Historical information

This bottle has come from the aerated waters factory of John Fletcher of Warrnambool. This factory in Koroit Street was established in the mid 19th century by John Davis. As a young boy John Fletcher worked at the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for a number of years for John Davis at his Union Cordial Factory. In 1885 John Fletcher succeeded John Davis and continued in this business until 1930. The business was then taken over by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured aerated waters, soda, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsaparilla and cordials.

The bottle would have been sealed with a cork stopper. The torpedo shape of the bottle would ensure that it was stored on its side, keeping the cork moist so that it didn't shrink and cause the bottle to leak its contents.

Significance

The bottle is significant for its unusual torpedo shape and for being sold by the long standing John Fletcher's soft drink business in Warrnambool who was a prominent soft drinks manufacturer in Warrnambool for over 40 years.

Physical description

Torpedo shaped green glass bottle, name of manufacture of contents, John Fletcher Late and J. Davis, of Koroit St Warrnambool, is impressed in the glass.

Inscriptions & markings

"John Fletcher Late and J. Davis Koroit St Warrnambool"