On the 16.feb. 2004, while camping in Tasmania, I found a plastic bottle washed up on the beach. I quickly noticed that there was a few rolled up pieces of paper in the bottle. This was very exciting, and I was really looking forward to see what was in the bottle. The letters I found made an enormous impression on me and I would like to share it with you.

The beach on the N-E tip of Tasmania. Click image for large version.

My girlfriend and I were on our second day of our camping trip to Tasmania. We had set up camp close to the beach, and decided to go for an evening walk along the beautiful white beach. We were completely alone, and the beach stretched for miles.

Our good mood was furthered by discovering this bottle. What we found made us both, at first, very sad.

The letter we found read:

Sam William Dowling (13 Sept 1977 – 6 Nov 2002)

We are sailing along the top end of Tassie heading for Hobart, in the “Torres Pearl” (an old pearling lugger built on Thursday Island (Aust)) – 1928. It was then known as the “Sedney”. Phil and Sue Hart are the captains; their sons Toby and Jamie and Sue’s cousin Michael Smith and his girlfriend Tori, are the crew.

As we reach the N.E. tip of Tassie, we shall set this bottle (with its contents Sam’s spirit) free, to travel where it may.

Although Sam only walked on this earth for a short 25 years, may his spirit through this bottle visit many places that he may have wanted to see if he had had more time.

Whoever may read this, Sam died in a motor bike accident Nov. 6^th 2002. He was a very gentle soul and many hearts were broken that day. He was the nephew of Sue, and cousin of Toby, Jamie and Michael. He Shared many happy holidays with Toby, Jamie, Sue, Phil, Emily and Jessica Hart in Evandale Tas, when their grandmother Winnie Downling brought him across Bass Strait from Victoria. They all went bushwalking, swimming in the Sth Esk river, exploring the farm, “Trafalgar” and building cubbies.

We All miss you Sambo and send you our love. From the “Maccas”, the “Harts” and Grandma and Grand-dad.

Whoever reads this could you Please return this letter to the bottle and send it on its way again. Let us know if you read it.

“The Harts” 141 Trafalgar Lane, Evandale Tas. 7212 Aust. Phone 03-63918309. e-mail – middleearth@OzEmail.com.au

I’ll also remember the last waltz Sambo – Love Susie X

The second letter read:

Some of the happiest times of my childhoosd involved you Sam. And it was an honour to be your cousin. TOBY

The third letter:

Dear Sam

Thanks for helping me build my firstt billy cart, and swimming at the basin. Also thanks for scaring me while I was younger with Toby. It helped make me as tough as I am now. Jamie Heart.

The fourth letter:

Dear Sam,

A sad time in all our Lives when we lost you, I’m sailing down the East Coast Of Tassie with Phi,l Suzie, Toby, Jamie, and my partner. Wish you were here with us as it is an awesome experience. I guess you are with us anyway watching over us either that or having a great time with Liam.

Miss ya

Mick

The fifth letter:

Sam.

As you know I didn’t make it to your funeral but I don’t like them much, and I guess you don’t either.

I am really pleased that we caught up at the wedding and both Susie and I were full of the fun we had and esp. enjoyed seeing you kids after such a long time.

Anyway don’t worry we will all see you again before too long and and hopefully share a VB with you again. I [???] you had grown to a fine young man, its no wonder everyone misses you. Phil.

We talked a lot about death, family, friends, love and Sam that night. Although I never met Sam, trough the actions of his friends and family, he made an impression in my life.

We brought the bottle with us on our camping trip. I guess Sam had seen most of the places we went to in Tasmania, so we also brought the bottle back to Melbourne with us. There we gave it to some friends who threw the bottle back in the ocean when they were out sailing of the coast of Australia. I am hoping that the bottle has travelled far, and that its content has influenced many people.

I didn’t bring the bottle back to Europe, but the memories from that beach in Tasmania has followed me in the years since I left Australia. I hope this webpage can further the “travels” of Sam, and serve as a reminder too the value of the people around us.

After posting this entry, I have been contacted by Sam´s family. Here are a few words they wanted included:

Our names are Amy and Harry , Sam’s sister and nephew. We are touched at how beautiful this site is and thank-you for letting us remember how truly special Sam is.To me as a brother Sam was always there, someone who understood everything I was feeling and with a simple laugh or a joke about Dad going grey would make me feel like I was the most beautiful girl in the world. Sure we would have our ups and downs like all siblings ~ Yes I did eat all his rocky road, but I was lucky to have a wonderful brother like Sam! To my great family, my mum, dad older sister and younger brother and my husband and two children who in their own ways carry a part of Sam that I can see every day I thank-you.

Amy

Sam I loved you like a father you shared your subway cookies with me you let me ride your motorbike I didn’t really know what was going on because I was 4 but I still loved you and I always will.

Harry

Sam William Dowling (13 Sept 1977 – 6 Nov 2002)

Emma, Sam´s sisters wedding 2 Nov 2002. Left to right: Amy, Brendon, Emma, Brett, Gayle, Tommy and Sam.

From Susan:

Hi Sambo,
I bet you love your website, thanks to Gunnar. I think he is going to make a great doctor, a heart surgeon I reckon, he’s so good at mending broken hearts.

Well Sambo after we released your bottle about 2 dozen dolphins came swimming beside and in front of the Torres Pearl and they stayed with us for such a long time. Later that night more returned and the phosphorous in the water made them glow, aswell as the spray they sent out as they dived in and out of the water in front of the boat. Michael was amazed at their spectacle, and he has spent many years in boats around Australia’s shores.

Robyn told me that when they scattered Liam’s ashes into the waters off Lorne they also made an appearance. So when its my turn on the wheel, late at night, while the rest of the crew are dozing, and the dolphins come calling I try to guess which one is you, Nanny Ida, Poppy Billy or Auntie Bertie. I think Auntie Bertie has winked at me a couple of times.

Here is a photo of the “Torres Pearl”.

Love Susie. See you on the water.