Some consider it a modern Roanoke. The ancients didnt have glass windows (or even a lens) until the 1st century AD. However, many accepted this sacrifice as a way of life. Its not difficult to imagine how scary the nights that followed were for him, alone in the light room, listening to the wind howling all around as the revolving lamp cast shadows. On the 26th December 1900, a small ship was making its way to the Flannan Islands in the remote Outer Hebridies. A rogue or freak wave, is one of the more popular modern hypotheses to explain the missing men. From the moment he was discovered, the little Inuit baby captured hearts with his photograph plastered on magazines and As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. In his book, A Natural History of Lighthouses, Love took on the mystery and pieced it together in a more coherent and organized manner. The disappearance at Eilean Mor Lighthouse. That is, except for the lighthouses log. Was Athelstan England's First and Greatest King? Nothing amiss was mentioned, but the fact that the lighthouse had not been operational that evening strongly implied that this was the day they disappeared. Its many caves and gullies cause waves driven by huge swells to explode violently. about Why is the 13th Century Kelburn Castle covered in Colorful Graffiti? 7 Legendary Cryptids that Turned Out to Be Real! There was no sign of any of the keepers, neither inside the lighthouse nor on the island. The strange and sad story of the lighthouse keepers is still remembered today. Furthermore, why had all three lighthouse staff left their posts at the same time, when rules and regulations strictly prohibited it? Unfortunately, being a lighthouse keeper isnt all that its cracked up to be. Marshall wrote: Severe winds, the likes of which I have never seen before in twenty years. It was enough to startle the men into prayer. After satisfying myself that everything connected with the light was in good order and that the men landed would be able to maintain the light, I proceeded to ascertain, if possible, the cause of the disaster and also took statements from Captain Harvie and Mr McCormack the second mate of the HESPERUS, Joseph Moore, third Assistant keeper, Flannan Islands and Allan MacDonald, Buoymaster and the following is the result of my investigations:-. Follow the trail for more maritime history. In 1920, an American magazine published the following as the final entries: Dec. 12: Gale, north by north-west. I was with the Keepers for more than a month during the summer of 1899, when everyone worked hard to secure the early lighting of the Station before winter, and, working along with them, I appreciated the manner in which they performed their work. The Commissioners appointed Roderick MacKenzie, Gamekeeper, Uig, near Meavaig, to look out daily for signals that might be shown from the Rock, and to note each night whether the light was seen or not seen. Also unfortunately, (to reiterate) being a lighthouse keeper is not meant for the faint of heart. When returning to the mainland, many of the locals speculated what happened to the men. Loves research also suggested that Thomas Marshall was fined for negligence in the past and had to pay a fine of five shillings after equipment was swept away by a fierce storm. A track came down from the lighthouse in a westerly direction and then curved round to the south. The difference? The last record left by the men was on the morning of December 15, 1990, chalked on the slate where they noted down weather conditions and their daily activities, which included trimming the lighthouse lamp, filling its oil fountains and cleaning the giant lenses. In the dead of winter, a beloved member of the Bronx community, Anndrea Caruth, goes missing. Stormy weather and deadly waves. Fired a rocket but, as no response was made, managed to land Moore, who went up to the Station but found no Keepers there. They then rotated to other lighthouses. Furthermore, why had all three lighthouse staff left their posts at the same time, when rules and regulations strictly prohibited it? Its rumored that the saint, along with his followers, left the island due to supernatural sightings of fairy folk. The only thing the saint and his congregation left behind was his church and a flock of sheep (there was a good amount of grass for them to munch on). Eilean Mr is home to the lighthouse and a ruined chapel dedicated to Saint Flannn, which the lighthouse keepers referred to as the "dog kennel" because of its small size. When at Flannan Islands so lately as 7th December last, I had a conversation with the late Mr Ducat regarding the signals, and he stated that he wished it would be necessary to hoist one of the signals, just to ascertain how soon it would be seen ashore and how soon it would be acted upon. He ran back to the ship to inform Captain Harvey, who subsequently ordered a search of the islands for the missing men. The ancients didnt have glass windows (or even a lens) until the. Because of its reputation andthe superstition surrounding it, rituals such as circling the church on your knees were adopted by the locals. One-hundred and twenty years passed. There was a definite presence: An aura that undeniably shrouded the island. His prophecies were so impressive that they are still quoted to this day. However, whether they were swept away by a storm-induced wave or taken by mysterious fairy folk that good old St. Flannan saw, it doesnt soften the fact that three men were lost. I would recommend that the Signalman should be instructed that, in future, should he fail to observe the light when, in his opinion, looking to the state of the atmosphere, it should be seen, he should be instructed to intimate this to the Secretary, when the propriety of taking steps could be considered. Got to keep that back-up family on deck. ( Public Domain ) The Eilean Mor lighthouse was created at the tallest point of the island following several shipwrecks. The purpose of the railway tracks was to help the transport of provisions for the keepers and paraffin fuel for the light on the lighthouse. It was a worldwide phenomenon during Prehistoric times for people to bury their dead under mounds (which are also known as tumuli ). ( CC BY SA 2.0 ). When returning to the mainland, many of the locals speculated what happened to the men. It was built over the bones of one of the Twelve Labors of Hercules, a giant named Gerylon. 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Apparently the Flannan mystery inspired the writer of this particular Tom Baker era installment, and it is one of my favourites due the claustrophobic atmosphere that it manages to create, all four episodes being set entirely in / around an isolated lighthouse. In his report of the events, Moore stated that he noted that the kitchen door was the only one he could open to enter the lighthouse, the outside gate was closed, the fire had not been lit for some days, and everything within the lighthouse was in proper order., When he searched the island with the volunteers they noted that on the western landing there had been storm damage at some point: The iron railings of the trolley tramway had started from their foundations and broken in several places and the box containing the mooring ropes had vanished, despite having been firmly wedged into a crevice and then anchored.. The problem with this explanation is that, while the boots, coats and oilskins belonging to Ducat and Marshall were missing, Donald MacArthurs were still inside. The clocks were stopped and other signs indicated that the accident must have happened about a week ago. On West side it is somewhat different. On receipt of Captain Harvies telegram on 26 December 1900 reporting that the three keepers on Flannan Islands, viz James Ducat, Principal, Thomas Marshall, second Assistant, and Donald McArthur, Occasional Keeper (doing duty for William Ross, first Assistant, on sick leave), had disappeared and that they must have been blown over the cliffs or drowned, I made the following arrangements with the Secretary for the temporary working of the Station. In his log, he described a fierce storm that swept through the island one so strong that it had the men on their knees. It symbolizes an impenetrable, immovable and indestructible state of knowledge and enlightenment. (Sorry, alien lovers.). According to reports from Moore himself, the replacement lighthouse keeper suffered an overwhelming sense of foreboding on his long walk up to the top of the cliff. They are extremely unpredictable and can do significant damage, especially to unsuspecting ships. The clock on the wall was stopped. Taking their raincoats, they trudged into the harsh elements. The Bombshell Detectives investigate the disappearance of the three lighthouse keepers at Eilean Mor on the Flannan Isles of NW Scotland, in December of 1900. Once they were close to port, Captain Harvey asked Moore to investigate. Orwhat if the local legends were true? Why, yes devoted readers, were glad you caught wind of that. which was constructed in the 1st century AD. Meet the Quinotaur. Aside from utilizing modern technology, the function of a lighthouse remains the same. Investigative author Keith McCloskey joined George Knapp to discuss the mysterious disappearance back in 1900 of three lighthouse keepers from Eilean Mor, a small island, off the rocky west coast of Scotland. Scholars believe the structure was built around 280 BC and stood in the harbor of Alexandria at 350 ft. tall. The crane originally erected on this platform was washed away during last winter, and the crane put up this summer was found to be unharmed, the jib lowered and secured to the rock, and the canvas covering the wire rope on the barrel securely lashed round it, and there was no evidence that the men had been doing anything at the crane. And why were none of their bodies ever washed up? Although these were all good questions, the most pertinent and persistent question was around the weather conditions at the time; the seas should have been calm! It was seen on the 12th, but not seen again until the 26th, the night on which it was lit by Moore. Its enough to make you wonder whether or not something truly paranormal happened on the island back in 1900. Upon further investigation, lighthouse keeper Moore noticed that two out of the three oil coats were missing from their pegs at the entrance. One of those islands is Eilean Mor, an island that was one of seven islets known to locals as the Seven Hunters, just northwest of Scotland. If neglected or donned on inappropriately, it was cause for a fine or even termination. When the boat reached the landing there being still no signs of the keepers, the boat was backed into the landing and with some difficulty Moore managed to jump ashore. One of the islands, Eilean Mor, was the setting of a great historical mystery the disappearance of three lighthouse keepers in 1900. No one answered. It is named after St. Flannen, a 6th century Irish Bishop who later became a saint. MacArthur was said to have a volatile temper. On the 26th December 1900, a small ship was making its way to the Flannan Islands in the remote Outer Hebrides. It is now monitored from the Butt of Lewis and the shore station has been converted into apartments. I then entered the rooms in succession, found the beds empty just as they left them in the early morning. the Hesperus visit to Eilean Mr in December 1900 Moore stepped on the island and felt a sense of unease wash over him. Locals, of course, like to indulge in the popular folklore that the men were swept away to another world. All eyes were on the landing dockbut again, no one appeared. The lamp was cleaned. They firmly believed that it was cursed. Two of the mens coats were missing, but one (Macarthurs) remained on a peg beside the door. Once again, something strange had occurred on the Flannan Isles. There were no follow-up investigations, despite many unanswered questions. An 1898 map of the Flannan Isles. He also wrote that the crane platform above the western landing was fine, but that a life buoy had also disappeared. Love further researched that during construction, a group of workers died from natural causes and a horse named Billy who was craned to shore also died. Her washing and washing line were said to have been swept away." Some came up with possible logical explanations, such as drowning (too bad lighthouse keeper Ida Lewis wasnt around or thered be no mystery at all). Is the Famous Roman Leader Pompey Historys Biggest Loser? In 1900, three lighthouse keepers on Eilean Mr vanished and were never seen again. After reading the logs, Muirheads attention turned to the remaining oil skinned coat that had been left in the entrance hall. He called again, but was once again greeted with inhuman silence and the crying of gulls. Love mysteries and, as we'll probably never know the truth of it, thats what it will probably remain. I darted out and made for the landing. Attribution: Marc Calhoun under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. Ducat also had lived on Eilean Mor for 14 months, so he was well aware of the possible weather conditions. Read about the life of Robert Stevenson, the man who lit up Scotland with his lighthouses. The story of Helen Duncan spiritualist, medium and the last person in Britain to be tried and sentenced under the 1735 Witchcraft Act. (n.d.). Captain James Harvey sent replacement keeper Joseph Moore to investigate. No fire was in the grate, nor had one been there for a few days. For those dreaming of one day living and keeping a lighthouse, here are some things to consider: Being a lighthouse keeper is a 24-hour job. If this nervousness does not leave Moore, he will require to be transferred, but I am reluctant to recommend this, as I would desire to have one man at least who knows the work of the Station. I am of the opinion that the most likely explanation of this disappearance of the men is that they had all gone down on the afternoon Saturday, 15 Decemberand a large body of watercoming down upon them had swept them away with resistless force., However, despite 120 years of no developments, there are several armchair historians still working on figuring out the case to this day. What is strange about the final remark was that William McArthur was a seasoned mariner, and was known on the Scottish mainland as a tough brawler. I wonder if there is a submerged sea cave entrance somewhere on the island? Or maybe it was just good old-fashioned homicide? Ever since she was a child Alicia has had a passion for writing and she has written Read More. Their. Captain Holman of the steamer Archtor, who was passing by the area on route to Leith, Scotland, on December 15, noticed that the lighthouses lamp was not shining. On the Thursday and Friday the men made a thorough search over and round the island and I went over the ground with them on Saturday. I may state that, as Moore was naturally very much upset by the unfortunate occurrence, and appeared very nervous, I left A Lamont, Seaman, on the Island to go to the lightroom and keep Moore company when on watch for a week or two. One of the islands, Eilean Mor, was the setting of a great historical mystery - the disappearance of three lighthouse keepers in 1900. He entered and called out to anyone inside. I have repeated this wire to Muirhead in case you are not at home. According to the Sunday Post, Love researched the incident and has come to the conclusions that two of the keepers were previously fined for improperly storing supplies in a prior storm. A lifebuoy was also missing from the landing and the railway tracks used to shuttle supplies to the landing were torn from the ground. The telegraph read: A dreadful accident has happened at Flannans. Last year, a memorial was unveiled in their honor on the shoreline where a ship would transport the keepers to the island. On 26th December 1900, a. Everything shipshape. Until other accommodations could be made, Harvey left behind the replacement keepers until everything was sorted out. Since then, the lighthouse has seldom changed. Until then, they relied on open lit torches. Donald McArthur has his wearing coat left behind him which shows, as far as I know, that he went out in shirt sleeves. He also noticed that James Ducat, the Principal Keeper, had been very quiet and that the third assistant, William McArthur, had been crying. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. Will not return to Oban until I hear from you. The clock on the wall was stopped. Cannot go out. Because of its reputation and. The only thing that stood out was the missing oilskin coats and boats of James Ducat and Thomas Marshall, while Donald McArthurs clothes remained. On 28 September 1971, the lighthouse was automated. The three lighthouse keepers, Captain Thomas Marshall, James Ducat, and Donald McArthur, vanished on the island without a trace, leaving only speculation behind. The Fresnel lens is the heart of the lighthouse. It might have been constructed by Ptolemy I Soter, the successor of Alexander the Great, and stood until its demise from an Earthquake in the 14th century. And if you were a lighthouse keeper a hundred years ago it was basically the equivalent of holding down a fort. The Hesperus pulled in slowly. The Isles get their name from a 7th century Irish saint of the same name who is said to have built a stone church (one of the few man-made structures still found today) on the island of Eilean Mor. After docking in Leith, the captain conveyed the irregularity to port authorities, and they noted the incident. A boat was launched and Joseph Moore, the relief keeper, was put ashore alone. The crane itself is safe. Why had three experienced lighthouse keepers been taken unaware by a freak wave? Because of its reputation and the superstition surrounding it, rituals such as circling the church on your knees were adopted by the locals. From the December Return, I saw that the Tower itself was not seen, even with the assistance of a powerful telescope, between the 7th and the 29th December. 5621230. Source: Wikimedia Commons. The Eilean Mor Lighthouse Mystery. This too is difficult to ascertain, both with the hard evidence and the contradictory nature of the details of the days weather. The three Keepers, Ducat, Marshall and the occasional have disappeared from the island. Until then, they relied on open lit torches. Ducat often told his family that the conditions at the highly exposed lighthouse on Eilean Mor were dangerous and he had to be persuaded to stay at his job. Moore was so terrified that he was eventually transferred. Wind shifted west by north. Eilean Mr, the largest of the islands, has been shrouded in myth and superstition. It starred Gerard Butler as James Ducat, Peter Mullan as Thomas Marshall, Connor Swindells as Donald MacArthur. On entering the kitchen I looked at the fireplace and saw that the fire was not lighted for some days. The construction of the lighthouse took four years, not the two that were planned for it, due to delays caused by rough seas around the Flannan Isles and harsh weather. The iron railings along the passage connecting railway with footpath to landing and started from their foundation and broken in several places, also railing round crane, and handrail for making mooring rope fast for boat, is entirely carried away. Log entries on the 13th December stated that the storm was still raging, and that all three men had been praying. More in line with the swept away theory is the idea of a powerful rogue wave battering the cliffs edge and taking the keepers out to sea. The logbook had been completed by the lighthouse keepers until December 15, around noon. A movie was released called the Vanishing in 2018 which covered the mystery. Until now, there was no explanation for the disappearance of three lighthouse keepers from Eilean Mor island, in the bitterly cold Christmas season of the ye. The Setting: The Lighthouse and Island of Eilean Mor It was a place fueled by what many still believe was a place of fairies. (2013). Sometimes due to weather, the lights were not seen for four of five consecutive nights, but the long duration was a very surprising occurrence which raised alarm on Leith. Perhaps the crate had been dislodged and knocked down, and the lighthouse keepers were attempting to retrieve them when an unexpected wave came and washed them out to sea? He concluded that the men must have gone to repair the damage and been swept away by a wave. It wasnt until 1994 that archaeologist Jean-Yves Empereur, founder of the Centre of Alexandrian Studies, excavated the ruins masonry blocks of what was once the Lighthouse of Alexandria and with it, statues of Ptolemy I Soter and his wife, Arsinoe. When Moore returned to the ship he told the captain of the disappearance and what he encountered within the lighthouse. Though rare, rogue waves are possible. Some came up with possible logical explanations, such as drowning (too bad lighthouse keeper. The phenomenon of an extremely large wave suddenly appearing and sweeping the men from the island may be founded in the fact that the weather of the time was said to be calm, but stormy and, according to Alasdair Macaulay, a researcher of the mystery: "I have heard about a woman at Crowlista in Uig who had been hanging out her washing on that day when she saw a giant wall of water coming in from the west so she apparently ran back to the house as this large wave hit the shore. Here Muirhead noticed ropes strewn all over the rocks, ropes which were usually held in a brown crate 70 feet above the platform on a supply crane. The island is one of seven islets known to locals as the Seven Hunters, around 17 miles west of the island of Lewis. This isolated scene was the stage for one of the United Kingdom's most notorious disappearances. They fired flares and blew whistles, but got no response. Strange disappearance or not, the lighthouse needed to operate. It is now monitored from the Butt of Lewis and the shore station has been converted into apartments. It was a place fueled by what many still believe was a place of fairies. These types of waves also have to do with the islands geography. He met with a ready response and two seamen, Lamont and Campbell, were selected with Mr MacDonald, the Buoymaster, who was on board, also offered his services, which were accepted and Moore, MacDonald and these two seamen were left in charge of the light while Captain Harvie returned to Breasclete and telegraphed an account of the disaster to the Secretary. It was possible, of course, that Ducat and Marshall had run into trouble at the landing stage and that, on hearing their cries for help, MacArthur had rushed down to their assistance before being washed away himself. God is over all. Moore stepped on the island and felt a sense of unease wash over him. Although uninhabited, the island has always sparked people's interest. Today, the Eilean Mor lighthouse still stands. Others believed they were taken by supernatural forces living on the island and were spirited away to the other world. Well, we cant rule it out. Perplexed and spooked, Moore returned to Captain Harvey and relayed what he saw. Why, in the bitter cold winter, had one of the lighthouse keepers ventured out without his coat? A life buoy fastened to the railings along this path, to be used in case of emergency had disappeared, and I thought at first that it had been removed for the purpose of being used but, on examining the ropes by which it was fastened, I found that they had not been touched, and as pieces of canvas was adhering to the ropes, it was evident that the force of the sea pouring through the railings had, even at this great height (110 feet above sea level) torn the life buoy off the ropes. Scholars believe the structure was built around 280 BC and stood in the harbor of Alexandria at 350 ft. tall. He with some of the men came up second time, so as to make sure, but unfortunately the first impression was only too true. The Flannan Isles are located 32 km (20 miles) from their closest neighbor, the Isle of Lewis . This was his preferred theory to explain the disappearances and he stated this in his official report to the Northern Lighthouse Board. God is over all. What does that mean? Inside he found that no fire was lit to ward off the damp coldness, the beds were unused, and the clocks had stopped. , rituals such as circling the church on your knees were adopted by the locals. In later years, a writer named Ernest Fallon claimed he had the keepers original logbook, which described severe weather on the island at the time. MacKenzie stated (and I have since verified this), that the lights sometimes cannot be seen for four of five consecutive nights, but he was beginning to be anxious at not seeing it for such a long period, and had, for two nights prior to its reappearance, been getting the assistance of the natives to see if it could be discerned. Lighthouses havent really changed over the years. In 1900, it's three keepers vanished and have never been found. Perhaps the crew werent aware of their arrival, which was understandable considering they were late. Visitors who ventured there engaged in strange rituals to protect themselves. Upon entering the unlocked lighthouse, he immediately knew that something was wrong. And as for family and socialization? It was a place that many still believe was a place of fairies. The Mysterious Disappearance of the Flannan Islands Lighthouse Keepers. (from left to right) Thomas Marshall, Donald MacArthur and James Ducat - December 8, 1900. And that was the end of it. Their task was to keep the light always They were sure of this as the lighthouse could be seen from the nearby Isle of Lewis, and any bad weather would have obscured it from view. Some suggest that McArthur may have killed his colleagues, then himself. Three volunteers offered to stay with Moore and provide an even more thorough search of the small island the next morning. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2022Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. I am sure you are familiar with his legend which states that he was born in a manger surrounded by shepherds, Fairy Rings, Stonehenge and Gravity Vortices, Atacama Giant and Cusco Temple linked to Stone Age astronomical writing, about The Beautiful Casket that Killed Mary, Queen of Scots. Upon returning from Eilean Mor, Captain Harvey left the replacement lightkeepers on the island. Storm ended. The clock on the wall had stopped. The eerie disappearance of the Eilean Mor lighthouse keepers In January 1900, three lighthouse keepers on a remote island disappeared into the night, never to be seen again. Joseph Moore then rowed ashore and ascended up the steep set of stairs that led up to the lighthouse. https://locationsunknown.podbean.com/e/ep-21-eilean-mor-lighthouse-keepers-scotland/, https://www.nlb.org.uk/history/flannan-isles/, https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-Eilean-Mor-Lighthouse-Mystery/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flannan_Isles_Lighthouse, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6922197/New-film-attempts-answer-caused-three-lighthouse-keepers-vanish-night.html, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-47732497, Tagged: Eilean Mor Light House Keepers mystery, Eilean Mor Light House Keepers disappearance, Flannan Isles Lighthouse mystery, Flannan Isles Lighthouse disappearances, captain james harvey eilean mor, Joseph Moore eilean mor, Breasclete eilean mor mystery, James Ducat eilean mor, William MacArthur eilean mor, Thomas Marshall eilean mor, The Vanishing 2019 Gerard Butler Peter Mullan, The strange mystery of the Somerton Man (Tamm Shud case), The strange disappearance of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Keepers, Eilean Mor Light House Keepers disappearance, The Vanishing 2019 Gerard Butler Peter Mullan, The Great Mull Air Mystery - The death of Peter Gibbs on the Isle of Mull in Scotland, The story of Sir John Franklin's lost Northwest Passage expedition and the ghostly predictions of Weesy Coppin, The terrible events of the Batavia Shipwreck on Murder Island, The mysterious case of Netta Fornario on the Scottish Island of Iona, The mysterious disappearance of the Sarah Joe and its five man crew, The mysterious deaths of the Korovina group on Mount Tritrans, The strange disappearance of Jim Carter in Ape Canyon. Along with Second Assistant Thomas Marshall and Occasional keeper Donald McArthur, they managed the lighthouse without incident until December 1900. Keepers worked full-time and had to maintain lenses and lamps, repair equipment, replenish the oil, prepare landings for ships, and assist in rescues. I have the melancholy recollection that I was the last person to shake hands with them and bid them adieu, he wrote. Despite its modest size, visitors were terrified and refused to stay the night. That day, as on other relief days, we came to anchorage under Flannan Islands, and not seeing the Lighthouse Flag flying, we thought they did not perceive us coming. A poor horse named Billy also had a tragic end. According to National Park Services, a keepers shift began from 4 PM until dawn. Nonetheless, the lack of inhabitants could have increased the ghostly presence on the island, as several ships apparently found the rocky Flannan Isles difficult to navigate when less than ideal conditions struck. It was said, there was a definite presence of an aura, that undeniably shrouded the island. This idea is probable to some, possible to others, and unthinkable to many, depending on their point of view. It is now monitored from the Butt of Lewis and the shore station has been converted into apartments. Although the island seemed to be the perfect place to establish a congregation, the worshipers believed in the islands supernatural powers. He said he suffered an overwhelming sense of foreboding on his walk up to the top of the cliff. Muirhead both recruited and knew all three men personally, departed for the island to investigate the disappearances. It was completed in 1899, mere months before the lighthouse keepers disappeared. Macarthur praying. As it was evident that the light had not been lit from the 15th to the 25th December, I resolved to see him on Sunday morning, to ascertain what he had to say on the subject. This logbook was likely a hoax. We went ashore and proceeded up to the lightroom and lighted the light in the proper time that night and every night since. He later wrote that Ducat (the oldest man in their crew) had been quiet while the young McArthur was in tears, despite being a man who had a reputation as a tough and experienced seafarer., Of course, it was reported that rough waters delayed Captain Harvey to the islands. Getting inked has been around longer than youd think. . Flash forward nearly 1500 years. 12 noon. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1378632/Missing-lighthouse-keepers-remembered-after-100-years.html, Jacobs, T.M. No one keeps the lighthouse anymore; it's been fully automated since 1971. On the 26th December 1900, a small ship called Hesperus, captained by James Harvie, was making its way to the island of Eilean Mr, part of the Flannan Islands in the remote Outer Hebrides, off the north-west coast of Scotland. Apocalyptic Apocrypha: What was Removed from the Bible - and Why? It was an isolating experience, and keepers did not see their families for most of the year. Sure enough, when he entered the mess hall, he was shocked at the sight before him. Even the superintendent of the Commissioners of Northern Lights, Robert Muirhead, had something to say about the incident. Stormbound 9pm. Like the Tower of Hercules, locals from Eilean Mor, believed it a place of myth. Reluctantly, Moore agreed to stay to tend the light given that the keepers could not be located when the Hesperus left the island. The mooring ropes, landing ropes, derrick landing ropes and crane handles, and also a wooden box in which they were kept and which was secured in a crevice in the rocks 70 feet up the tramway from its terminus, and about 40 feet higher than the crane platform, or 110 feet in all above the sea level, had been washed away, and the ropes were strewn in the crevices of the rocks near the crane platform and entangled among the crane legs, but they were all coiled up, no single coil being found unfastened. Once the lighthouse was destroyed, a fort was rebuilt in its place in 1477 (BBC). The 23 metre (75 ft) lighthouse was designed by David Alan Stevenson for the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB). The pots and pans had been cleaned and the kitchen tidied up, which showed that the man who had been acting as cook had completed his work, which goes to prove that the men disappeared on the afternoon which was received (after news of the disaster had been published) that Captain Holman had passed the Flannan Islands in the steamer ARCHTOR at midnight on the 15th ulto, and could not observe the light, he felt satisfied that he should have seen it. A further 3,526 was spent on the shore station at Breasclete on the Isle of Lewis. Apart from the Mary Celeste, the mens disappearance was in fact strange. Hereward the Wake Original Robin Hood or Fictional Medieval Hero? I also proceeded to Flannan Islands where I was landed, along with Milne and Jack, early on the 29th. Stormbound. The Flannan Isles Lighthouse disappearances. Sebastian Lunes July 5, 2021 3 min read. The disappearances of the lighthouse keepers on Eilean Mor Oct 24, 2022 sundaypost.com Calm before the storm It was early morning on December 26, 1900 when the ship Hesperus broke through the Atlantic, slicing through frigid sea air. The Fall of the Giants and Their Fate According to Ancient Texts, Adventist Adventurer Claimed to Have Found Ark of the Covenant Beneath Crucifixion Site. The Northern Lighthouse Boards superintendent, Robert Muirhead, arrived three days later to investigate and described Moore as being in a state of nervousness. The light is now produced by burning acetylene gas and has a range of 17 nautical miles; 20 miles (32 km). While keeper Thomas Marshall was single, the other two James Ducat and Donald MacArthur were married, with six children between them. But thats all superficial compared to the real job at hand. The fountain full. This delayed the arrival of the fourth attendant who was going to replace one of the men on December 20, but could not make the trip until things cleared up on December 26. Skeptical, Love delved further into his investigation and finds something bizarre. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet. But if you look at the story fromthe keepers point of view, it becomes clear. Being a keeper is a fulltime job. Ancient Pictish Cross Stone Slab Complicates History, 1,300-Year-Old Solid Gold Pommel Is Like No Other, Scottish Clan Has a First New Chief Since 1681, Ancient Elites in North-western Europe Enjoyed High-Island Living. Instead of finding a realistic explanation, however, the case of the missing lighthouse keepers only became stranger. Ropes are all in their respective places in the shelter, just as they were left after the relief on the 7th. On December 26, 1900, Captain Jim Harvie was supposed to be bringing relief to the lighthouse in the form of the fourth attendant, Joseph Moore. Will not return to Oban until I hear from you. Lovelock Cave: A Tale of Giants or A Giant Tale of Fiction? The only manmade structures on the island are a 23m lighthouse and a rudimentary drystone chapel dating back to the 7th century. She had an incredible impact on both Scottish and English history, and her life was one of tragedy, romance, and drama. God is over all. Despite this, there were no reports of storms in the area on those four days. They then returned to the ship and informed Captain Harvie who told Moore he would have to return to the Island to keep the light going pending instructions, and called for volunteers from his crew to assist in this. He found the entrance locked. Apart from its wickies, the remote island was uninhabited. Ducat irritable. The lighthouses logbook provided a chilling glimpse into the mens final days. What some werent ready to accept was a post at Flannan Isles Lighthouse on Eilean Mr. Eilean Mr is named after Flannn mac Toirrdelbaig, who was an Irish saint who lived in the 7th century and was the son of an Irish chieftain, Turlough of Thomond. Bringing people to and from the mainland to the Eilean Mor wasnt new for the captain. From December 12 to 15, one of the keepers (probably Marshall) supposedly wrote about strong winds, and about Ducat and McArthurs fragile state of mind. Right before the three men disappeared, they left a message. One possible reason for the mens disappearance comes in the form of one man falling from the steep and slippery landing steps while trying to retrieve a crate during the storm, and the other two following suit in a botched rescue attempt. Although the island seemed to be the perfect place to establish a congregation, the worshipers believed in the islands supernatural powers. A replacement keeper for Joseph Moore fell to his death, and another keeper lost his mind. She had an incredible impact on both Scottish and English history, and her life was one of tragedy, Kelburn Castle is one of the oldest castles still standing in Scotland. The three keepers, Ducat, Marshall and the Occasional have disappeared from the Island. From Araucana, Chile to Berchtesgaden, Germany - A Remote Connection? All should have been calm up until December 17.. In fact, the lighthouse stems as far back to ancient times. There is also the question of if the two men would have chosen to leave their families. For centuries shepherds used to bring over sheep to the island to graze, but would never stay the night, fearful of the spirits believed to haunt it. Three lighthouse keepers disappeared into the night, never to be seen again. Its destination was the lighthouse at Eilean Mor, a remote island which (apart from its lighthouse keepers) was completely uninhabited. James Ducat, the experienced head keeper of the lighthouse, had the same reservations. The case of a missing New York City mother turned into a murder investigation after police identified a body found over the summer as Rachel Lopez. A bizarre log entry was found as a result of the inquiry that ultimately brought in more mystery than clarification. Nevertheless, this one fits the books as one of the strangest disappearances in maritime history. The evidence? Robert Muirhead, the superintendent in charge of the lighthouse confirmed Moores account, adding that the dishes had been washed and the kitchen cleaned. The location of the Eilean Mor lighthouse. As technology improved, candles or oil lamps were used in lanterns with panes made of glass or horn. Not known to be one not to check in, friends and family are imm. The captain ordered Moore to return to light the lamp. This play delves into the mystery of the disappearance of three 'wickies' (lighthouse-keepers), who were staffing a lighthouse on one of the remote islands in the Outer Hebrides called Eilean Mor in December 1900. He sent a wireless to the Cosmopolitan Line Steamers (CLS) headquarters to report the outage but, as Lighthouse Digest reports CLS failed to notify the Northern Lighthouse Board because other more pressing matters caused it to escape from memory.. The light is now produced by burning acetylene gas and has a range of 17 nautical miles; 20 miles (32 km). It's a mystery that has baffled historians for over 120 years - what happened to the three Eilean Mor lighthouse keepers who seemingly disappeared without a trace? In the approximate centre of the island it forked by means of a set of hand-operated points called "Clapham Junction" named after the railway junction in central London; one branch continued in its curvature to head eastwards to the east landing place, on the south-east corner of the island, forming a half-circle, while the other, slightly shorter, branch curved back to the west to serve the west landing, situated in a small inlet on the island's south coast. Being a lighthouse keeper in the old days was not easy. MessageToEagle.com - On December 26, 1900, something strange and unexplained happened on the largest of the Flannan Islands, Eilean Mor, Scotland. Principal photography on the film began in mid-April 2017. Some waves were so powerful that the waters spray went way past the 60m cliff edge. I have left Moore, MacDonald, Buoymaster and two Seamen on the island to keep the light burning until you make other arrangements. Night coming on, we could not wait to make something as to their fate. was possibly the first lighthouse in the world. If they did fall into the ocean during the storm, their bodies could have ended up inside the cave, which is why they never washed up anywhere. We also provide an avenue to those who wish to perform in front of a crowd . https://linktr.ee/unsolvedmysteriessolvedIn 1900, a steam liner passing by the Eilean Mor lighthouse noticed that the light wasn't shining as brightly as it . And if you were a keeper 100 years ago (even today), there was seldom electricity and plumbing..yeah, not really a thing. Now that the hugely successful first season of HBOs House of the Dragon has aired, it is safe for us to do an analysis of how much and how closely the events and characters mirrored those of actual history. http://www.transceltic.com/scottish/mystery-of-scotland-s-flannan-isles-lighthouse, Merritt, M. (2014). They had to continuously tend to the lighthouse in full uniform which included: blue pants, vest, suit, jacket, and hat. When the lighthouse was built in December 1899, to guide ships through one of the wildest parts of the North Atlantic, locals in the Flannans warned that the intrusion would unleash St Flanns wrath. The coat issue arises again in this scenario. Why would he be concerned about a storm, even a bad one? However, instead of oil burning lights, they were lit by beacon fires. According to Love, it was during their excursion that a wave flushed them out. Capt. They theorized that McArthur might have done something sinister. The Flannan Isles, located in Scotlands Outer Hebrides, are a set of small and uninhabited rocky islands with a curious history. He built a chapel on the island and for centuries shepherds used to bring over sheep to the island to graze but would never stay the night, fearful of the spirits believed to haunt that remote spot. Their mysterious disappearance still baffles historians and scientists. The Iliad can provide new insights on the role of motherhood among the ancient Greek gods, and by extension, amongst ancient mortal Greek women themselves. It is best known for the mysterious disappearance of its keepers in 1900. Three lighthouse keepers disappeared into the night, never to be seen again. For instance, keepers lived at a lighthouse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Very much like the lyrics of the famous Mary I of Scotland, or Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most iconic monarchs in British history. After he examined the ropes he asserted that it was evident that the force of the sea pouring through the railings had, even at this great height (33.5 m/110 ft. above sea level), torn the life buoy off the rope. Muirhead saw that the mornings work on the lamp had been completed, but it had not been lit after that. When he arrived, there was usually someone at the landing dock to greet them. While the idea of tattooing certainly seems like it wouldve been a more recent development, archaeologists have discovered quite the opposite. Being cooped up on an island with two other men can be maddening. Poor fellows they must been blown over the cliffs or drowned trying to secure a crane or something like that. Since then, the lighthouse has seldom changed. Landing steps on the southwest corner of Eilean Mor, Scotland. [10] Blinds on the windows etc. Whatever the reason for their disappearance, something (or someone) snatched those three men from the rock of Eilean Mor on that winters day over 100 years ago. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. The light is now produced by burning acetylene gas and has a range of 17 nautical miles; 20 miles (32 km). He sounded the whistle and shot a flare to try to catch the lighthouse keepers attention, but the island remained silent. Photo: Shutterstock. He based his claim on the stopped clocks and a great storm that took place all over the western coast on that date. I made for entrance door leading to the kitchen and store room, found it also closed and the door inside that, but the kitchen door itself was open. I did not take time to search further, for I only too well knew something serious had occurred. Its destination was the lighthouse at Eilean Mor, a remote island which (apart from its lighthouse keepers) was completely uninhabited. One of those people is leading naturalist John Love. The superstitious tales of Eilean Mor involve beings such as giant birds and little men, as well as the haunting the St. Flannan and his flock. The stories were enough to keep shepherds (not to mention most other people), from spending the night there. Kidnapped off the island by Pirates or a foreign power. True: There isnt any other explanation. His investigation of the lighthouse found nothing over and above what Moore had already reported. On December 26, 1990, three lighthouse keepers from the largest of the Scottish Flannan Islands disappeared without a trace. Muirhead immediately noticed that the last few days of entries were unusual. If the logbook entries are real, it would suggest that times were tough on the island leading up to the last entry. Forget it. Inside the boat house - learn about life saving equipment used back in the 1800s. What if it were really the fairy folk? The clocks were stopped and other signs indicated that the accident must have happened about a week ago. Captain James Harvey was sailing to the remote Flannan Isles to relieve the lighthouse keepers stationed there. Moore became increasingly worried about his fellow keepers and, returning with help, he searched the lighthouse from top to bottom. There are many who lean toward the idea that two of the men were killed by the third, who followed his devious act with suicide. It was early morning on December 26, 1900 when the ship. Keepers stayed cooped up in their little vertical towers for weeks or months at a time. All of the materials used had to be moved up the 45-metre (148 ft) cliffs directly from supply boats. Numerous ships had foundered on their jagged coastlines, which are often hidden by dense fog. And why were three grown men, accustomed to deadly storms, suddenly cower with this one, that is, if it existed? The Muckle Flugga Lighthouse in the Shetland Islands is known to experience these colossal waves, with one recorded to have almost reached past the 60m cliff. It burnt twenty barrels of paraffin a year and these had to be carried up steep gradients from the landing places using a cable-hauled railway. We left and proceeded on board the steamer. Many, including crew members on passing ships, described a sense of foreboding. The way Love saw it, the mysticism gave Flannan Isles its mythical vibe. When he arrived, there was usually someone at the landing dock to greet them. Per some, he found that the door to the lighthouse was unlocked, by others, the door was locked. Dec. 13: Storm continued through night. But why would three experienced lighthouse keepers, safely situated on a brand new lighthouse that was 150 feet above sea level, be praying for a storm to stop? The film was directed by Kristoffer Nyholm, best known for the Scandinavian drama, The Killing. There is a mix of accounts as to what Moore found at the top of the cliffs. Love believes that the disappearance of the lighthouse keepers wasnt the only tragedy that took place on the islands. ( CC BY SA 2.0 ) Moore would have had to pass the church to reach the lighthouse. Thus, Moore was sent ashore to investigate. The light was, however, seen on 7th December, but was not seen on the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th. To this day, a concrete explanation for the strange event remains elusive. This isolated scene was the stage for one of the United Kingdoms most notorious disappearances. The ordered lighthouse can support the first but not the second idea here. what if the local legends were true? As this had no effect, he fired a rocket, which also evoked no response, and a boat was lowered and sent ashore to the East landing with Joseph Moore, Assistant Keeper. Further clues were found down by the landing platform. At that time, I took a note to consider the propriety of having a daily signal that all was well signals under the present system being only exhibited when assistance of some kind is required. Although the island seemed to be the perfect place to establish a congregation, the worshipers believed in the islands supernatural powers. The final log entry was made on the 15th December. Three experienced lighthouse men, praying? I have considered and discussed the possibility of the men being blown away by the wind, but, as the wind was westerly, I am of the opinion, notwithstanding its great force, that the more probably explanation is that they have been washed away as, had the wind caught them, it would, from its direction, have blown then up the Island and I feel certain that they would have managed to throw themselves down before they had reached the summit or brow of the Island. These discoveries prompted Captain Harvey to leave Moore and three others on Eilean Mr to tend the lighthouse while he went to the mainland for help. After a careful examination of the place, the railings, ropes etc and weighing all the evidence which I could secure, I am of opinion that the most likely explanation of the disappearance of the men is that they had all gone down on the afternoon of Saturday, 15 December to the proximity of the West landing, to secure the box with the mooring ropes, etc and that an unexpectedly large roller had come up on the Island, and a large body of water going up higher than where they were and coming down upon them had swept them away with resistless force. Sure enough, when he entered the mess hall, he was shocked at the sight before him. Their purpose remains the same and the structure is recognizable. All eyes were on the landing dockbut again, no one appeared. Captain James Harvey was sailing to the remote Flannan Isles to relieve the lighthouse keepers stationed there. On December 15, the entry stated, Storm ended, sea calm. On arrival, the crew and relief keeper found that the flagstaff had no flag, all of the usual provision boxes had been left on the landing stage for re-stocking, and more ominously, none of the lighthouse keepers were there to welcome them ashore. An Eilean Mr lighthouse keeper in the 1950s named Walter Aldebert conducted his own investigation by photographing waves crashing against the cliff. However, the three men who may have met their fate on the island, James Ducat (43), Donald Macarthur (40), and Thomas Marshall (28), may have disagreed about the ease of their work. Moore continued onto the kitchen area where he found half eaten food and an overturned chair, almost as if someone had jumped from their seat in a hurry. A kitchen chair lay on its side, and the only sign of life was the keepers canary, half-starving on its perch. Refresh the page, check Medium 's site. The Curious Disappearance of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Keepers - A . A keeper would fill that bad boy with oil, and wind a clock mechanism that would turn the lens (let there be light!). William Ross, one of the original keepers who was on leave at the time of his colleagues disappearance, died on duty at another lighthouse. Eilean Mr's only inhabitants at the time were the lighthouse keepers stationed at the Flannan Isles Lighthouse, near the highest point on the island. On the 12th December, Thomas Marshall, the second assistant, wrote of severe winds the likes of which I have never seen before in twenty years. Missing lighthouse keepers remembered after 100 years. The steamers horn was sounded several times, still no reply. Lopez's family reported her missing in . But consider that the lighthouse was second only to the Pyramids of Giza. Theories about their disappearance have ranged from foreign invaders capturing the men, all the way through to alien abductions! 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