200-year-old booze found in shipwreck -- and it's still drinkable

CBSNews.com ^ | 8/15/14 | Agata Blaszczak-Boxe/

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

A 200-year-old stoneware seltzer bottle that was recently recovered from a shipwreck at the bottom of the Baltic Sea contains alcohol, according to the results of a preliminary analysis.

Researchers discovered the well-preserved and sealed bottle in June, while exploring the so-called F53.31 shipwreck in Gdańsk Bay, close to the Polish coast. Preliminary laboratory tests have now shown the bottle contains a 14-percent alcohol distillate, which may be vodka or a type of gin called jenever, most likely diluted with water.

The chemical composition of the alcohol corresponds to that of the original brand of "Selters" water that is engraved on the bottle, according to the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk, Poland.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Good thing it had a 'born on date'.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Booze Ping.

[Veggie Todd]

A shipwreck and a bottle of booze - was a Kennedy somehow involved?

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

You’re quick!

[llevrok]

If I may suggest -

A shipwreck Oldsmobile and a bottle of booze - was a Kennedy somehow involved?

[1rudeboy]

I still remember when Jacques Cousteau and his crew found an intact amphora of wine in the Med. The first thing they did was crack it open and drink. To hell with science.

[Red_Devil 232]

Mmmmmm “Selters” water! What made us go west as young men Settlers is misspelled.

[Slump Tester]

Or a shipwreck pregnant woman, an Oldsmobile and a bottle of booze.

[cripplecreek]

The ship my great grandfather came over to America on was the SS Mount Temple. The Germans sank it during WWI.

Its full of dinosaur bones......all still dead.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

That’s cool that you know that tidbit about your ancestors.

[CincyRichieRich]

I don’t care much for booze; however, when the DogFishHead Brewmeister-head dude gets hops off a 200 yr old ship and brews a batch, wow. Pricy, but top drawer. Love the porters, stouts, ales, barley wines...even mead.

[Brother Cracker]

[MaxMax]

I wouldn’t fall off the wagon for it, but I would take a taste. A drop.

[cripplecreek]

The SS Mount Temple had a short and eventful service life. It first saw service in 1901 as a troop transport in the Boer wars. Here it is where it ran aground off Nova Scotia. It also responded to distress calls from the Titanic.



The Germans took pictures of it as the German SMS Mowe was fixing to scuttle her. They didn't want it used to supply the British.

[RedMDer]

FReepers! Let's go!
Every donation counts!



Keep Free Republic Alive with YOUR Donations!

Make a difference.

PLEASE Contribute Today!



[NormsRevenge]

Well, it’s either gonna kill ya outright or?? Blind ya, maim ya or petrify your wood.

Another shot ;-?

[1rudeboy]

If I recall, it was turned to vinegar . . . but everyone did a shot, anyway. Because.

[SunkenCiv]

I barely got through this one. Thank ButThreeLeftsDo. Seems like a good choice for the weekly digest.

[Larry Lucido]

So is it “Pre-War” (of 1812)?

[NormsRevenge]

Only 200 years old, a little briny, buttt. MMazeltov!

Fifty year old scotch would work too.