Geoscience Reference
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on the Flannans until the end of following month (January 1900), he would have been
awareofthelossofthecranesandlogsduetothewave.JamesDucatandThomasMar-
shallwouldhavebothbeenfullyawareofthepotentialforawavetoclearthetopofthe
cliff at the west landing which makes their behaviour all the more inexplicable if they
did venture down there on the afternoon of 15 December 1900 when the wind and sea
were increasing from Force 8 to Force 9 directly onto the landing.
Oneofthemainquestionsalsotobeaskediswhywouldanyofthethreelightkeepers
even venture out in the foulest of weather, let alone down to the west landing with the
potential danger there from large waves? The most likely answer to this question lies
in the correspondence between the NLB headquarters in Edinburgh and James Ducat
in his position as PLK on Eilean Mor, over eight months before the tragedy. Prior to
thiscorrespondencebetweenJamesDucatand84GeorgeStreet,anofficialcircularwas
sent out to all stations on 18 February 1898. The circular referred to an accident at Sule
lighthouse keeper on the Flannan Isles. The letter was written by James Murdoch, the
NLBsecretary,andwasinresponsetoaletterhehadreceivedfromDucaton24Febru-
ary 1900 concerning a minor accident involving the crane on the west landing at the
Flannan Isles Station. Murdoch's letter to Ducat stated:
Sir,
Referring to your letter of 24th February last, reporting the accident to the crane, while
under manipulation by Mr Marshall, one of your Assistants, I am to call your attention
prominently to the circular which was issued on 18th February 1898, (of the contents
of which both you and Mr Marshall are aware, and of which I enclose a copy), hold-
ing you responsible for seeing that the crane, hoisting gear, etc., are kept in a sound
and efficient state and are in every respect reliable etc., etc. This circular is sufficient
to impress on you the absolute necessity of exerting the utmost care and attention in
the use of the crane, and it would appear that, on the recent occasion, there must have
been thoughtlessness, at least on Mr Marshall's part, or the accident would not have
happened.
Fortunately no one was hurt, but, as there might have been very serious conse-
quences, Ihavetoimpress uponyouandtheotherKeepers attheStation, towhomyou
will read this letter, not only to bestow such care on the crane and its machinery and
tackle as is necessary to keep it efficient, but also to be very careful in the handling of
it. The foregoing remarks also apply to the landing derricks.
Your Obedient Servant,
