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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
were adhering to the ropes, it was evident that the force of the sea pouring through the
railingshad,evenatthisgreatheight(110feetabovesealevel)tornthelifebuoyoffthe
ropes.
When the accident occurred, Ducat was wearing sea boots and a waterproof, and
Marshallseabootsandoilskins,andasMooreassuresmethatthemenonlyworethose
articles when going down to the landings, they must have intended, when they left the
station, either to go down to the landing or the proximity of it.
Afteracarefulexaminationoftheplace,therailings,ropes,etc.,andweighingallthe
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,
the 15th 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,
andalargebodyofwatergoinguphigherthanwheretheywereandcomingdownupon
them had swept them away with resistless force. 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 opinion, notwithstanding its great force, that the more probable explanation is
that they have been washed away, as, had the wind caught them, it would, from its dir-
ection,haveblownthemuptheisland,andIfeelcertainthattheywouldhavemanaged
to throw themselves down before they reached the summit or brow of the island.
On the conclusion of my enquiry on Saturday afternoon, I returned to Breascleit,
wired the result of my investigations to the Secretary, and called on the widows of
James Ducat, the Principal Keeper, and Donald Macarthur, the Occasional Keeper.
I may state that, as Moore was naturally very much upset by the unfortunate occur-
rence, 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. If this nervous-
ness does not leave Moore, he will require to be transferred, but I am reluctant to re-
commend this, as I would desire to have one man at least who knows the work of the
Station. The Commissioners appointed Roderick MacKenzie, Gamekeeper, Uig, near
Meavsig, 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. As it was evident that the light had
not been lit from the 15th to the 26th of December, I resolved to see him on Sunday
morning,toascertainwhathehadtosayonthesubject.Hewasfromhome,butIfound
histwosons,agedabout18and16-twomostintelligent ladsofthegamekeeperclass,
and who actually perform the duty of looking out for the signals - and had a conversa-
