The Lighthouse: The Mystery of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Keepers
What really happened to the mysteriously vanished lighthouse keepers of the Flannan Isles—a true story, evocative of The Shining

On December 26, 1900, the vessel Hesperus arrived at Eilean Mor in the remote Outer Hebrides with relief lighthouse men and fresh provisions. Staffed by three keepers, the lighthouse had been in operation for a year, but no light had been seen from Eilean Mor for 10 days. Upon arrival, the superintendent, Robert Muirhead, found the lighthouse to be completely deserted, and a subsequent search of the surrounding island failed to show any sign of what happened to the keepers. The last entry in the lighthouse logbook had been made on December 15, and contained a number of strange and distressing entries that offered clues as to the mental state of the men. One was reported to have been crying, while another had become "very quiet." When it was revealed that the men's oilskin coats were missing and the clock in the lighthouse had stopped, inevitable theories surrounding the keepers' fates were soon put forward. These included a giant wave washing them away, murder and suicide by the men themselves, and more esoteric explanations, as Eilean Mor was believed to have mystical properties. This book explores this mysterious and chilling story in depth for the first time and reveals a shocking conclusion.

1138754071
The Lighthouse: The Mystery of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Keepers
What really happened to the mysteriously vanished lighthouse keepers of the Flannan Isles—a true story, evocative of The Shining

On December 26, 1900, the vessel Hesperus arrived at Eilean Mor in the remote Outer Hebrides with relief lighthouse men and fresh provisions. Staffed by three keepers, the lighthouse had been in operation for a year, but no light had been seen from Eilean Mor for 10 days. Upon arrival, the superintendent, Robert Muirhead, found the lighthouse to be completely deserted, and a subsequent search of the surrounding island failed to show any sign of what happened to the keepers. The last entry in the lighthouse logbook had been made on December 15, and contained a number of strange and distressing entries that offered clues as to the mental state of the men. One was reported to have been crying, while another had become "very quiet." When it was revealed that the men's oilskin coats were missing and the clock in the lighthouse had stopped, inevitable theories surrounding the keepers' fates were soon put forward. These included a giant wave washing them away, murder and suicide by the men themselves, and more esoteric explanations, as Eilean Mor was believed to have mystical properties. This book explores this mysterious and chilling story in depth for the first time and reveals a shocking conclusion.

24.99 In Stock
The Lighthouse: The Mystery of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Keepers

The Lighthouse: The Mystery of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Keepers

by Keith McCloskey
The Lighthouse: The Mystery of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Keepers

The Lighthouse: The Mystery of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Keepers

by Keith McCloskey

Paperback

$24.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 6-10 days.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

What really happened to the mysteriously vanished lighthouse keepers of the Flannan Isles—a true story, evocative of The Shining

On December 26, 1900, the vessel Hesperus arrived at Eilean Mor in the remote Outer Hebrides with relief lighthouse men and fresh provisions. Staffed by three keepers, the lighthouse had been in operation for a year, but no light had been seen from Eilean Mor for 10 days. Upon arrival, the superintendent, Robert Muirhead, found the lighthouse to be completely deserted, and a subsequent search of the surrounding island failed to show any sign of what happened to the keepers. The last entry in the lighthouse logbook had been made on December 15, and contained a number of strange and distressing entries that offered clues as to the mental state of the men. One was reported to have been crying, while another had become "very quiet." When it was revealed that the men's oilskin coats were missing and the clock in the lighthouse had stopped, inevitable theories surrounding the keepers' fates were soon put forward. These included a giant wave washing them away, murder and suicide by the men themselves, and more esoteric explanations, as Eilean Mor was believed to have mystical properties. This book explores this mysterious and chilling story in depth for the first time and reveals a shocking conclusion.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780750953658
Publisher: The History Press
Publication date: 10/01/2014
Pages: 228
Product dimensions: 5.00(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Keith McCloskey is the author of Airwork: A History and Mountain of the Dead.

Table of Contents

Foreword 7

Acknowledgements 9

Prologue: The Missing Light 11

1 Lewis and the Flannans 15

2 The NLB and the Life of a Lighthouseman 21

3 The Lightkeepers and a Reconstruction of 15 December 1900 55

4 Discovery 65

5 Aftermath 89

6 Giant Wave 119

7 Murder 147

8 Supernatural 173

9 Conclusions 197

Appendix I 'Flannan Isle' 201

Appendix II Abstract of Signalman's Returns (Roderick MacKenzie) for Flannan Isles Lighthouse 205

Appendix III Weather Details 207

Appendix IV Recollections of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse by Norrie Muir Plk 211

Appendix V Eilean Mor Lighthouse Prayer 215

Sources and Further Reading 217

Index 219

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews