Discovered in a Tasmanian Lighthouse: A 122-Year-Old Bottle Message Penned by a Mysterious Artist
A Century-Old Letter Reveals Secrets of Cape Bruny Lighthouse
A remarkable discovery has shed new light on one of Australia's oldest lighthouses, Cape Bruny Lighthouse in Tasmania. During a renovation project, a sealed glass bottle was found inside a wall cavity of the lighthouse. Inside the bottle, a fragile envelope contained two pages folded tightly, revealing a letter dated January 29, 1903 [1][2][3].
The author of the letter was JR Meech, the inspector of lighthouses for the Hobart Marine Board at the turn of the 20th century. Meech, who also supervised the construction and maintenance of several other lighthouses in Tasmania, including Cape Sorell, Maatsuyker Island, Tasman Island, Table Cape, and Mersey Bluff, penned a detailed account of the 1903 upgrades made to Cape Bruny Lighthouse. The letter documented the installation of a new staircase, floor, lantern room, and lens system [3].
The letter's excellent condition after over a century is attributed to the airtight seal of the bottle, protecting it from harsh coastal weather. Senior paper conservator Cobus van Breda described the removal of the cork as a meticulous process, as it was sealed with bitumen. The letter itself, once removed from the bottle, was folded in a way that made extraction difficult due to its fragile nature. It took several days to fully decipher the words in the letter [1][2].
Annita Waghorn, historic heritage manager for Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service, was surprised by the discovery. She views the find as a bridge between the past and present caretakers of Tasmania's maritime heritage. The letter offers a rare and detailed historical snapshot of lighthouse construction and operations over a century ago, contributing to the historical heritage of Tasmania and Australia's maritime infrastructure [1][3].
The letter provides direct insight into the significant structural and technological upgrades at the start of the 20th century. It outlines the cost of these works, the new flash sequence of the lighthouse light, and lists the names of people involved in the project, effectively preserving a moment in time from over 120 years ago. The letter includes information about the cost, new flash sequence of the light, and the names of those involved in the work at Cape Bruny Lighthouse in 1903 [1][2][3].
The discovery was made by specialist painters during the renovation project. Annita Waghorn and her team are now planning for the letter's preservation and public display, but its exact location is yet to be decided. The letter's significance lies in its detailed historical record of the 1903 upgrades made to the lighthouse, making it an invaluable historical artifact for researchers and the public [1][3].
[1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-16/cape-bruny-lighthouse-letter-unveils-1903-upgrades/101092548 [2] https://www.themercury.com.au/story/7145356/letter-found-in-cape-bruny-lighthouse-offers-rare-glimpse-into-the-past/ [3] https://www.smh.com.au/national/tasmania/century-old-letter-reveals-secrets-of-cape-bruny-lighthouse-20220516-p5aq5b.html
- The science of historical preservation might benefit from the study of the airtight sealing methods used in the glass bottle found within Cape Bruny Lighthouse, providing insights for the protection of similar artifacts.
- The discovery of the letter details more than just the 1903 upgrades at Cape Bruny Lighthouse; it also offers a precious glimpse into the lifestyle, home-and-garden layout, and even potential health practices of the era, as the letter mentions personnel names and associated costs.
- Researchers can delve into the evolution of science and technology by examining the installation of the new lens system mentioned in the letter, as well as explore the wildlife and environmental considerations of the time, considering the remote location of the lighthouse.
