7 Mysteries That Are Still Unexplained

3) Flannan Lighthouse Disappearances

The lighthouse in operation on the small island of Eilean Mor in the Flannan Islands, near Scotland, was found to be mysteriously vacant in 1900, with no explanation as to why the 3 attendants (James Ducat, Thomas Marshall, and Donald MacArthur) had gone or where they might have been. The life of a lighthouse operator could be lonely and the 3 men worked in shifts, always making sure that no ships came to harm on the rocky coasts. As the relief for the men arrived (a few days behind schedule on the day after Christmas), it was clear that things were not normal.

No one came out to greet the ship at dock, the flagpole was bare, and when searched, the island was found empty of souls save for the newly arrived crew (including Captain Harvey) and relief staff and some sheep which lived on the island. Clues inside the lighthouse included written logs which indicated the lighthouse operators were sad and agitated in the days leading up to their disappearance. The kitchen table still had food on it as in mid-meal, the kitchen clock had stopped, and a single dining chair was found overturned. And, 2 of the 3 oil cloth raincoats were missing, presumably being worn when the men disappeared.

Telegrams from Captain Harvey to mainland offices explained what he thought had happened to them: that they had been swallowed by giant waves while trying to secure some ropes near the rocks. But, this doesn’t explain the food left on the table or the log entries. Another modern explanation has been that the lighthouse crew may have gone mad with cabin fever, or that a fight broke out on the cliffs edge which led them all to fall in. We’ll never know since no bodies or relevant clues were ever found.

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