Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
used at Eilean Mor from the takeover by the replacement lightkeepers. It may also help
to explain why the logbook has disappeared. With its removal from Eilean Mor rather
than just allowing it to be completed and returned in the normal course for filing away
in archives, Muirhead may have felt that as it was the primary document relating to the
tragedy,it shouldbekept separately fromthe archives incase anyone wished toconsult
it. It is possible that the letter sent by the Crown Office to the NLB (
see Chapter 7
) on
1 February 1901 may have included a request to see the logbook, and with the passing
out of the topic for inspection, and with the passing of time, it has either been mislaid
or filed away somewhere and forgotten over the years.
Muirhead's report is the most comprehensive account of the uncovering of the
tragedy. It was written with the benefit of immediacy (almost two weeks after the dis-
covery of the missing keepers) and the fact that Muirhead himself acted as the main
investigator. It could be argued that at least one other independent investigator may
havebeenabletoaddsomethingtothemystery,butMuirheadwastheBoard'ssuperin-
tendent and with his background and intimate knowledge he would have been the best
placed, in any event, to undertake the investigation and write the report. However, al-
most as important, as he was literally first on the scene, is the much shorter report sent
to the NLB Secretary by the ALK Joseph Moore. Moore's report was written on 28
December 1900, only two days after the discovery of the missing keepers. Written on
Flannan Islands Lighthouse headed paper, he states:
14
Sir,
It's with deep regret I wish you to learn the very sad affair which has taken place
here during the past fortnight; namely the disappearance of my poor fellow Lighthouse
Keepers Mr Ducat and Mr Marshall together with the occasional Keeper Donald Ma-
carthur from off this island.
As you are aware the relief was here on 26th. That day as on other relief days, we
came to anchorage under Flannan Islands, and not seeing the lighthouse flag flying
we thought they did not perceive us coming. The steamer's horn was sounded sever-
al times. Still no reply. At last Captain Harvey deemed it prudent to lower a boat and
land a man if it was possible. I was the first to land leaving Mr McCormack and his
men in the boat till I should return from the lighthouse. I went up and on coming to
the entrance gate, I found it closed. I made for entrance door leading to the kitchen and
store and I found it also closed and the door inside that, but the kitchen door was open.
On entering the kitchen I looked at the fireplace and saw that the fire was not lighted
for some days. I then entered the rooms in succession, found the beds empty, just as
they left them in the early morning. I did not take time to search further. For I only too
well knew that something serious had occurred. I darted out and made for the landing.
