Oldest message in a bottle found

Aug 21, 2015 - 07:58
Aug 21, 2015 - 08:00
 0  1
Oldest message in a bottle found
Marine Biological Association Marine Biological Association

In 1906 British researcher George Bidder launched hundreds of bottles into the North Sea.

More than a century later, Marianne Winkler found one of them as she walked along the beach in Germany. One glance at the bottle brought several questions to Winkler’s mind. "Where does it come from, who wrote it, and how long has it been traveling on the winds, waves and currents," she asked?

The Telegraph writes the bottles were "specially designed to float just above the sea floor," and were "Used to prove, among other things, that the deep-sea current in the North Sea flowed east to west."

Bidder successfully did that, and had no idea he would also create an adventure for Winkler and her husband over a century later.

Inside the bottle was a request to send the contents to the Marine Biological Association in retu for a shilling. That’s exactly what happened. "We found an old shilling. I think we got it on eBay," MBA communications director Guy Baker told German newspaper Amrum. "We sent it to her with a letter saying ‘Thank you’."

More here.  

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.