Message in a bottle from 1891 found during the renovation of Leeuwarden station

Message in a bottle was found during renovation work at the station building in Leeuwarden. The bottle, containing four notes, dates from 1891, according to experts.

The notes contain little more than the names of four men: Arnoldus ten Hulscher, Lieuwe Brameijer, Rudolf Affolter and J. Postema. Their profession is also mentioned: three of them were postmen, one conductor. More information is missing.

The bottle was wrapped in paper and walled up between the beams of the shelters, built in 1891.

According to ProRail archaeologist Jerry Huisman, Arnoldus ten Hulscher’s name definitely answered the question of when the mail was placed in the bottle. “He worked as a government postman in Leeuwarden,” says Huisman Omrop Fryslan.

“On that note it says November 25, 1891. Arnoldus’ signature on the note is the same as he signed on a marriage certificate dated May 18, 1881. So there’s no question that this is indeed a November message in a bottle.” 25, 1891.”

The bottle was also carefully examined by the archaeologist and dates back to that era. “It was made between 1825 and 1900.”

Huisman is intrigued by the notes and their history. “They were put in a bottle, sealed and walled up. We still don’t know why they did it. If the bottle hadn’t been found in such an obscure place, you’d think someone just brought an empty bottle and threw it away somewhere, but that’s not the case.”

It must have been a deliberate action, Huisman thinks. “But what was the reason this bottle was left there? Why these four men? It’s kind of a historical Cluedo. I think it’s nice to see that more than 130 years later we think back to Arnoldus ten Hulscher, Lieuwe Brameijer, Rudolf Affolter and J. Postema. Would this have been their intention?”