Vanished Without Trace 19xx.xx.xx Lighthouse

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Vanished Without Trace 19xx.xx.xx Lighthouse
Release Date: January 31, 2025

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Introduction

Vanished Without Trace delves into the enigmatic disappearance of the Bird Rock Island lighthouse keepers in 1932. Set against the backdrop of the Bahamas' tropical allure, this episode masterfully intertwines dramatic dialogue with a haunting mystery, capturing listeners with its rich storytelling and unresolved intrigue.

Setting the Scene

The narrative unfolds on Bird Rock Island, one of the thousand-island archipelago in the West Indies, home to a solitary lighthouse manned by three individuals:

• Mrs. Matilda Clark: The steady and concerned wife of the senior lighthouse keeper.
• Bertram Clark: The authoritative senior lighthouse keeper, dedicated to his duties.
• Thomas Watkins: The junior lighthouse keeper, whose growing anxiety hints at deeper tensions.

Rising Tensions and Mysterious Sightings

From the onset, tension is palpable. Thomas Watkins reports a disturbing sighting:

Thomas Watkins [01:48]: "But I tell you, Tildy, I saw it with my own eyes. A sea monster, I tell you."

Bertram dismisses Thomas's claims, labeling them as hallucinations and cautioning him about the repercussions of reporting such tales:

Bertram Clark [02:13]: "Thomas Watkins is suffering from hallucinations. That's their nice way of saying that you're going off your rocker."

The couple's interaction reveals underlying strains, with Thomas feeling isolated and Bertram prioritizing duty over familial concerns.

The Unsettling Sounds

As night descends, eerie sounds permeate the island. Mrs. Clark notices unusual noises, leading to heightened paranoia:

Mrs. Matilda Clark [04:25]: "What's that sound? Tommy? Tommy."

Despite Bertram's attempts to rationalize the noises as natural phenomena, Thomas remains convinced of a malevolent presence:

Thomas Watkins [04:40]: "That's the sound I heard last night."

The suspense builds as the lighthouse's light revolves, momentarily illuminating what Thomas describes as an "enormous snake" emerging from the sea:

Thomas Watkins [05:47]: "It was like an enormous snake. It towered over the sea as tall as a ship."

Confrontation with Authority

The arrival of Inspector Captain Scott introduces external scrutiny. Bertram's defense of their lighthouse operations creates further friction:

Captain Scott [06:40]: "Very creditable job aloft. Now can I see your logbook?"

Bertram's reluctance to document Thomas's sightings underscores the conflict between maintaining appearances and confronting unsettling truths.

Desperate Communication

As the situation escalates, the keepers attempt to send a distress signal. Thomas operates the transmitter, hoping to alert nearby ships:

Thomas Watkins [09:19]: "I'll turn the transmitter on, give it time to warm up."

Despite their efforts, communication is fraught with static and incomprehensible messages, leaving higher authorities puzzled and concerned.

The Climactic Disappearance

Twelve hours later, Captain Scott and Commander Wentworth arrive, only to find Bird Rock Island unnervingly transformed. The lighthouse stands, but the living quarters are obliterated, and only Mrs. Clark survives, traumatized and fragmented by the night's events.

Narrator [11:37]: "The keeper's dwellings and the two men, Senior keeper Bertram Clark and junior keeper Thomas Watkins, had simply vanished without trace."

Aftermath and Theories

Investigations suggest natural disasters like tornadoes or waterspouts, yet inexplicable evidence—such as a mysterious black slime—fuels ongoing speculation about supernatural or unknown sea creatures. The authorities remain baffled, leaving the disappearance one of the West Indies' enduring mysteries.

Notable Quotes

• Thomas Watkins [05:47]: "It was like an enormous snake. It towered over the sea as tall as a ship."
• Bertram Clark [02:13]: "Thomas Watkins is suffering from hallucinations. That's their nice way of saying that you're going off your rocker."
• Captain Scott [06:40]: "Very creditable job aloft. Now can I see your logbook?"

Conclusion

Vanished Without Trace 19xx.xx.xx Lighthouse captivates listeners with its blend of suspenseful drama and unresolved mystery. The episode leaves audiences pondering the true nature of the events on Bird Rock Island, embodying the essence of the Golden Age of Radio's timeless allure.

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Join us again for another gripping true-life drama in the Vanished Without Trace series, where each episode uncovers the shadows of history's most perplexing disappearances.

Transcript

[Narrator]

True stories of people and places, priceless pleasures or humble keepsakes. Each with a beginning, none with an ending. The reason they vanish without space. The Bahamas. Tropical islands of the West Indies. Isles of enchantment, magic and mystery. Bird rock island, one island of a thousand. Small, remote, but inhabited by three people. Three people in a lighthouse on a September 9th in the year 1932. Mrs. Matilda Clark, wife, Bertram Clark, senior teacher of the Bird Rock light, turns to Thomas Watkins and says, Come on.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Tommy, don't let your tea get cold.

[Thomas Watkins]

I don't know, I feel like any.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

You don't want to take any notice of Bert's heavy tongue. It's all lash and no bath. You should know that by now.

[Thomas Watkins]

You don't believe me either, dear?

[Bertram Clark]

Tildy, have you seen my pipe anywhere?

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Throws off about it now, you know what Bert said.

[Thomas Watkins]

But I tell you, Tildy, I saw it with my own eyes. A sea monster, I tell you.

[Bertram Clark]

You still carrying on about that monster?

[Thomas Watkins]

Yes, I am.

[Bertram Clark]

The pipe to give you sea.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

It's here where you always leave it. And your matches.

[Bertram Clark]

See that? Like Tommy's story.

[Narrator]

You see what I mean?

[Thomas Watkins]

Now Tommy, of course you're on his side. You're his wife, Mia. How many of the junior lightkeeper around here?

[Narrator]

Who's gonna listen to me?

[Bertram Clark]

Ah, yes lad, you're right. Who is going to listen? And who'll believe your story anyway?

[Thomas Watkins]

All right, laugh all you want. Go on, laugh your silly head off. When the lighthouse inspector calls tomorrow, you won't be laughing. You won't be laughing at all.

[Bertram Clark]

Now listen to me, lad. You tell Captain Scott all you wants. But you tell him about CNC monsters. And you'll be leaving Bird Rock all right. And on his Majesty ship Pearl Bay. And you'll be leaving in his straitjacket as a junior keeper. Thomas Watkins is suffering from hallucinations. That's their nice way of saying that you're going off your rocker. You saw a long dark shape come out of the ocean, weave its long neck to the sky.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Dirt.

[Bertram Clark]

Well, out of all children, what do you think they'll do if I let a report like this go through? This is 1930-32, innit? Jobs be scarce.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Yes, dear, I suppose you're right.

[Thomas Watkins]

You do believe me? You're only scared of losing your job. And yet that thing can be roaming the sea lanes, maybe sinking fishing boats around the islands already.

[Bertram Clark]

Why not? Ocean going, Lionel?

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Well, he must have seen something, Bert, and heard it too.

[Bertram Clark]

It had a call like a blown out foghorn if I remember.

[Thomas Watkins]

Yes, there's still another night before the Inspector's ship arrives. Could be he won't find us here. Could be we'll have just disappeared.

[Bertram Clark]

Ah, could be.

[Narrator]

Senior keeper Clark goes to bed. And accustomed to years of night watch keeping, he goes to sleep quickly and soundly. But the mind of Thomas Watkins continues searching, wondering if perhaps what he's seen after all was only imagination. His thoughts drift on, and perhaps that is the reason he doesn't hear a sound the first time or the second time when Mrs. Clark is bringing him in the tea tray.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

What's that sound? Tommy? Tommy.

[Thomas Watkins]

Oh, sorry. I was thinking.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Didn't you hear it? There it is again.

[Bertram Clark]

That's it.

[Thomas Watkins]

That's the sound I heard last night.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

It could be just a ship's siren.

[Thomas Watkins]

Well, if it is, I've never heard one like it.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

If we can hear it, we should be able to see. I can't see a thing or hear anything now either.

[Thomas Watkins]

Just wait until the light comes round again. That's it. That's it. You wait, Burton. Let him hear it too.

[Narrator]

Seconds drag into minutes. And each minute the beam of the light completes one revolution. Each turn flashes for one instant across a dark, thin column swaying above the sea.

[Thomas Watkins]

There it is. See? Over to the east.

[Bertram Clark]

The light's coming around that way now. Across the east. So east. South. Don't see it then.

[Thomas Watkins]

You took so long. It wasn't there during the last two revolutions.

[Bertram Clark]

Billy said she didn't see it neither.

[Thomas Watkins]

But she heard it.

[Bertram Clark]

And what did it look like this time?

[Thomas Watkins]

It was like an enormous snake. It towered over the sea as tall as a ship. And I saw it coming out of the water maybe four miles. That could be more.

[Bertram Clark]

Well, there'd be nothing out there but the ocean. I'm going to bed.

[Thomas Watkins]

But look.

[Bertram Clark]

What?

[Thomas Watkins]

Are you going to report it to the inspector tomorrow?

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Here comes the inspector now. You've still got time to write it into the log.

[Bertram Clark]

Now you listen to me, young fellow.

[Captain Scott]

The lighthouse is in perfect order. Credit to senior keeper. That's a recommendation from London.

[Bertram Clark]

You hear that? A recommendation to London. The way I keep the light. Now, what chance would I have if I wrote an entry about a stupid sea monster?

[Thomas Watkins]

If you don't write it, then I'll tell it you do.

[Bertram Clark]

And it'll be the.

[Captain Scott]

Very creditable job aloft. Now can I see your logbook?

[Thomas Watkins]

I think Mr. Clark still has one more entry to make, sir.

[Captain Scott]

Oh, that's her part.

[Bertram Clark]

No, sir, it bait. Here's the log. All complete.

[Captain Scott]

Thank you.

[Bertram Clark]

Honor, sir, I.

[Captain Scott]

Yes, Watkins?

[Bertram Clark]

Nothing sir, he. He'd just be nervous of my ranks, sir.

[Thomas Watkins]

Oh.

[Captain Scott]

Oh, I see. Well, he'll have to get used to it for when he gets his ticket as a senior keeper next year.

[Bertram Clark]

I'm sure he will, sir. I'm sure he will.

[Captain Scott]

Very well kept, Station Clark.

[Thomas Watkins]

Excellent.

[Bertram Clark]

Thank you, sir.

[Captain Scott]

By the way, before I bought the longboat, just a small thing I was.

[Thomas Watkins]

Going to mention is the eye, sir.

[Captain Scott]

Nothing in it for you perhaps, but Kingston University reported a volcanic disturbance in the sea a few miles east of here.

[Narrator]

The lightkeeper's face clouds with concern as he watches the longboat pull away from the shore, seize the naval ship, weigh anchor, leave the sheltered inlet. And he grows thoughtful as night again comes to the lonely island.

[Bertram Clark]

What be the time, Tilly?

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

11:35.

[Bertram Clark]

Well, I'm glad Tommy's taken over. At midnight. I won't be sorry to Whitney bunk tonight.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Did you hear that? The same as last Night Bird, but closer.

[Bertram Clark]

Oh, dear, it be just the wind.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Have you ever heard a wind like that?

[Bertram Clark]

Well, it could be a ship blowing its fog over.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Why, there's no fog tonight.

[Bertram Clark]

Well, here the ship will see its lights. Could be in distress out there.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

What are you doing?

[Bertram Clark]

Go to the wind in the lookout, that's all. Yeah.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Well, can you see it?

[Bertram Clark]

I can't see a thing yet. Light swinging towards the sounds now. Should see what it is any second. Here. There is something here. Go down and wake Tommy. He's better on the wireless than I am.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

You're going to send a message. Then it's true. Johnny did see here.

[Bertram Clark]

Sounds like he'd be coming up now. Ah, yes.

[Thomas Watkins]

Well, are you satisfied now?

[Bertram Clark]

Here. Now look here, young Tom. You'll have to send a message. An urgent one, one and all. Sipping.

[Thomas Watkins]

I'll turn the transmitter on, give it time to warm up.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Listen to it out there. It sounds almost angry.

[Bertram Clark]

Whatever it is, it's only about 2 mile away and it's coming closer.

[Mrs. Matilda Clark]

Oh, B, I'm scared.

[Bertram Clark]

We'll be all right, Tildy. This lighthouse be built like a fortress.

[Thomas Watkins]

Well, the transmitter's almost ready. But what do I send out?

[Bertram Clark]

Well, I just warn them. Tell him we've seen some unidentified disturbance from the sea.

[Narrator]

The thin bead like notes stretch out across the ether, push weakly against the heavy curtain of static directed to all shipping and to the West Indies harbor's board In Kingston, the wireless room of His Majesty's ship Pearl Bay is able to pick up some of the message. Enough to give impetus to prompt action.

[Captain Scott]

Oh, she went with something wrong.

[Thomas Watkins]

I'm not sure, sir. The wireless room picked up part of the signal from the Bird Rock lighthouse.

[Captain Scott]

So let me see it. An identified. Not very clear. An identified something. Disturbance approaching lighthouse. Request more unintelligible words.

[Thomas Watkins]

Aesthetic was very bad, sir. Seems to be some electrical disturbance in the area.

[Captain Scott]

Seems they want us to return. 12 hours to get there. Ask the navigation officer to give me a new course. Shortest route to Bedrock Island.

[Narrator]

And 12 hours later, Captain Scott is again standing on the beach he had left less than 24 hours before the beach of Bird Rock island, but an island whose shape and size has changed overnight.

[Thomas Watkins]

What do you make of it, sir?

[Captain Scott]

I don't know what to make of it, Wentworth. Must have been a storm if you saw no signs of storms on any of the other islands around here.

[Thomas Watkins]

What do you think of the wireless rooms theory, sir? That one of the words could have referred to his sea monster from that volcanic disturbance.

[Captain Scott]

Of course. Now take a look at the island he just pushed. All out of shape at this end.

[Thomas Watkins]

Well, we soon know, sir, when we hear what the lighthouse keeper has to say.

[Captain Scott]

Yes, he hasn't come out to meet us after the message last night.

[Thomas Watkins]

Look at the living quarters, sir. That could be the reason.

[Captain Scott]

What do you mean? Wetland.

[Thomas Watkins]

Hey, over there, sir. The living quarters seem to have what left of them is squashed flat as an old hat.

[Narrator]

Only one person survived that fatal night of 1932. Mrs. Clark, wife of the senior keeper, was found by the two naval men found inside the shelter of the lighthouse itself. Mrs. Clark was in a state of nervous shock and capable of uttering only two words sea monster. And when she eventually recovered, one portion of her memory was a blank. She could recall nothing of whatever terrible thing took place on the island that fateful night. The naval theory is that a tornado or water spout swept across the island of the surrounding sea. But the authorities are unable to account for a black slime which Commander Wentworth found in the rocks surrounding the base of the light. A fluid not unlike that expelled by the giant squid when enraged. Opinion is still divided on the mystery of the wrecked lighthouse. But one point is poignantly clear. The keeper's dwellings and the two men, Senior keeper Bertram Clark and junior keeper Thomas Watkins, had simply vanished without trace. Be listening again for another true life drama in this fascinating series, Vanished without Trace.