A 40-year-old message in a bottle from a British supply ship, complete with a vintage two-dollar bill featuring Queen Elizabeth II, has surfaced on Canada’s remote Sable Island, offering a rare glimpse into maritime history preserved by an unlikely source: gin.
Key Takeaways
- A message in a bottle dated January 14, 1983, was discovered on Sable Island, approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- Mark Doucette, an archaeology technician from Potlotek First Nation, found the Gordon’s gin bottle sealed with electrical tape that had been adrift for 42 years.
- The bottle contained a letter from crew members of the British supply ship Wimpey Sea Hunter and a 1974 two-dollar bill featuring a young Queen Elizabeth II.
- The residual gin in the bottle partially preserved the message while dissolving some ink, making the letter more legible as it dried.
- Parks Canada has sent the historical artifact to their archives for further study and preservation.
Historic Maritime Discovery on Canada’s Remote Island
On May 23, the Sable Island National Park Reserve announced via Facebook the remarkable discovery of a message in a bottle from 1983. Found by Mark Doucette, an archaeology technician from Potlotek First Nation, this time capsule from the sea has provided researchers with a fascinating glimpse into maritime life from four decades ago. The bottle, identified as Gordon’s gin and sealed with electrical tape, had been remarkably well-preserved despite spending 42 years adrift in the Atlantic Ocean before washing ashore on the remote Canadian island.
“The message is very faded, but we could make out that the bottle was sent to sea Jan. 14, 1983, from a resupply ship operating near Sable Island,” stated Sable Island National Park Reserve
The north side of Sable Island, where Doucette made his discovery, is known to act as a natural catchment area for ocean debris. The island’s unique location, approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Halifax, makes it a prime spot for collecting items that have traveled great distances across the Atlantic. Park officials note that messages in bottles typically wash up on the island about once a year, but rarely with contents as well-preserved and historically significant as this recent find.
The Bottle’s Contents: Preserved by an Unexpected Source
When park staff first examined the bottle, they were met with an unexpected but welcome surprise. The bottle’s original contents had played a crucial role in preserving its historical message. The residual gin had both helped preserve the paper while simultaneously dissolving some of the ink, creating an interesting preservation challenge. As the letter dried, impressions from the pen became more visible, allowing researchers to piece together its origin and message.
“Well, first off, you could still smell the gin!” said Jennifer Nicholson
The bottle contained not only a letter but also a 1974 two-dollar bill featuring a young Queen Elizabeth II. This currency was replaced by a coin in 1996, making it an unfamiliar sight to many younger park staff. The note congratulated the finder on receiving the $2 bill, adding a personal touch to this historical artifact. The contents provide a tangible connection to both Canadian currency history and the reign of Queen Elizabeth II during her younger years on the throne.
Tracing the Wimpey Sea Hunter and Its Crew
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this discovery is the effort to trace the origin of the bottle back to its source. After careful examination, researchers were able to identify the vessel as the Wimpey Sea Hunter, a British supply ship built in 1982. The bottle was likely tossed overboard while the ship was servicing offshore oil and gas platforms near Sable Island. The timing of the message, just a year after the ship was built, offers a glimpse into offshore operations in the early 1980s.
“It was a little hard to make out the ship’s name at first. You could tell it ended with ‘Sea Hunter,” said Jennifer Nicholson
“We’re from the crew of the Wimpy Seahunter supply ship,” said Sarah Medill
The letter included crew names, though park officials have not yet been able to track down any of these individuals. The quest continues to locate these sailors, who would now be in their 60s or 70s, to complete this remarkable story. Park officials are hopeful that with public attention, some of the crew members might come forward to share their memories of that day in January 1983 when they cast their message into the Atlantic waters.
Preserving Maritime History for Future Generations
The bottle has now been sent to Parks Canada archives for proper preservation and further study. This discovery adds to the rich collection of message-in-a-bottle artifacts that have been found along Canadian coastlines. While this bottle from 1983 is certainly notable, park officials report that colleagues have found messages dating back to the 1930s, showcasing a long-standing maritime tradition. Each discovery offers a unique snapshot of the past and connects modern researchers with maritime history.
Sable Island continues to serve as an important archaeological site, with various items from around the world washing up on its shores. From appliances to foreign-labeled products, the island collects traces of human activity from across the Atlantic. This latest discovery highlights the importance of preserving these artifacts as they provide valuable insights into both maritime history and the environmental patterns of ocean currents. For those fascinated by the mysteries of the sea, this 40-year journey of a gin bottle serves as a compelling reminder of the ocean’s power to connect past and present.
