The Flannan Islands Lighthouse was immortalized in Wilfrid Wilson Gibson's poem 'Flannan Isle', his account of the mysterious disappearance of the three keepers from the lighthouse there in December 1900. The lighthouse appears to have been running normally until the 15th of December, but when members of the crew of the Hesperus, one of the lighthouse service vessels, made a routine visit to the lighthouse 11 days later, none of the staff were to be found. How or why the lightkeepers disappeared remains a mystery.
The records of the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses listed below relate to the Flannan Islands mystery. They are outhoused, so please give advance notice before visiting us to see them. Please remember to quote the reference number when ordering documents.
Please note that we do not hold the log book for the Flannan Islands Lighthouse. It was not amongst the records deposited with National Records of Scotland by the Commissioners.
NLC 2/1/88 and NLC2/1/89
Minute book of the Commissioners and index to the minute book (1901-1903).
The following items are minuted in 1901 meetings:
1. Short account of the report on the disaster by the superintendent, and the distribution of gratuities and pensions to widows, p.2.
2. Fatal accident enquiry: Crown Office Crown Counsel considers inquiry unnecessary but requests report of Commissioner's Official, p.20.
3. Salaries of lightkeepers, gratuities and pensions paid to widows of the Flannan Islands principal and assistant lightkeepers, pp.35, 39.
4. Claim on behalf of Mr John Marshall father of the late Thomas Marshall, occasional staff, pp.48, 62.
NLC3/1/1
Secretary's department correspondence and reports, 1 Jan 1901-31 March 1902
The correspondence includes:
1. Copy telegrams and letter from the master of the Hesperus reporting the disaster and steps taken subsequently. (26-28 December 1900, 19 February 1901)
2. Letter from Henderson and MacIntosh that Captain Holman of SS Archtor passed rock on 15 December and saw no light. (28 December 1900)
3. Letter from the Board of Trade, expressing sympathy and asking for further information on the disaster. (28 December 1900)
4. Signed statement of Captain Holman, SS Archtor. (29 December 1900)
5. Lists of transfers in consequence of disaster. (7 January 1901)
6. Report by Superintendent Muirhead on the disaster. (8 January 1901)
8. Report of accountant on above due to deceased keepers and memo as to disposal of proceeds of Ducat's insurance policy. (February 1901)
9. Information from W. Ross, assistant lightkeeper, as to the widow of the occasional staff member. (14 January 1901)
11. Letter from Crown Office as to inquiry under Fatal Accident Inquiry Act 1895. (18 February 1901)
12. Letter from John Marshall as to his daughter (22 February 1901)
13. Letter from Board of Trade refusing to sanction additional payment. (22 January 1901)
16. Letter from Board of Trade sanctioning pensions and gratuities to Mrs. Ducat and family. (8 March 1901)
17. Letter from Board of Trade sanctioning gratuities to Mrs. McArthur, widow, and family. (18 March 1901)
18. Letter from David Brown regarding the claim by John Marshall on account of loss of his son. (11 May 1901)
19. Reply from the secretary that the Northern Lights Commissioners cannot accede to his claim. (14 June 1901)
29. Copy letter from Solicitor General regarding Marshall's claim. (26 March 1902)
NLC53/3/1
Flannan Islands' visitors album, 1899-1971
You can read more about the disappearance of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse Keepers on the NRS blog.
