and are fitted to contain the store and provisions necessary
for winter,—during which season, it would be
often impossible to land.
There are two landing places for boats: one, the
work of nature, so formed, that a frigate might lie in
the little harbour, as in a dock; and here, steps are
cut in the rock, and facilities supplied for hauling up
boats. The landing places are practicable for boats,
only in calm weather. The Caskets are the only
triple lights in the Channel. In the year 1744,
October 5, the Victory, of 110 guns, commanded by
Admiral Sir John Butcher, with eleven hundred
sailors and marines, was lost on these rocks.
The glasses are frequently broken in stormy weather,
by birds, and by the sea; and in October 1823,
a violent storm altogether destroyed the lights.
It will be recollected, that in detailing the particulars
of my voyage to Alderney, I made mention of
the island of Berhou, which is separated from Alderney
by the swinge. This island is peculiarly interesting
to the naturalist: for here is found the bird sometimes
called the stormy petrel,—and familiarly known to
mariners, as mother Carey’s chicken. The only other
spots among the British isles, where it is to be found,
are, the Scilly Isles, and the Calf of Man. It is not
difficult on Berhou, to take the bird with the h an d :
but the attempt, Avhether successful or not, will be
N
ii
4
-I
I!