EILEAN MÒR — 1900 · Missing Person
The Vanishing of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse Keepers
The lighthouse on Eilean Mòr, in the remote Flannan Isles off western Scotland, was first lit in December 1899. On 15 December 1900 a passing ship noted that the light was out. Because of bad weather the relief vessel Hesperus did not reach the island until 26 December. There was no sign of the three keepers, James Ducat, Thomas Marshall and Donald McArthur: the doors were shut, the lamps had been cleaned and refilled, the clock had stopped, and one set of oilskins was still in place. Heavy storm damage was found at the west landing. The official inquiry suggested the men had been swept away by a huge wave, but no bodies were ever found. Over time the case attracted exaggerated legends and invented logbook entries.
- Date
- 1900
- Place
- Flannan Isles, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, Eilean Mòr, UK
- Category
- Missing Person
- Case Status
- Unsolved
- Coordinates
- 58.2884, -7.5893 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 7 December 1899The Eilean Mòr lighthouse was first lit.
- 15 December 1900A passing ship noted that the light was out.
- 26 December 1900The relief ship arrived and found the three keepers missing.
- 29 December 1900The Northern Lighthouse Board opened its official inquiry.
Sources
- Historic UK — The Eilean Mor Lighthouse Mystery historic-uk.com ↗
- BBC News — Letter on mystery of three missing lighthouse keepers to go on display bbc.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Flannan Isles Lighthouse en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Historic UK
- BBC News
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.