bbc.com
132-Year-Old Message Found in Lighthouse
A 132-year-old letter found inside a bottle in the wall of Corsewall Lighthouse in Scotland reveals details about the lighthouse's past and the people who worked there.
Swahili
United Kingdom
LifestyleHistoryScotlandDiscoveryLetterLighthouse
Northern Lighthouse BoardJames Milne & Son EngineersJames Dove &Co Engineers
Ross RussellBarry MillerJames WellsJohn WestwoodJohn Wilson
- How was the bottle containing the letter discovered?
- The 8-inch (20cm) bottle was discovered by Ross Russell, a mechanical engineer, during a routine inspection. It was lodged within a wall compartment, and required careful extraction and opening by the team.
- What was the overall significance of this discovery?
- Ross Russell, who found the bottle along with colleagues, called the discovery "amazing" and a "once in a lifetime" event. The letter provided a unique glimpse into the lighthouse's history and the lives of those who worked there.
- What information did the 132-year-old letter contain?
- The letter, dated September 4, 1892, lists the engineers and keepers who worked on the installation of a new light in the Corsewall Lighthouse. It also details the companies involved in the project and the equipment used.
- What challenges did the team face in opening the bottle?
- The bottle's unusual, flattened base and corroded wire stopper presented challenges in opening it. The team carefully cut the stopper to access the contents without damaging the letter.
- How did the lighthouse keeper react to opening the bottle?
- Barry Miller, the 77-year-old lighthouse keeper, described the experience of opening the bottle as thrilling and emotional, a connection to the lighthouse's past and its previous keepers.