DISCOVERY - The Lighthouse - page 51

Another conclusion that can be reached is that the entries were complete and utter
nonsense, dreamt up by a pulp fiction writer who could not or would not identify his
supposed'English Sources', probably because they never existed inthe first place. Fol-
lowing on from this, these false entries have entered the lore of the story without being
questioned over the years.
Finally, the 'overturned chair' that is sometimes mentioned actually comes from the
poem 'Flannan Isle', like the uneaten meal.
Notes
1 Captain Holman's statement, of passing the Flannan Isles on 15-16 December 1900, 29
December 1900, Scottish National Archives file no. NLC3/1/1. It is erroneously reported in
some accounts that the Archtor docked at Oban after passing the Flannan Isles on 15-16
December 1900, but this is not the case. The voyage was listed as Philadelphia-Leith. It
would have been impossible for the Archtor , having sailed past the Flannan Isles down to
Oban, docked and then set sail for Leith around the north of Scotland, to have grounded her-
self on the Carphie Rock on 17 December 1900 in that time frame. Finally the court inquiry
held on 22-23 January 1901 (report no. 6137) makes no mention of Oban.
2 Article 'Rescued a Steamer at Sea', 6 November 1900, New York Times .
3 Court inquiry, Sunderland 22-23 January 1901, report no. 6137 published by Board of
Trade, 8 February 1901. Holman was aware there was a problem with the compasses on the
vessel and used deviation cards, but after being absent for six months from the Archtor , only
arriving back to take command in November 1900, there is certainly an argument he should
have taken greater care.
4 Ibid.
5 Letter from Henderson and McIntosh to the Secretary, Northern Lighthouse Board, Edin-
burgh, Scottish National Archives file no. NL/3/1/1.
6 Ibid.
7 Court inquiry, Sunderland 22-23 January 1901, report no. 6137 published by Board of
Trade, 8 February 1901.
8 The magnification of the telescope is not mentioned - only that it was 'powerful'. Scottish
National Archives file no. NL/3/1/1.
9 Hesperus was a steel twin-screw steamer built in 1896 and eventually broken up in 1940 by
Clayton & Davie Ltd, Dunston-on-Tyne.
10 Copy of text of telegram from Captain Harvey, Scottish National Archive file no. NLC3/1/1.
Harvey's name is spelt as Harvie/Harvey in various accounts.
11 Ibid.
12 Report by Superintendent Robert Muirhead on disaster at Flannan Isles Lighthouse, dated 8
January 1901, Scottish National Archive file no. NLC3/1/1.