Bell Rock Lighthouse ..Arbroath .. Stevenson Family COMPLETED THANK YOU

[New Zealander]

Bi Centenary of the Bell Rock Lighthouse.  The Stevensons designed or built a number of lighthouses and other structures around Scotland.

A documentary was shown on BBC Scotland TV on 1 February 2011.  See:-

 http://www.arbroathherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/the_bell_rock_to_star_in_new_bbc_documentary_1_956172

Did anyone record or have a copy of this program or know where it can be purchased??

Would dearly love a copy for family and historical reasons.

Cheers

Alex G

[HeatherLynne]

There's a programme on BBC IPlayer that could be it:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00y6hym/The_Lighthouse_Stevensons/  I don't know whether you'll be able to see it outside the UK tho 

Heather

[New Zealander]

Heather

Have found that but unfortunately will not let me access outside the UK .. bugga

Alex G

[New Zealander]

 

[hdw]

I'm sorry you can't get that programme in NZ. It was a good one. There's also a fascinating Bell Rock exhibition at the National Museums of Scotland here in Edinburgh.

If you'll excuse my nosiness, what's your connection to the Spink family? You may know already that there is a dedicated Spink (of Auchmithie and Arbroath) website, and also Auchmithie Roots, which is for all the Auchmithie families.

I have Spink ancestry too - more than one line.

Harry

[New Zealander]

Hello there

Thank you for your interest.

I will get that program shown on the BBC eventually.  Dont like to be beaten.  Someone will, have recorded it !!

My great grand mother was Rose Barbara Jane Spink born 09.09.1853.  She was the dauighter of David Spink (1820 - 1886) and Margaret Williamson Spink ( 1819 - 1909 ..nee Grant) who emigrated to New Zealand in 1874. 

David Spink was a light keeper on the Bell Rock from  January 1850 for 5 years 7 months.

I know of those websites that you mention.

Alex G

[kayrussell]

HI there Alex

Yes I have been recently back into the researching of our relatives (Palmers, Spink, Stuart/Stewart. Bruce and other various branches).
Been amazed by some of the well-known names in history that have popped up in our family.

Kaylene (nee Palmer)

[hdw]

A James Spink was the Bell Rock pilot. I found this on a Bell Rock website -

The Scotsman, 15 Dec 1832

The Bell Rock Pilot. - James Spink died at Arbroath on the 9th curt. aged 85. He is prominently noticed in the Account of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, connected with the operations on the 2nd September 1807, when he providentially arrived at the rock with letters from the shore, and was the means of saving the lives of the Engineer and 31 Artificers - at a time when the Tender had drifted, and the tide was fast rising upon them! For this service he was allowed a small pension from the Lighthouse Board. Spink was a very trusty pilot, and a fine example of a tall robust fisherman, whose figure in his pilot's dress and large bonnet has been well preserved by Howe, in a full length, leaning upon his boat with the Bell Rock Lighthouse in the distance. The pilot's jacket and badge were laid upon the mort-cloth at his funeral, which was attended by several of the principal merchants and shipmasters of Arbroath, and by the master and crew of the Pharos Bell Rock Tender.

Harry

[Skoosh]

The Bell Rock story is in "Records of a Family of Engineers!" by R.L.Stevenson. Chatto & Windus, 1912. You might read it online or try Amazon.

Bests,
Skoosh.