Last Sunday's piece on the tragic last message sent in a bottle by the crew of the sinking barge Cynthia met with a lot of interest.

Several readers have kindly sent in further information. Richard Little did a lot of research for the Thames Sailing Barge Trust last year, and knew the story. He kindly sent me an extract from 28 May 1895 edition of the Essex Herald which explains a lot, particularly how the message in a bottle was relayed to Captain Gentry's family.

The article explains that the message was (understandably) mis-dated, the Thursday referred to being 16th May. This places the sinking three days earlier than I stated. The address really does seem to be 66 Wantz Road, although the Census four years earlier lists number 17. Either the family had moved lodgings or the road was re-numbered (which indeed did happen at one point). Number 66 is still there, close to the Star House guest house.

The message was quickly sent to Mrs Gentry at this address, and she sent a wire to the owners of the barge, who replied: "The letter is confirmed by our agent in Dunkirk. We deeply regret the sad loss of your husband, and offer you our sincere condolences. Walker, Howard and Co."

In the harsh conditions of the time, this may have been the only gesture that was made to the widow and her four children. Two years later, the Workmen's Compensation Act introduced the idea that employers might have some responsibility when employees died or were injured. The families of sailors lost with the Titanic each received up to £300 compensation from White Star in 1912.

The Herald piece notes that Captain Gentry "…was a very able sailor. The greatest sympathy is felt on all sides for Mrs Gentry and her four children, as Capt. Gentry was well known and greatly respected."

The article mentions a cousin working as a cooper at Chelmsford Brewery, and reader Christine McDonald points out that another part of the Gentry family was well known in Mundon, with children attending the old Mundon School, and family burials in Mundon Churchyard.