Episode 1: “The Last Lighthouse of Bellmoor”
Radio Faraway — Stories from the North Atlantic Commonwealth of the Faraways
At the edge of the Faraways’ northernmost island stands a lighthouse that has guided ships through some of the most dangerous waters in the North Atlantic for nearly 150 years. In this first episode of Radio Faraway, we travel to the windswept cliffs of Bellmoor Island to explore the story of Keeper Elias Vane, the last lighthouse keeper to live alone at Greywatch Point.
Built in 1874, the Greywatch Lighthouse was once considered the technological marvel of the Commonwealth. But as the rest of the world moved toward automated navigation systems and satellite beacons, the Faraways chose a different path. The lighthouse remained manned, the old brass instruments remained in service, and generations of keepers continued the quiet tradition of watching the sea.
In this episode, we examine the disappearance of Keeper Vane during the winter storms of 1986, the decades-old logbooks discovered in the lighthouse archive, and the unanswered question that still circulates among the islanders: what did the keeper hear on the final night before the light went dark?
Featuring archival recordings from the Faraways Maritime Collection, interviews with residents of Bellmoor, and selections from the personal journals of Elias Vane.
Radio Faraway is the official audio service of the North Atlantic Commonwealth of the Faraways. Broadcasting from Bellmoor since 1934.
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