Conservation team helps uncover message in a bottle

July 2025

The TMAG conservation team worked with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to extract a 122-year-old message in a bottle that was discovered hidden in the lantern room wall cavity of Cape Bruny Lighthouse.

After identifying that the bottle was sealed with a cork dipped in bitumen, the team carefully considered the best method to preserve both the bottle and its contents.  Conservator of Objects, Irene Finkelde and Michelle Berry carefully cut through the bitumen layer and cork, successfully detaching it from the glass.

With the cork removed and the bottle open, TMAG Conservator of Paper, Cobus Van Breda had the challenge of extracting the message.  While the paper appeared to be in good condition, there was still risk of damage to the message while navigating it through the neck of the bottle.  The contents were successfully removed and revealed to be an envelope with a two-page letter inside.  The letter then underwent a humidification process to gently relax and rehydrate the paper fibres to flatten the paper.

The letter inside the bottle was dated 29 January 1903, written by J.R.Meech, then Inspector of Lighthouses for the Hobart Marine Board.  It provides a direct link to Tasmania’s maritime past and adds another chapter to the rich history of one of Australia’s oldest lighthouses.

TMAG was thrilled to be involved in this remarkable find and help preserve this piece of history.

You can read more about this historic find on the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife website