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A 132-year-old bottle has been found inside the walls of a Scottish lighthouse, containing a message that reveals secrets and stories from the region's maritime past.
In the southwest of Scotland, an intriguing discovery at Corsewall Lighthouse has captured everyone's imagination. Engineers carrying out repairs to the History structure stumbled upon a bottle hidden in a cavity in the wall. Inside, a message written in 1892 revealed details about a lighthouse lens renovation project.
This lens, installed over 130 years ago, is still in use. The discovery brought an unusual connection between generations of workers dedicated to keeping shipping safe in the dangerous waters of the Irish Sea.
John Harris/Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel
A message from the past in the lighthouse
Written in ink and carefully in cursive, the note documented the names of the engineers and workers responsible for installing a new lantern at the lighthouse. They detailed the project, which lasted from May to September 1892, and mentioned that the light was relit on a Thursday night, September 15th.
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The bottle, sealed with a cork and wrapped in wire, was carefully hidden. Decades later, its contents resurface, offering a glimpse into the past for the current team. Check out the note found translated into Portuguese below.
Here is the full text of the note:
Corsewall Light and Fog Signal Station, 4 September 1892.
This lantern was erected by James Wells, John Westwood Millwright, James Brodie, and David Scott, of James Milne & Son Engineers, Milton House Works, Edinburgh, during the months of May to September, and re-lit on the evening of Thursday 15th September 1892.
The following caretakers were at the station at that time: John Wilson, warden, John B Henderson, first assistant, John Lockhart, second assistant.
The lens and machine being supplied by James Dove & Co. Engineers Greenside Edinburgh and erected by William Burness, John Harrower, James Dods. Engineers of the above firm.
A Jewel of Scottish Sailing
Corsewall Lighthouse, established in 1817, stands 34 feet tall on a secluded peninsula. For centuries, its light has guided ships along the treacherous rocky coastline. Until 1994, keepers lived on site, operating the structure manually. Today, the lighthouse is monitored remotely from Edinburgh by the Northern Lighthouse Board.
In addition to its vital function, the lighthouse is also a historic and tourist attraction. The former keepers’ quarters have been converted into a hotel and restaurant. Visitors can choose between rooms in the original building or modern accommodations on the 20-acre grounds. The property offers stunning views and is home to wildlife including deer, seals, porpoises and even a sea otter.
“It’s a hidden gem,” said John Harris, the hotel’s co-owner, in a 2021 interview, highlighting the unique rock formations and rich biodiversity surrounding the site.
The lens that stands the test of time
The lens, mentioned in the 1892 message, is still in perfect working order, emitting a flash of white light every 30 seconds. For Euan Murray, whose family has historical ties to the lighthouse, the discovery reinforces the importance of the work done by the engineers of that era. “Even in the age of satellite navigation, what they did is still completely relevant today,” Murray noted.
The future of messaging
The bottle and historic note are currently preserved in the offices of the Northern Lighthouse Board. However, once the lighthouse renovations are complete, engineers plan to return it to its original hiding place. A new bottle will be placed next to it, containing a message from the current staff.
“Perhaps, at some point in the future, we will be able to communicate with another person,” reflects Barry Miller, reinforcing the timeless connection between generations.
