A Historic Discovery: Message in a Bottle Found in Scotland’s Corsewall Lighthouse After 132 Years

In a remarkable find, engineers have uncovered a 132-year-old message in a bottle hidden within the walls of Corsewall Lighthouse, located in the southern region of Scotland. This discovery, which took place during a routine inspection, marks the first-ever discovery of a message in a bottle in a Scottish lighthouse. The bottle, found at the most northern point of the Rhins of Galloway, contained a handwritten note dating back to September 4, 1892. The note provides a glimpse into the history of the lighthouse and its keepers, offering a tangible connection between the past and present.

The message, written with quill and ink, was carefully placed in a bottle by a team of engineers who had worked on installing a new type of lantern at the lighthouse. The note lists the names of the engineers involved in the project as well as the lighthouse keepers at the time. It reads:

“Corsewall Light & Fog Signal Station, Sept 4th 1892. This lantern was erected by James Wells Engineer, John Westwood Millwright, James Brodie Engineer, David Scott Labourer, of the firm of James Milne & Son Engineers, Milton House Works, Edinburgh, during the months from May to September and relighted on Thursday night 15th Sept 1892.”

The letter also mentions the keepers at the time:

“The following being keepers at the station at this time, John Wilson Principal, John B Henderson 1st assistant, John Lockhart 2nd assistant.”

This discovery sheds light on the role of these individuals, whose efforts contributed to the lighthouse’s ongoing function.

The bottle was discovered by Ross Russell, a mechanical engineer with the Northern Lighthouse Board, during an inspection of the lighthouse. While inspecting the lighthouse’s structure, Russell removed panels from a cupboard to check the bearing of the lens mechanism. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the bottle wedged deep within the wall a hidden relic from a bygone era.

To retrieve the bottle, Russell and his team had to improvise. The bottle had a convex base, which made it impossible to stand upright, and it had been sealed with a cork that had expanded and stuck to the glass over time. The rusted wire that held the cork in place had long since disintegrated. To access the note, the team used a combination of tools, including a rope and broom handle to extract the bottle and carefully drill out the cork.

As the bottle was removed from its resting place, the team waited for the lighthouse keeper, Barry Miller, to arrive before opening it. Miller, who had worked at the lighthouse for several years, recalled the excitement and anticipation he felt as he prepared to open the bottle, saying, “My hands were shaking when I opened it.”

For Miller, the discovery was more than just a fascinating historical artifact. He felt a deep sense of connection to the engineers and lighthouse keepers of the past. As he examined the handwriting and read the note, he felt as though he were meeting the individuals who had written it. “It was like meeting our colleagues from the past. It was like them being part of our team instead of just four of us being there. We were all there sharing what they had written,” Miller said, clearly moved by the moment.

The discovery of this note also holds significance for the modern-day lighthouse team, as it serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of these structures. Despite technological advances such as satellite navigation, lighthouses continue to play a crucial role in ensuring safe passage for vessels at sea. For engineers like Russell, who had traveled to the 209-year-old lighthouse for an extensive project, the find was particularly poignant. It was an unexpected yet fitting discovery, as the engineers were working to inspect and maintain the equipment described in the note.

Russell reflected on the significance of the find, stating, “It was just sensational, I was just in utter amazement. Being the first person to touch the bottle after 132 years was just mind-blowing.” It was a once in a lifetime discovery that he and his colleagues will likely never forget.

After the bottle and note were retrieved, the engineers carefully stored them for safekeeping. Currently, the bottle and the historical note are being preserved at the Northern Lighthouse Board’s headquarters in Edinburgh. However, the team plans to return the note and bottle to their original location at Corsewall Lighthouse, adding their own message to the bottle, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same sense of connection to the past.

This discovery has also captured the attention of the descendants of those involved in the original project. Euan Murray, the great-great-great-grandson of Robert Murray, one of the lighthouse keepers mentioned in the note, expressed his amazement at finding a piece of family history in this unexpected way. “It’s amazing to think that the work they did back then is still completely relevant today, even in the age of satellite navigation,” said Murray, who works as a chief engineer in the Royal Navy.

For Murray, who had passed by the lighthouse countless times during his naval career, the discovery holds personal significance. “Ships are still using these lighthouses for safe navigation on a daily basis. It’s always a nice sign of home when I see it from the sea,” he remarked.

The message in the bottle is a rare glimpse into a pivotal moment in the history of Corsewall Lighthouse and its role in maritime navigation. The engineers and lighthouse keepers of the past left a legacy that continues to be appreciated today, as the lighthouse still serves as a vital navigation aid for ships traveling along Scotland’s rugged coastline. The discovery has also sparked interest in preserving the history of lighthouses and the individuals who have worked tirelessly to maintain them over the centuries.

the find of the 132-year-old message in the bottle serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of historical preservation and the connections that link past and present. It is a rare and significant discovery that has brought together engineers, historians, and families, all of whom are united by a shared appreciation for the enduring legacy of the lighthouse keepers and their work.

(source: BBC Scotland News)