ACCOUNT OF THE SUFFERINGS
ENDURED IN THE BASS.
See Memoirs of Fraser of Brea.
The
following is Fraser’s interesting description of his rocky prison
:
"The Bass is a very high rock in the sea, two miles distant from the
nearest point of the land which is south of it ; covered it is with grass on
the uppermost parts thereof, where is a garden where herbs grow, with some
cherry trees, of the fruit of which I several times tasted. Below which garden
there is a chapel for Divine service; but in regard no minister was allowed for
it, the ammunition of the garrison was kept therein.
Landing here is very
difficult and dangerous; for if any storm blow ye cannot enter, because of the
violence of the swelling waves, which beat with a wonderful noise upon the
rock, and sometimes in such a violent manner that the broken waves,
reverberating on the rock with a mighty force, have come up the walls of the
garrison on the court before the prisoners’ chambers, which is above
twenty cubits height: and with a full sea must you land; or if it be ebb, you
must be either craned up, or climb with hands and feet up some steps
artificially cut in the rock, and must have help besides of those who are on
the top of the rock, who pull you up by the hand.
Nor is there any place of
landing but one about the whole rock, which is of circumference some
three-quarters of a mile. Here may you land on a fair day and full sea without
great hazard ; the rest of it on every other aide is high and steep. On the
south side, where the rock falls a little level, you come first to the
governor’s house, and from that, some steps higher, you ascend to a level
court, where a house for prisoners and soldiers is. 