Message in a bottle puzzle

WHEN Sam Salvatore stopped to pick up litter on his daily beach walk, he had no idea he was the recipient of a message that may be a 100 years old.

The local artist and beachcomber found the glass bottle, with cork and message intact, while walking along a secluded beach on Tasmania’s South Arm Peninsula.

“I picked it up because I thought it was litter and I didn’t want the local fishermen to cut themselves on the glass,” he said.

“I saw something was inside so I tipped it upside down but nothing would come out.”

On closer inspection, he realised the glass was well worn and a shrivelled cork was securing the bottle.

“I saw something inside it but I didn’t open it,” he said.

Experts estimate the bottle to be between 30 and 100 years old, judging by its mould markings and wear.

Mr Salvatore, from South Arm, found the bottle at Speaks Bay last month.

“I was looking for driftwood, which I use to make art with, and the bottle was well above the high water mark. It must have come in on a king tide,” he said.

He took it to the Maritime Museum of Tasmania, where it will be on display for two weeks from Monday.

After that a conservation specialist will delicately open the bottle, and the honour of reading the message will go to Mr Salvatore.

The museum’s assistant curator Annalise Rees said the bottle was a rare find.

“Once the message is carefully taken out it may need time to dry,” she said.

The reveal is expected to happen November 21 at the Maritime Museum.

The bottle will be on display with marine-inspired art works by Mr Salvatore, Kaj Totoro and award-winning photographer Suellen Cook.