Local NewsHistoric message in a bottle found on New Jersey beach

Historic message in a bottle found on New Jersey beach

Amy Smyth Murphy made a surprising discovery on the beach at Corson's Inlet State Park. The New Jersey resident noticed an original turquoise bottle that may contain the oldest known message in a bottle ever found.

Amy Smyth Murphy discovered a glass bottle while walking on the beach in Ocean City.
Amy Smyth Murphy discovered a glass bottle while walking on the beach in Ocean City.
Images source: © nj | Eric Conklin

7:43 PM EDT, August 11, 2024

According to ABC7 New York, the mysterious find was discovered during a beach walk at Corson's Inlet State Park. Amy Smyth Murphy noticed a turquoise bottle protruding from the sand.

The find may be more valuable than it seems. Amy Smyth Murphy discovered a mysterious note in the bottle, which may be the oldest known message of its kind.

Mysterious discovery

Amy Smyth Murphy posted a TikTok video of her uncorking the bottle. Inside was a handwritten note and likely a WG & J. Klemm furniture company business card. The note reads, "Yacht Neptune off Atlantic City NJ Aug 6-76."

With this information, she searched the archives of The Philadelphia Inquirer and discovered that a company run by brothers WG and J. Klemm existed in the late 19th century. Her research also revealed mentions of a yacht named "Neptune," built in 1874 by Captain Samuel Gale of Atlantic City.

Oldest found message in a bottle?

All these clues led her to conclude that the date Aug 6-76 refers to August 6, 1876. If true, it would be the oldest message in a bottle ever found, beating the previous record from Australia by 10 years (that message was dated 1886). According to NJ True Jersey, this scenario could be confirmed because the Klemm company likely dissolved in 1881.

Inside the bottle, three documents were found, including a handwritten note related to a yacht from Atlantic City.
Inside the bottle, three documents were found, including a handwritten note related to a yacht from Atlantic City.© nj | Eric Conklin

However, the find must be verified. Smyth Murphy has submitted a request for confirmation to the Guinness Book of World Records, and the verification process may take several months.

Who wrote the note?

Determining the author of the note may be the most challenging part of the mystery. According to Smyth Murphy's research, Captain Gale often took passengers on cruises on his yacht Neptune around the Atlantic City Inlet. The author could be any of the passengers or even the captain himself.

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