The missing lighthouse keepers of Ogel Rock - an unsolved mystery
Jonas P. Williams (junior lighthouse keeper, lower step)
Thomas A. Beckett (senior lighthouse keeper, upper step)
The two men seen in the photo were sent to Ogel Rock Lighthouse, September 1st, 1899 for a six month season. Thomas Beckett and Jonas Williams had worked 3 prior seasons together (with Thomas having 10 years more experience as well), and were good friends with no reported quarrels or other issues. On December 13th, the freighter S.S. Helsinki passed through the area. They noticed the light was out and no response was given to hails over the wireless. Two days later when the Helsinki made port and filed a complaint with the British Govt., a relief crew was sent over to Ogel Rock to see what was wrong.
They found the lighthouse deserted with the front door bashed inwards - torn completely from it's hinges. Food was still on the now-cold stove and a half eaten bowl of clam chowder on the table with another empty bowl nearby. The bad-weather gear was stored away properly, and the last log entry was dated December 10th. It read in part: "Fog so thick you can cut with a knife has rolled in yesterday and won't leave. Strange noises outside the door too, almost like someone banging on it, trying to get in. Will investigate that more tomorrow morning, if the blasted fog lifts." Strangely, when ship-based weather records were then re-checked for the area, no fog was reported that week around Ogel Rock. Apart from the demolished front door and strange weather as reported by the log, there was no signs of struggle or anything unusual, and no trace of Williams or Beckett was ever found. Their fate remains a mystery to this day.
The missing lighthouse keepers of Ogel Rock - an unsolved mystery
Jonas P. Williams (junior lighthouse keeper, lower step)
Thomas A. Beckett (senior lighthouse keeper, upper step)
The two men seen in the photo were sent to Ogel Rock Lighthouse, September 1st, 1899 for a six month season. Thomas Beckett and Jonas Williams had worked 3 prior seasons together (with Thomas having 10 years more experience as well), and were good friends with no reported quarrels or other issues. On December 13th, the freighter S.S. Helsinki passed through the area. They noticed the light was out and no response was given to hails over the wireless. Two days later when the Helsinki made port and filed a complaint with the British Govt., a relief crew was sent over to Ogel Rock to see what was wrong.
They found the lighthouse deserted with the front door bashed inwards - torn completely from it's hinges. Food was still on the now-cold stove and a half eaten bowl of clam chowder on the table with another empty bowl nearby. The bad-weather gear was stored away properly, and the last log entry was dated December 10th. It read in part: "Fog so thick you can cut with a knife has rolled in yesterday and won't leave. Strange noises outside the door too, almost like someone banging on it, trying to get in. Will investigate that more tomorrow morning, if the blasted fog lifts." Strangely, when ship-based weather records were then re-checked for the area, no fog was reported that week around Ogel Rock. Apart from the demolished front door and strange weather as reported by the log, there was no signs of struggle or anything unusual, and no trace of Williams or Beckett was ever found. Their fate remains a mystery to this day.