Geoscience Reference
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clouds.Allofthemthenwentoutsidetoobservetheheightofthewaterwhichcameout
of a blowhole, located not far from the building. The height of the water shooting out
oftheblowholealwaysgaveagoodindicationoftheforceandsizeofthewaveshitting
the west landing.
Afterwatchingoveraperiodoffortyminutesfromtheshelterofthebuilding,despite
one or two jets of water spraying out from the blowhole to a great height, Ducat nod-
ded to Marshall and Macarthur and suggested that the height of the water being ejected
seemed to be scaling down from the past few days. Marshall agreed with him and they
went to get their outside wear for the bad weather after having a quick cup of tea to
warm themselves before fully venturing out. Macarthur felt relieved in one respect that
he did not have to be involved in hauling the heavy box of ropes and other equipment
around the west landing area in what was still foul weather, but he was still angry, as
Ducathadnominatedhimtofirstpolishthemetalworkinthelighttowerbeforehewent
to get his head down in the late afternoon and then rising to start preparing their tea
as duty cook. After finishing their mugs of tea, Ducat put on his sea boots and his old
waterproof coat. Marshall also donned his sea boots but, unlike Ducat, he had a proper
oilskin, which was probably the best item of wear against the wild elements outside the
station. Macarthur heard the outside door close as the two men left before their voices
were cut off by the sound of the wind and rain outside as they shut the door and started
to walk towards the west landing.
As the two men approached the edge of the grassy area at the top of the rocky cliffs
above the west landing, Ducat first noticed that the set of railings which started at the
top were a strange shape. As they got closer they noted the turf appeared to have been
ripped up to reveal the soil beneath the grass, as if a giant hand had ripped up the grass
at the edge where the grass met the cliff. The metal railings were completely twisted at
the point where they started. Where they led along the cliff edge and then down along-
side the steps, some parts of the railings stood as normal and others were twisted and
pulledfromtheirfoundations,asifabadtemperedgianthadpunchedthemwithhisfist
and pulled at them as he had walked along. The damage was breathtaking and as Ducat
and Marshall surveyed the scene at the top of the cliff edge, both men were overawed
at the damage but also at the sheer massive force of the waves that must have reached
up well over 100ft to cause such damage. Ducat's heart sank when he looked down the
steps and saw that a lifebelt had been torn from the railings and had disappeared com-
pletely. Wordlessly he pointed it out to Marshall, who merely nodded. Over the wind
andrainbothmenstartedtotalkabouthowthenewswouldbetakenbyheadquartersin
84 George Street, Edinburgh. The stormy weather that they had endured over a number
of days did not appear to be abating. It had not been an overly violent storm, probably
nearer gale force, but the wave which had reached up and caused such damage must
