echo This story is a work of fiction inspired by the historical mystery of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse keepers’ disappearance in 1900. While certain elements of the narrative draw upon details of the actual case, all characters, location, and outcomes presented are entirely fictional and are not meant to represent real persons or events. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or deceased, or real-life locations is purely coincidental.
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A Novel Beacon of Safety: Newly Erected Lighthouse Promises to Protect Against the Perilous Swells of Arnarson Isles
The Arnarson Isles, a collection of six forlorn isles in the North Atlantic Ocean, bear the name of the esteemed Ingolfur Arnarson, the first permanent settler of Iceland. These islands are notorious for their rogue waves capable of engulfing vessels without a moment’s notice. Furthermore, the region is possessed by tempestuous storms that can materialise with alarming swiftness, and a dense fog that descends during calm weathers can render even most seasoned mariners disoriented.
In the year of our Lord 1890, a most tragic maritime disaster unfolded, wherein three vessels, known by the monikers Titan, Par, and Winny, met with calamity upon the treacherous waters. This unfortunate event led to the untimely demise of more than 300 folks. Reports have indicated that the vessels depended on their own meager means of illumination to traverse the treacherous waters surrounding Arnarson Isles. Alas the sources proved inadequate, and the crews were taken by surprise as formidable waves engulfed the vessels entirely. In a notable development, the North Atlantic Lighthouse Authority (NALA) has put forth a proposal for the construction of a lighthouse atop the highest point of Drangshólm, the largest isle within the illustrious Arnarson Isles. It stands as a pivotal site, capable of steering vessels clear of the rogue waves, while also serving as a vigilant weather observation post to alert sailors and captains of impending tempests.
Commencement of construction activities was noted at the close of February in the year of our Lord 1894. In an announcement made yesterday, the fifteenth day of November in the year of our Lord 1899, it has been declared that the Arnarson Isles Lighthouse has reached the completion of its construction. This significant news was brought forth by none other than Mr. Norman Hutchison, esteemed president of NALA. It is with great anticipation that the public awaits the illumination of the lighthouse, set to occur on the first day of December, 1899.
—
December 10, 1900
Detective Gordon Roberts returns to the precinct office. Two hours of his day had been devoted to sitting in on meetings and discussions with the North Atlantic Lighthouse Authority (NALA) superintendent Vincent Bucham at their headquarters.
He uses one hand to carry his gladstone bag, and his other hand holds a thick folder beneath his armpit. He carelessly sets his bag on top of this desk before sitting down. After dropping the folder on the desk, he sits up straight and takes a seat forward, staring at it for a long time.
He opens the folder, and a sheet of paper falls out. He sighs, picking up the contract from the floor, which details his latest case.
CONTRACT FOR INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES
This Agreement is entered into this tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord 1900, between the North Atlantic Lighthouse Authority, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Client’, and Mr. Gordon Roberts, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Investigator’.
- Purpose of Engagement
The Client hereby retains the services of the Investigator to:
- Ascertain the whereabouts or fate of Jones Dixon, Tom Milne, and Danial McFarlane, the three missing lightkeepers assigned to the Arnarson Isles lighthouse.
- Investigate all related circumstances surrounding their disappearance, including but not limited to potential foul play, environmental hazards, or other anomalies pertinent to the case.
- Duration of Service
- The investigation shall commence forthwith upon the signing of this Agreement and shall conclude until the matter is resolved to the Client’s satisfaction, or earlier as the Client shall determine.
- Compensation
- The Investigator shall receive the sum of Fifty Pounds Sterling (£50) upon signing this Agreement. A further sum of Seventy Pounds Sterling (£70) shall be payable upon the delivery of findings.
- Reasonable expenses for travel, lodging, and necessary materials shall be reimbursed by the Client upon presentation of suitable receipts.
- Confidentiality
- The Investigator hereby covenants and agrees to maintain strict confidentiality concerning all findings, observations, and conversations related to this engagement. No disclosure of such information shall be made without the express written consent of the Client.
- Reporting
- The Investigator shall furnish a detailed report to the Client upon conclusion of the investigation or as may be requested during the course thereof.
- Termination of Agreement
- This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon the giving of no less than seven days’ written notice. Any all outstanding sums owing to the Investigator at the time of termination shall be settled forthwith.
In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have affixed their signatures as of the date first above written.
Signed:
V. Bucham
Roberts
Gordon cautiously places the contract in the top drawer under his desk. His inquisitive attention returns to the open folder. What is one to make of the sudden disappearance of three men from a large island?
The power of nature? Foul play? An unfortunate mishap?
All plausible conclusions indeed; nevertheless, in order to find the smoking gun, he requires additional information and proof.
And so he started flipping through the numerous documents in the file.
—
[Private Detective Gordon Robert’s Investigative Journal: Entry #1]
December 13, 1900. The Arnarson Isles rose starkly from the azure waters, a striking sight against the vast expanse of the ocean. From the vessel, I beheld the lighthouse standing steadfast. Alas we were met with silence upon arrival at the dock. It was quite unsettling, if I may say so. The interior possessed an eerie quality; details noted could highlight both the keepers’ ordinary habits and the suddenness of their disappearance. A rather haunting juxtaposition.
Exterior Observations
- Docks stand desolate. No signs of life.
- Empty landing stage.
- Faint traces of footprints meandering from the lighthouse to the edge of a rocky terrain, scattered and indistinct, as if made in haste. There are no indications of a conflict having taken place.
- Oil lamp rests upon the grass, beside the imprints of footsteps.
- Unusual watermarks distant from the shoreline.
Beacon’s Hearth
- Two raincoats missing from the coat racks adjacent to the main entrance door.
- A meal, partially savored within the confines of the kitchen. Food is somewhat tainted.
- Two of the three keepers’ quarters displayed unmade beds.
- Work tools lie strewn about haphazardly in the vicinity of the lamp maintenance area.
- Light mechanism dysfunctional. Oil wick spilled out on the floor within the lantern chamber.
- Open log book. Last entry was made on November 25.
—
[Interview Log #1]
December 15, 1900 – 1125
Subject: John Henderson, Captain of Fergus, supply vessel of Arnarson Isles Lighthouse
Investigator: Greetings to you this fine morning. I appreciate your willingness to engage with me regarding the recent disappearance of the three lighthouse keepers at Arnarson Isles.
Henderson: A most sorrowful incident, indeed, good sir.
Investigator: As per my records, you were navigating the supply vessel towards the Arnarson Isles on the fifth day of December.
Henderson: Quite so. It was the appointed month for their regular consignment of provisions, and the relief keeper, Josiah Mackie, embedded alongside. He had not received word to resume his duties for some time to relieve Daniel McFarlane.
Investigator: Do you understand the reason behind that circumstance?
Henderson: He informed that the Icelandic Maritime Administration had not been in receipt of any correspondence from McFarlane seeking relief since their previous rotation up until that point.
Investigator: Acknowledged. Recount the events that transpired upon your arrival at the Arnarson Isles.
Henderson: We found the docks eerily deserted, a most unusual occurrence, for the keepers would always be present, not merely for the sake of custom, but also to lend a hand in ferrying their provisions to the lighthouse. I surmised they might be occupied by some repair work, so I sounded the vessel’s whistle several times, yet there was still no response.
Investigator: Did you set foot upon the island, and if so, what sights did you behold?
Henderson: We certainly did. One of my fellow crew members was the first to notice that the provision boxes were not left on the landing stage for our replenishment.
Investigator: Was there anything else out of the ordinary?
Henderson: Indeed. Mackie and I made our way into the lighthouse, and there were no lights illuminating the interior. We strolled about, calling out for the keepers, yet we were answered with the same silence.
Investigator: What peculiarities have you observed within the confines of the lighthouse?
Henderson: Perhaps the surrounding air that enveloped us.
Investigator: I beg your pardon?
Henderson: Make no mistake of my words, Detective. The building stood silent, yet the atmosphere was thick with an unseen presence, as if unseen eyes were upon us…
Investigator: …I see. A final query, when did you last lay eyes on the keepers?
Henderson: During the course of their prior replenishment of supplies the month before. I rarely see them beyond that.
Investigator: I appreciate your attention and comprehension. I may reach out to you again for additional inquiries should any new information come to light.
Notes: Captain Henderson exhibited a composed demeanour. He shared a few particulars regarding the lighthouse, yet no concrete evidence.
—
[Interview Log #2]
December 16, 1900 – 1430
Subject: Josiah Mackie, relief keeper for Arnarson Isles Lighthouse
Investigator: Good day to you. I appreciate your willingness to engage with me regarding the recent disappearance of the three lighthouse keepers at Arnarson Isles.
Mackie: No trouble at all.
Investigator: As per my records, you are the relief keeper at the Arnarson Isles Lighthouse. Could enlighten me further regarding your position?
Mackie: Indeed. I primarily rotate with Daniel McFarlane. He has a rather large family— a wife and five children, as I have been informed, thus he would occasionally step away from responsibilities as a keeper to attend to his family’s needs. Whenever he does, he would send a letter to the administration, who would then inform me so that I might take a ride on Fergus during the forthcoming supply shipment. I shall assume his responsibilities at the lighthouse alongside the other two until McFarlane makes his return.
Investigator: Do you know the three keepers on a personal level?
Mackie: Ah, not in a very personal matter. But indeed, I would assert that I have become quite acquainted with them.
Investigator: I see. Could you first enlighten me regarding Daniel McFarlane?
Mackie: He’s likely the one with whom I’ve exchanged the fewest words among the trio. I was often quite intimidated by his robust stature, yet I could sense the gentle soul within whenever we conversed.
Investigator: I have been told that it has been some time since you were last called to take over from McFarlane. What is the precise duration of that?
Mackie: Indeed. The most recent occasion I found myself tending to the lighthouse was in the month of June. Though he typically does not adhere to a strict schedule for job rotation, he tends to dispatch his request for relief after approximately three months. I approached the maritime administration regarding the matter, coincidentally on the same day they received the report concerning the lighthouse from another vessel. Something about the absence of illumination from the lighthouse…
Investigator: The lighthouse was unlit? When did that occur?
Mackie: Twenty-ninth of November was when I made my approach to the administration.
Investigator: I see. Please enlighten me regarding the remaining two keepers. What was the experience of working with them?
Mackie: Jones Dixon was ever the most responsible individual. He possesses a rather authoritative demeanour, and he approaches all matters with utmost seriousness. I am quite convinced that he has memorised all our schedules and responsibilities, as he diligently reminds everyone of their respective duties. It stands to reason, as he is the individual tasked with documenting in the logs and preparing the summary reports. Aside from that, he remains quite a genial fellow to be in the company of.
Investigator: And what of Tom Milne?
Mackie: Milne truly an expressive man. He is typically in high spirits, often initiating ‘board game night’ following evening meals. Aside from that, he is the principal overseer of the maintenance schedule, which encompasses the examination of spare lamps and lenses, the rotation of the light’s oil wicks, and ensuring that the backup system is prepared for use.
Investigator: I see. That shall suffice for the present moment.
Notes: It is rather difficult to enquire about any peculiarities regarding the keepers, as he has not laid eyes upon them since the month of June. Yet, I now acquire information regarding has traversed the waters near the Arnarson Isles. I must seek clarification about the matter.
—
[Letter Regarding the Recent Report on the Unlit Lighthouse on Arnarson Isles]
Icelandic Maritime Administration,
December 18, 1900.
Private Detective Gordon Roberts,
Hafnir Constabulary.
We are most grateful for your correspondence. In response to your enquiry, a cargo vessel was making its way from Bergen, Norway to Liverpool, England. We were informed that it embarked on its journey on November 27, passing by the Arnarson Isles, observing the lack of luminescence among shrouded darkness. Fortunately, the evening weather was quite calm, allowing them to navigate the waters with little difficulty. Upon their arrival at Liverpool on November 29, the captain of the vessel promptly made a report to us.
We appreciate your unwavering commitment to unravelling this mystery. Kindly do not hesitate to reach out should you require any additional assistance.
Henrietta Coutts,
Corresponding Secretary.
—
[JOURNAL OF LIGHTSTATION AT ARNARSON ISLES]
MONTH: November
| DAY | REMARKS |
|---|---|
| 16 | Weather permitting, nearby path tidied, ventured to the shore to collect driftwood. |
| 17 | Light tasks such as examining lenses and winding the intricate clockwork mechanism. Engaged in a few spirited games of cards. Milne devoted an hour to reading. McFarlane penned letters for his kin. |
| 18 | Inspection day, all mechanisms and records are in proper order, back up lamps are functional, provision boxes have been inspected and collected for replenishment. |
| 19 | Thorough scrubbing of the designated quarters and the interior of the lighthouse. Devoted the hours from afternoon to evening to the meticulous task of tidying the lantern room, striving for the finest clarity of illumination. |
| 21 | Weather took a turn for the worst, a fierce and unexpected storm arose. Exterior inspection cannot be performed. |
| 22 | The storm rages on with unyielding ferocity. Wne can hear the mighty waves crashing against the rugged cliffs of the island. The winds were fierce, unlike anything I have encountered in two decades. Milne cried incessantly. McFarlane remained in his quarter, loud sounds emanating from within. Dixon kept to himself for the greater part of the time. |
| 23 | We huddled closely most of the day. We pray for the storm to cease. With each rumble of thunder and every crashing wave, we beseech for our safe passage throughout the storm. McFarlane snapped at us, lamenting his missing correspondence; he muttered further about his kin. He burst forth into the tempest following the evening meal. |
| 24 | Landing stage broken by the storm. Milne headed out to fetch back the gears and ropes. |
| 25 | The storm has passed. Skies are calm. God is over all. |
—
[Private Detective Gordon Robert’s Investigative Journal: Entry #2]
December 20, 1900. Upon reviewing the keepers’ log, it appears they experienced a rather ordinary week as they approached the twenty-first day of November. Yet, the absence of a record for the twentieth day casts a shadow of doubt upon the occurrences of that time. Entries thereafter evoke a great deal of perplexity and confusion. The sudden storm appeared to have caused distress among the three keepers, bringing about a significant shift in demeanor. Jones Dixon, the typically authoritative figure, was uncharacteristically quiet. (This remark bears a different handwriting, affirming that Dixon was indeed the writer of the log entries, while another must have inscribed this additional note)
Tom Milne, typically the cheerful and optimistic individual, was noted to have cried frequently. Daniel McFarlane, whom Mackie described as possessing a gentle disposition, seems to be in a fit of rage within his quarters, as indicated by Dixon’s account of the ‘loud sounds’ emanating from there.
My foremost enigma was why the three men were instilled with such dread at the sight of a storm? Though they may not engage in any labor beyond the confines, they ought to find solace within the lighthouse’s sturdy walls. McFarlane’s conduct was particularly startling. What could possibly compel him to dash out into the stormy night following such a trivial quarrel?
Based on the last few log entries, I am able to derive several conclusions:
- McFarlane seized a raincoat as he stormed out of the lighthouse following the altercation, while another keeper retrieved a second coat and followed McFarlane in an attempt to soothe his nerves. The pair was swept away by a mighty surge as they approached the rocky terrain.
- McFarlane perished in the midst of the fierce storm and towering swells after making a hasty exit. Milne also met his fate after daring to venture out to the landing stage. Yet, as I recall my excursion to the Arnarson Isles just a week past, there was absence of any equipment in proximity to the stage. Indeed, the landing stage remained wholly preserved.
(It is worth noting that the twenty-fourth entry was penned in shaky handwriting, and there was no reference to the outcome of Milne).
The fate of Jones Dixon remains shrouded in uncertainty. The final entry bears his own handwriting, yet the manner and moment of his disappearance remains a mystery.
—
Subject: Conclusive Report on the Disappearance of the Lighthouse Keepers at Arnarson Isles Lighthouse
Date: December 25, 1900
To: North Atlantic Lighthouse Authority (NALA)
Upon completion the current investigation, which encompassed a meticulous search of the Arnarson Isles, a careful review of the keepers’ log entries, and interviews with individuals associated to the matter, the ensuing conclusions have been drawn at this juncture:
- Chronicle of Events: The log entries—from the twenty-first till twenty-fourth day of November—indicate an environmental disturbance marked by an unusually ferocious storm. A dispute had also arisen among the three, which appeared to have been instigated by Daniel McFarlane as per the records.
- Circumstantial Evidence: The absence of two missing coats strongly suggests that two of the three keepers departed the lighthouse of their own accord. Footprints were noted upon the edge of a rocky terrain bordering the shores of the isles. The malfunctioning light mechanism in the lantern chamber may account for the extinguished beacon noted by the cargo ship.
- Unresolved Questions: No bodies are recovered upon the isles. No specific event that clarifies which keeper met their demise and under what circumstances. Absence of record on the twentieth day.
Conclusion:
The cause of the disappearance of the three keepers remains undetermined. Based on the information I managed to gather, I can infer that the men were swept away into the vast ocean on separate occasions after daring to leave the secure confines of the lighthouse. Yet, as it stands, it is difficult to ascertain the precise moment they met their demise. I suggest we formally conclude the investigation until additional evidence comes to light.
Signed
Roberts
Private Detective
—
The Mystery Behind the Disappearance of the Arnarson Isles Lighthouse
November 30, 2020 – Izzy Roy
As an avid lover of the ocean and unsolved mysteries, the case of the disappearing lighthouse keepers at the Arnarson Isles is one of my personal favourites. It’s been 120 years since this event, and we still don’t have a clear answer to the mystery.
As far as we know, the three keepers got swept away into the deep sea of the North Atlantic. But how they ended up meeting their fate remains unknown. It’s rather ironic, really. A lighthouse is there to keep ships safe from the unpredictable weather and rogue waves at the ocean, but the very keepers who look after it end up becoming part of the ocean themselves in the end…
(It’s a metaphor for their decease… in case you couldn’t tell.)
Anyway, without further dilly dallying, let me share the story we know so far behind the Arnarson Isles Lighthouse:
[Attached: Image of a newspaper article written on November 16, 1899. The bolded headline reads: A Novel Beacon of Safety: Newly Erected Lighthouse Promises to Protect Against the Perilous Swells of Arnarson Isles]
Written by: Isabelle
Edited by: Zhen Li
