Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Despite the possibility of Walter Aldebert's theory, there is also another scenario
which would explain the visit of Muirhead and his wife on 7 December 1900 (an odd
time of year for the superintendent and his wife to visit considering the weather and
difficulties of landing on Eilean Mor in winter). The strong possibility is that there was
growing tension over the months at Breasclete and on the rock between the volatile
Donald Macarthur (who was known to be argumentative and hot headed) and James
Ducat which Muirhead was trying to resolve on his visit, as the Flannans was his pet
project. After his visit, tensions erupted again on the 15 December when Ducat asked
Macarthur to accompany him to go down to secure the crane and box of ropes on the
West landing. There was a violent disagreement about this between Macarthur and Du-
cat, soDucat went with Marshall instead, despite the weather,the size ofthe waves and
the dwindling light. Macarthur was fuming about the exchange and went after them in
a rage without his 'wearing coat'. Despite being a short man, Macarthur's temper had
got the better of him. he had spent nearly the whole previous two months on the station
covering for Ross, and his rage boiled over. Ducat's request on top of his other work as
duty cook was the final straw. He caught up with them just before the start of the steps
by the steep cliff, and a fight broke out. Marshall tried to intervene and his momentum
carried all three of them over the cliff and on to the rocks and boiling sea 110ft below.
Notes
1 The Times article stated she was eight years old. Correspondence regarding pensions and an-
nuities for James Ducat by the NLB stated she was nine years old. Interview, 'Boxing Day
on Flannan Rock' with Anna Ducat by Joan Simpson, The Times , 26 December 1990.
2 Interview 'Boxing Day on Flannan Rock', with Anna Ducat by Joan Simpson, The Times ,
26 December 1990.
3 The Met Office records for that day show that the winds were actually increasing in strength
throughout the day - see Appendix III.
 
 
 
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