Off Watch Podcast

S2E5: "God is Over All"

October 30, 2023 Off Watch Podcast Season 2 Episode 5

Send us a text

"1pm. Storm ended, sea calm. God is over all" - the eerie last words entered into the logbook of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse. After 3 harrowing days & nights of raging storms in December 1900, three lighthouse keepers vanished from the remote island and were never seen again.

Regular listeners will know that we love a good mystery! And as we find ourself heading towards the Flannan's aboard our very own ghost ship, we just had to share the story - it is Halloween after all!

And who better to talk to us about Scottish lighthouse mysteries than the Northern Lighthouse Board's very own Gillian Burns! Gillian is, quite frankly, one of the coolest people we have ever met, she shares stories of her incredible 30 year career at the NLB, where commuting to work by helicopter and staying in remote Lighthouses is the norm.

This really is one of the most fascinating episodes we have worked on!

This season, we’re working in collaboration with SHE_SEES for Lloyd's Register Foundation with Emilie Sandy and Freeweaver SAORI Studio, London

------
Guests:
Gillian Burns, Navigation Officer
The Northern Lighthouse Board
------
Ships:
Waverly
------
Lighthouses:
Flannan Islands
Bell Rock
Rhinns Of Islay
Wolf Rock
Eddystone
Longships
------
Other Resources:
Video: Wolf Rock Lighthouse from the deck of the stricken 'Mazarine' Ro-Ro Freight/Ferry (Credit - Joe Garmory-Amps ) 
Article: The Unexplained Mystery of the Flannan Lighthouse (Credit -  The Malestrom)
Video: The Eerie Vanishing Of The Flannan Isles Lighthouse Keepers (Credit - Buzzfeed Unsolved)

Support the show

Listen to two passionate traditional sailors talk about the subject they love and have a laugh at the same time!

Follow us on Facebook/Instagram/Youtube: @offwatchpod
Sign up to our newsletter on our website
Want to support the show? Buy us a slice of pizza here


People on this episode