In a remarkable turn of history, a story has resurfaced surrounding three Scottish workers who concealed a message inside a lighthouse over a century ago. Researchers and genealogists have worked diligently to unveil the identities and stories of these men, who lived during the age of Queen Victoria and contributed to a significant technological advancement in lighthouse construction. The hidden note, discovered within a bottle at Corsewall Lighthouse, offers a fascinating insight into both the lives of these individuals and the era they lived in.
The bottle was found by Ross Russell, a mechanical engineer with the Northern Lighthouse Board, during an inspection of the Corsewall Lighthouse. This lighthouse, standing tall at the northern tip of the Rhins of Galloway, plays an important role in guiding ships navigating the turbulent waters of the North Channel. Inside the bottle was a handwritten letter dated September 4th, 1892, which documented the installation of a new lighting system for the lighthouse. The letter bore the names of three key workers associated with the project: John Westwood, James Brodie, and David Scott, all employed by the renowned engineering firm James Milne & Son, based in Edinburgh.
John Westwood was primarily recognized as a 28-year-old millwright from Edinburgh at the time of the installation. He hailed from a family with a rich tradition of millwrighting, as his father, David Westwood, was also a skilled tradesman. John, born in 1864 in St Andrews, had siblings involved in similar vocations. By the time he joined the project at Corsewall, he had established himself as a capable millwright, moving to Edinburgh to work as a lodger with a well-respected piano maker. His personal life flourished as he married Margaret Gow in 1896 and went on to have three children.
In contrast, the other notable figure, James Brodie, was significantly older at the age of 48 when he helped to affix the message in the lighthouse. Born in 1844 in Renfrewshire, James was the eldest child in his family and began his journey as an apprentice engineer. He married Annie F. Scott in 1868 and, by the time the letter was penned, they had seven children living in Paisley. His contributions played a crucial role in the installation and maintenance of the lighting system at Corsewall.
The youngest amongst the trio, David Scott, was just 32 years old at the time. Born in 1860 and brought up in a working-class family in Edinburgh, he worked as a laborer for James Milne & Son. His family background influenced his training and professional advancements through the years. When he wrote the note, he was living with his mother and sister in a modest household. Seven years later, by 1901, he was still single and living with a boarding family while continuing to hone his skills in trades, which reflected the industrious spirit of his times.
The firm James Milne & Son, founded in the 18th century, specialized in metals and engineering components, showing a legacy of contributing to significant projects, including historical landmarks like Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House. By the late 1800s, they had evolved to produce lamps for lighthouses, made especially for enhancing navigational safety in busy maritime routes.
As Ross Russell delved deeper into the story of these men, he expressed astonishment at the ability to connect through time to these individuals, revealing layers of history that may have otherwise been lost. Genealogists, like Jen Baldwin from Findmypast, outlined how this discovery highlights the significance of recounting people’s histories—suggesting that these workers were part of a technological revolution that played a critical role in maritime navigation and safety.
Historians view such careful restoration of histories as crucial, enriching our understanding of the past. The intrigue surrounding the hidden message raises questions about the motives behind leaving such a note behind and speaks volumes about the human desire to connect across generations—responding to the curiosity of those who may find it far into the future. The tale of the Corsewall Lighthouse offers a reflective glimpse into a historical moment, inviting further exploration of lives intertwined with innovation and courage in the face of frontier engineering.
