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Fang Rock Lighthouse was a lighthouse on the small island of Fang Rock. (PROSE: The Secret Lives of Monsters) It kept boats safe from the sharp, tooth-like rocks in the waters surrounding the island. (TV: Horror of Fang Rock)
In the 1900s, (TV: Horror of Fang Rock) the lighthouse became the site of an unexplained event. At least one source reported that the dead bodies of the lighthouse crew were found, (PROSE: The Secret Lives of Monsters) while another stated that the crew had disappeared without a trace. In any event, the mystery of Fang Rock Lighthouse became almost as notorious as that of the Mary Celeste. (PROSE: A History of Humankind)
The lighthouse was commissioned in 1821, causing a decrease in the number of shipwrecks to the point that they became a rarity. With the advent of electrical power, it was thought that the waters around Fang Rock would become even safer. (PROSE: The Secret Lives of Monsters)
In the 1900s, Reuben Whormby, Ben Travers and Vince Hawkins were the keepers of the lighthouse. One night, Hawkins saw a "fireball" - in actuality, a Rutan ship - fall from the sky.
According to one account, the Fourth Doctor and Leela visited after accidentally landing on Fang Rock while trying to get to Brighton. Travers was killed by a Rutan scout. A fog covered the island and the lighthouse stopped working. In the perilous seas, a steam yacht crashed against Fang Rock, stranding Henry Palmerdale, Adelaide Lessage, James Skinsale and Harker on the island. They were conducted to the crew room and given sustenance.
The Rutan killed Reuben, Harker, Hawkins, Palmerdale, Lessage and, finally, Skinsale. The Doctor was able to construct a makeshift mortar device which he placed in the lamp gallery. Leela used it to kill the Rutan and, per her suggestion, the Doctor fitted the lighthouse with a carbon oscillator which destroyed the Rutan mothership. (TV: Horror of Fang Rock)
According to another account, the mysterious UNIT employee and time traveller known as "Cosmic Hobo" was involved in these events. (PROSE: Beast of Fang Rock)
After the fog had dispersed, several vessels reported that Fang Rock Lighthouse was unlit and the coastguard was dispatched, along with the local constabulary. Investigating officers found a scene of extensive damage to the exterior of the lighthouse, along with several dead bodies. More corpses were uncovered from the wreck of the steam yacht. The lighthouse telegraph system was found to have been deliberately disabled beyond repair and a number of diamonds were found scattered down the lamp room stairs. A newspaper reported on the investigation. (PROSE: The Secret Lives of Monsters)
Many chose to explain the mystery of Fang Rock as the work of the Beast of Fang Rock. (PROSE: A History of Humankind)