A gin-filled stainless steel ball sunk in Lake Constance in 2022 has been discovered and recovered after more than two years. The find resolves one of the lake's most famous mysteries. The Swiss catering company now plans to distribute the contents to loyal customers.
In late summer 2022, a Swiss catering company sank a 230-liter stainless steel ball filled with gin into Lake Constance. The aim was to infuse the alcohol with a special aroma during 100 days of storage in the lake. Customers had already pre-ordered and paid for the gin. By the end of 2022, when the ball was due to be recovered, it had vanished without a trace. Despite searches by police divers and a specialist firm, the container remained unfound, with theft suspected.
Silvan Paganini from the Schiffsbergeverein took up the search using sonar and a diving robot, prompted by persistent questions from a reporter. Near the suspected location, he found the ball covered with a plastic sheet and overgrown with mussels, making it hard to spot. The lake bottom is challenging terrain: tree trunks, large rocks, steel beams, and deep silt complicate any recovery.
With this, we solved one of the most famous mysteries of Lake Constance after more than two years.
– Silvan Paganini in an interview with ORF.
After the discovery, Paganini notified the Swiss lake police. They located and recovered the ball on Friday midday. A spokesperson for the Thurgau cantonal police confirmed: "The lake police were able to locate and retrieve the gin ball, reported stolen in 2022, from Lake Constance on Friday midday."
The company had refunded most customers. Now, the gin will go to those who waived refunds and kept faith. Caterer Jenny Fisch promised: "Everyone who believed in us will get their gin." The finders will also receive a share.
