272
STORES AND STOREHOUSES.
sure ; or, when in great haste, another pipe is fixed from thence into the hold of the ship, which in this manner receives its proper allowance of water, at a distance of 100 feet from shore. A few paces from the officers' quarters, stands a large building, 100 feet by 90 feet, used as a copper, steamer's, and lumber store ; attached to which are four semi-circular tanks, capable of holding ten tuns of water each. Passing from this, we came to the cordage, sail, canvass, and clothing store, of a similar size ; and opposite to which, at the distance of about ten feet, is the working masthouse, (100 feet square,) and joiners' loft above. In this building a party of men were busily employed in making a new mast for H. M. schooner, " Fair Rosamond," which, having met with an accident, a few days before, had put into Antigua to repair. Parallel with this building is another working mast-house, and joiners' loft above, of similar dimensions to the former, used also for the accommodation of the yard engines. Peeping into a snug little box, called the porter's lodge, and passing the guard house, store for condemned articles, and paint store, we entered the boat-house. By this time the sun had gained its meridian height, and poured a blaze of light over the whole yard, which, reflected from the white, sandy ground, dazzled my eyes with its powerful radiance, and oppressed me with its excessive heat. As I entered then this building, how delightful did its cooling air strike upon me !—how sweet was the breeze which passed over my brow, and allayed its throbbing ! while the gentle plash of the water sounded most musically to the ear. One part of the boat-house is floored ; the other has a channel cut in it to the depth of 18 feet, for the admission of the water. The roof is supported by 16 round stone pillars, of 12 feet in circumference; and above is a loft, where ships'-sails are kept.
Leaving the
boat-house, we entered the tar and block stores, where we