The Empty Table
In December 1900, a relief ship arrived at the Eilean Mòr lighthouse in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The relief keeper, Joseph Moore, found the gate closed and the chimney cold. Inside, the scene was unsettling: the kitchen table was set for a meal that was never eaten, a chair was toppled over, and the clock had stopped. The three keepers-Thomas Marshall, James Ducat, and Donald MacArthur-were gone. The only clue was the logbook, which contained erratic entries describing a storm that didn’t exist.
The Logbook of Madness
The final log entries described the men crying and praying in terror due to a “great storm.” However, nearby ships reported calm seas on those specific dates. The final entry read simply: “Storm ended, sea calm. God is over all.”
- The Giant Wave Theory: The official investigation concluded that the men were swept away by a freak wave while trying to secure equipment on the West Landing. High winds could have created sudden swells even in calm weather.
- The Psychology of Isolation: Some theorize that the isolation drove one keeper to madness, leading him to murder the others before throwing himself into the sea.
- The Supernatural: Local folklore claims the “Phantom of the Seven Hunters” lured them away. The fact that their oilskins (raincoats) were missing suggests they went out willingly, but one set of oilskins was found left behind-meaning one man went out into a “storm” without protection.
The Conclusion: No bodies were ever found. The Flannan Isles lighthouse remains automated today, but the mystery of what terrified three experienced seamen enough to abandon their post-and their dinner-remains unsolved.