The Flannan Isles Lightkeepers Mysterious Disappearance

Lighthouse In Eilean Mor

The Flannan Isles are made up of seven Islands located in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Eilean Mor Island which is known as “Big Isle” is one of the seven. There is a lighthouse located at the highest point on Eilean Mòr island. But enough with the geography lesson. The lighthouse was operated by a three-man team of lightkeepers (Thomas Marshall, James Ducat, and Donald MacArthur). It is particularly famous for the now 116-year mysterious disappearance of all three lightkeepers in December 1900. Not only did the lightkeepers vanish without a trace, the clues found left everyone puzzled.

Vanished Without A Trace

The missing lightkeepers were noticed by the crew that came on the relief boat Hesperus. Captain James Harvey set sail on December 26th, 1900 to deliver the relief lightkeeper according to the rotation. Upon arrival to Eilean More Island, it was obvious that something was wrong. The provision boxes were not on the landing dock for restocking and none of the lightkeepers came to welcome the crew. Even after lighting a distress flare and blowing a whistle the crew didn’t receive a reply. Joseph Moore which was the relief lightkeeper went on to investigate further.

After climbing to the lighthouse, Joseph found the gate and door shut. Entering the lighthouse kitchen he saw there were plates of food left on the table, the clock was stopped and a chair overturned. Two out of the three coats were also missing. Whatever got the lightkeepers to leave the lighthouse must have been of high urgency. Why would a lightkeeper leave without their coat? and all at once when the post was required to be manned at all times. After Joseph’s report, Captain James Harvey had the whole island searched but came back empty.

Telegram To Mainland

Captain James Harvey later sent the following telegram to the mainland to report his findings:

A dreadful accident has happened at Flannans. The three Keepers, Ducat, Marshall and the occasional have disappeared from the island. On our arrival there this afternoon no sign of life was to be seen on the Island.

Fired a rocket but, as no response was made, managed to land Moore, who went up to the Station but found no Keepers there. The clocks were stopped and other signs indicated that the accident must have happened about a week ago. Poor fellows they must been blown over the cliffs or drowned trying to secure a crane or something like that.

Night coming on, we could not wait to make something as to their fate.

I have left Moore, MacDonald, Buoymaster and two Seamen on the island to keep the light burning until you make other arrangements. Will not return to Oban until I hear from you. I have repeated this wire to Muirhead in case you are not at home. I will remain at the telegraph office tonight until it closes, if you wish to wire me.

Further Investigation And Log Findings

In an effort to get some type of answer further investigation was done. The lighthouse log provided more details that questioned the sanity and circumstances of their disappearance. Marshall described on December 12, extremely severe winds like he had not seen in the last 20 years. He described that Duncan had been quiet for a while and that McArthur couldn’t stop crying. This was odd since McArthur was an experienced mariner with a reputation of being tough. The next day Marshall described that the storm had intensified and they were all praying. This behavior was also odd since the lighthouse was brand new and provided safe shelter against storms.  The last log on December 15 reported “Storm ended, sea calm. God is over all.” The strangest part of all of this is that there were not storms in the area from December 12th until December 17th. The weather had been rather calm. The missing bodies and the calm weather conditions have only left room for conspiracy and paranormal theories.