Selects: The Flannen Isles Mystery
Stuff You Should Know explores the unsolved disappearance of three lighthouse keepers from Scotland's Flannan Isles Lighthouse in 1900. The episode examines the historical context of the lighthouse, built in 1899 on a remote cliff in the Outer Hebrides, and details the dedication of its keepers, who maintained an impressive record of reliability in their critical role of keeping ships safe.
The hosts discuss the circumstances surrounding the mysterious event, where investigators found an immaculate lighthouse with no signs of struggle, but no trace of its keepers. They present various theories about what might have happened, from natural causes to supernatural explanations, with particular attention to evidence suggesting that massive waves may have reached the cliff top, supported by later demonstrations and physical evidence of severe storm damage.
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The Flannan Isles Lighthouse and Its Location
The Flannan Isles Lighthouse, as Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss, stands 75 feet tall atop the 200-foot cliffs of Island Mor in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. Built in 1899, this remote beacon operated with lighthouse keepers until its automation in 1971. Bryant notes that the site previously housed a 7th-century chapel built by Saint Flannan, adding to its historical significance. The area is notorious for its extreme weather conditions, making it particularly treacherous for ships navigating nearby waters.
The Lighthouse Keepers and Their Duties
The lighthouse operated with a principal keeper, James Ducat, and two assistant keepers, with an additional occasional keeper providing coverage for rest periods. Josh Clark emphasizes the remarkable dedication of lighthouse keepers, citing a study showing only 15 recorded instances of keepers falling asleep across all Scottish lighthouses between 1850 and 1900—roughly 2.75 million lighthouse nights.
The Mysterious Disappearance
On December 15, 1900, the steamship Actor reported the lighthouse unlit. When the relief ship Hesperus arrived on December 26th, they found an empty lighthouse with no trace of the keepers. The lighthouse was immaculate, with only two oilskins missing and no signs of struggle. Clark and Bryant explore various theories about the disappearance, from natural causes to supernatural involvement. The most compelling evidence suggests that freak waves were responsible—later tests by lighthouseman Robert Aldebert demonstrated that waves could indeed reach the cliff top. Supporting this theory, investigators found evidence of wave damage, including displaced 2,000-pound stones, twisted iron railings, and torn railway tracks, suggesting an extraordinary storm had occurred.
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Actionables
- Explore historical mysteries by starting a journal where you document and analyze unsolved cases, using the Flannan Isles Lighthouse mystery as your first entry. This activity sharpens critical thinking and research skills as you gather information from various sources, compare theories, and develop your own hypotheses about what may have happened.
- Create a safety checklist for your home inspired by the meticulous upkeep of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse. Include regular checks for potential hazards, emergency supplies, and maintenance tasks. This ensures that you're prepared for extreme conditions, much like the lighthouse was prepared for treacherous weather.
- Engage with local history by visiting nearby historical sites or landmarks, taking note of their unique stories and the dedication of those who maintained them, similar to the keepers of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse. This can foster a deeper appreciation for local heritage and the resilience of historical figures in your community.
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The Flannan Isles Lighthouse and Its Location
The Flannan Isles Lighthouse stands robust on Island Moor, an emblem of maritime safety and historical curiosity in the remote and stormy Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
Flannan Isles Lighthouse: Island Moor, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
The Flannan Isles Lighthouse is an enduring beacon on Island Mor, part of the Flannan Isles in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It commenced operations in 1899 and operated with lighthouse keepers until it went automated in 1971. The lighthouse stands tall at 75 feet atop the highest point of Island Moor's cliffs, which tower 200 feet above the sea level. Island Mor itself is remote and decidedly uninhabited, save for the occasional visits from the sheep owners and the silent operation of the lighthouse.
Lighthouse From 1899 Atop 200-foot Island Moor Cliffs, Stands 75 Feet
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss how its isolated location on Island Moor, challenging access, and the monumental duty of its keepers contribute to the uniqueness of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse. From Josh Clark's perspective, this isolation emphasizes the dedication required to operate such a beacon. Chuck Bryant provides a historical context, mentioning that the site previously ho ...
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The Flannan Isles Lighthouse and Its Location
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Actionables
- You can explore the history and engineering of local landmarks to deepen your appreciation for your surroundings. Start by visiting a nearby historical site or structure, such as a lighthouse or an old building, and research its history and significance. This can give you a sense of connection to the past and an understanding of the challenges faced by those who built and maintained these places.
- Create a photo journal documenting the changing weather and seasons from a consistent location to observe nature's power and beauty. Choose a spot with a clear view of the sky or landscape, take photos at regular intervals, and note the weather conditions. This practice can foster a greater appreciation for the environment and the elements, similar to the respect one must have for the extreme conditions at the Flannan Isl ...
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The Lighthouse Keepers and Their Duties
The Flannan Isles Lighthouse, like many lighthouses of its era, operated with a principal keeper and assistant keepers who were assigned ranked roles, ensuring smooth operations and strict adherence to duty.
Flannan Isles Lighthouse Staff Included a Principal Keeper, two Assistants, and a Local Occasional Keeper For Time Off
Chuck Bryant explains that the Flannan Isles Lighthouse's staff featured a meticulous hierarchy with a principal keeper named James Ducat and two assistant keepers. An occasional keeper, often a local, supplemented the team and provided cover for the permanent staff members' two-week rest periods.
Scottish Lighthouse Keepers: Only 15 Sleep Incidents (1850-1900)
Josh Clark highlights the keepers' sense of responsibility, citing a study that revealed a mere 15 recorded instances of a keeper falling asleep between 1850 and 1900. He calculates this to account for only 15 instances of negligence over approximately 2.75 million lighthouse nights in the period, illustrating their exceptional dedication.
Lighthouse Keepers Rotated Duti ...
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The Lighthouse Keepers and Their Duties
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Counterarguments
- The meticulous hierarchy might have created a rigid work environment that could be stressful or limit the flexibility of the keepers.
- The low number of sleep incidents could be underreported due to self-reporting biases or lack of oversight, rather than indicating exceptional dedication.
- The rotation system, while ensuring continuous service, might have led to inconsistency in operations due to varying levels of experience and teamwork dynamics with each change.
- The necessity for keepers to adjust to different individuals during rotations could have potentially impacted the efficiency or safety of lighthouse operations.
- The presence of a local occasional keeper sugg ...
Actionables
- You can adopt a structured daily routine to enhance productivity by setting specific times for tasks, mirroring the meticulous hierarchy of lighthouse keepers. For example, designate the first hour of your day to planning and critical thinking, followed by a block of time for focused work, then scheduled breaks, and so on, to maintain a disciplined approach to your day.
- Implement a personal rotation system for household chores to ensure continuous upkeep and avoid burnout. Assign different family members or roommates to specific tasks each week, allowing for a variety of experiences and shared responsibility. This can help maintain a clean and organized living space while also providing everyone with a chance to rest from particular tasks periodically.
- Create a buddy system for learning new skills or hobbies that requires partneri ...
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The Mysterious Disappearance
On December 15, 1900, Steamship Archer Reported the Flannan Isles Lighthouse Unlit
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant recount the beginning of the mysterious disappearance, which involved the steamship, referred to as "actor" or "arctor," noting that this ship reported the Flannan Isles Lighthouse unlit. The transatlantic steamship Actor from Philadelphia had passed by the Flannan Isles on December 15th and found the light was not lit, an unusual and noteworthy observation later integrated into the investigation of the missing keepers.
Hesperus Arrived December 26th, Found Lighthouse Operational but Keepers Ducat, Marshall, and Macarthur Missing
The relief ship Hesperus arrived on December 26, 1900, to find the lighthouse operational but empty, with keepers Ducat, Marshall, and MacArthur missing. The crew attempted to signal those in the lighthouse using a horn and a flare but received no response. It's believed the event occurred on December 15th, as the last record on the log slate was from 9 a.m. that day and the disappearance must have happened before nightfall; otherwise, the light would have been lit. The lighthouse was lit again by relief workers after the disappearance of the keepers.
Extensive Search Finds No Struggle; Keepers' Effects and Lighthouse Immaculate, Except two Oilskins Missing
An extensive search showed no sign of a struggle; the keepers' effects and the lighthouse were in immaculate condition, except two oilskins were missing. The door and gate were closed; the kitchen was tidy, beds made, and clocks stopped from not being wound. A full fountain of paraffin oil and a clean Fresnel lens were noted, but the two sets of missing rain gear stood out as the only trace of the absent men.
Circumstances Surrounding the Keepers' Disappearance Have Sparked Theories, From Natural Storms To Supernatural Involvement of Pagan Gods or Island Dwellers
Investigator Suggests Freak Waves Washed Men Out to Sea; Tests Confirm Waves Reached Clifftop
Clark and Bryant explore various theories regarding the disappearance, from natural causes like storms to supernatural involvement. Discussing the possibility of freak waves causing the disappearance, the hosts note no significant storm damage to items like a crane around 70 feet above sea level. But a mooring ropes box at 110 feet had been smashed, and a buoy was torn away from its secured position. Iron railings were twisted, a 2,000-pound stone had moved, railway tracks were torn from concrete, and grass on the cliff's top, 200 feet up, had been displaced, suggesting wave involvement.
Field tests conducted by a later lighthouseman, Robert Aldebert, with coils of rope on t ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The Mysterious Disappearance
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore historical mysteries by starting a journal club with friends where each member presents a different unsolved case and the group discusses possible explanations. This encourages critical thinking and understanding of historical events, much like the Flannan Isles Lighthouse mystery, and can be a fun way to engage with history and develop research skills.
- Create a safety checklist for your home based on the meticulous condition of the lighthouse, ensuring that all potential hazards are addressed and emergency supplies are in place. This proactive approach to safety can help you prepare for unexpected events, similar to how the lighthouse was found in an orderly state despite the keepers' disappearance ...
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