Oldest Bottle Message Discovered in NJ
- A message in a bottle was found on the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey, which might be the oldest ever discovered.
- The bottle's discovery is sparking interest and excitement among local historians and beachgoers.
- Further verification is required to confirm its age and historical significance.
Amy Smyth Murphy, 49, made a remarkable find while walking in Corson’s Inlet State Park over the July Fourth weekend. She stumbled upon an old green corked bottle containing what appeared to be a business card from 1876 and a handwritten note. Expressing her fascination, Smyth Murphy stated, “It’s just so interesting to be connected to people in this way.” She has since applied to Guinness World Records to have her discovery officially recognized. Inside the bottle, one document seemed to be a business card for “W.G.,” while another referenced a local yacht named “Neptune,” which was docked in Atlantic City in the late 1800s under the command of Captain Samuel Gale. Smyth Murphy’s research suggests that Gale may have resided in Atlantic City during that period, adding to the intrigue of her find. “I really like the mystery. I love the research,” she remarked. Experts believe that a recent multimillion-dollar beach fill in the Ocean City area may have dislodged the bottle from the ocean floor. Steve Nagiewicz, a maritime history professor at Stockton University, explained that dredging can stir up historical artifacts, allowing them to float to the surface. Smyth Murphy has documented her family’s efforts to carefully extract the fragile papers from the bottle on TikTok, sharing the experience with her loved ones. Her brother, John Smyth, noted that the journey of uncovering the bottle's history has been a rewarding family adventure. As they await a response from Guinness, the family continues to enjoy the thrill of discovery.