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BOTTLE
Unique ID: MAS-D100063
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Five olive green case gin bottles with a square tapered body and four dots on base.
Some of the earliest spirit bottles were square in cross section and generally designed to contain gin, though undoubtedly contained various types of alcohol and possibly wine. Commonly called "case gin" or "taper gin" bottles since they would pack more efficiently to a case (six to 24 bottles) than round bottles. Case gin bottles are square with a more or less distinct taper inwards from the shoulder to the base. The neck is very short to almost non-existent with the finishes varying from a laid-on ring, flared, mineral finish, oil, and even a blob. This shape and style of bottle originated, and was commonly made, in Europe at least as early as the mid-17th century (https://sha.org/bottle/liquor.htm#CaseGinbottles accessed October 2017). These examples do not exhibit the bevelled corners generally seen on bottles of the 1860s or later and may therefore be earlier 19th century.
Notes:
These items were found with two clay pipes​ (MAS-D100079) and two perfume bottles (MAS-D100080).
All of these items were recovered from the wreck ​Loanda. Built in 1891 at Barrow-in-Furness (Cumbria) by the Naval Construction and Armaments Co., Loanda was a two-masted screw-driven steamer owned by the British and African Steam Navigation Co. On 31 May 1908, following a collision with SS Junona, Loanda foundered while under tow 1 mile east of St Margaret's at Cliffe, Kent. At the time of loss, the vessel was bound from Hamburg, Germany, to West Africa with a general cargo. This cargo, which has seen significant recovery by divers, included: clay pipes; bottles of wine and gin; glass beads; perfume bottles; pencils, writing slates and inkpots; lamps; and teacups, lids, dishes, pots, saucers, plates, jugs and eggcups. NRHE and Kent HER reference numbers cited in this record refer to the wreck of Loanda.
NRHE and Kent HER reference numbers cited in this record refer to the wreck of Loanda.
Class:
CONTAINER
Sub class: FOOD AND LIQUID STORAGE CONTAINER
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: With finder
Subsequent action after recording: Submitted as wreck to the Receiver of Wreck
Wreck details
Droit number: 185/17
Chronology
Broad period: NINETEENTH CENTURY
Period from: NINETEENTH CENTURY
Period to: NINETEENTH CENTURY
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 5
Length: 250 mm
Width: 70 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 12th July 2017
Personal details
Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: L R
Identified by: L M
Secondary identifier: V L
Other reference numbers
NRHE monument number: 901835
Other reference: Kent HER Number: TR 34 SE 108
Droit ID: 185/17
Materials and construction
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TR3844
Four figure Latitude: 51.1457526
Four figure longitude: 1.4013985
1:25K map: TR3844
1:10K map: TR34SE
Display four figure position on What3Words
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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