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You wrote:
>Right on.
>
>It's kind of interesting to listen to people talking about all the
implements
>of destruction they haul along with them on wreck dives when I come
from the
>climate of wreck preservation which is prevalent here on the Great
Lakes.
> The state of Michigan prohibits taking anything off a shipwreck
within its
>waters; some of the other states are following its lead with similar
laws.
> I've heard all the arguments in favor of salvage of artifacts by
sport
>divers, but, in spite of my own desire to have my own brass porthole,
I have
>to agree with the preservation ethic. Over the last few years I have
dove on
>far-from-virgin wrecks with the masts still standing, deadeyes still
on the
>chainplates, anchors still hung on the catheads, belaying pins still
in place
>in the rails, and nameboards still in place on the bow. I know I'm
not the
>first diver to see these sights, nor will I be the last. Recovered
artifacts
>look nice all cleaned up and displayed in a museum, but they're a lot
more
>interesting on the bottom where they belong.
>
>Dan
Dan,
Your thoughts are highly commendable. This is a controversy that will
continue, discussed ad nauseum. It is highly possible that no single,
global ans exists.
The Great Lakes (cold fresh water) 'preserve' the wrecks, while the
marine environment contributes to their destruction.
Thus some of the pardigms that guide GL wreck diving may not apply, w/o
modification, the mar enviro.
In addition one has 2 decide if all wrecks need to be preserved. Those
that are arheologists have the stance that untill they get their hands
on a wreck, nobody should touch. Given their resources, that is an
impossible goal. At the opposite end there R those who believe that a
wreck is 'public domain' & can be salvaged.
Obviously there is some truth 2 both.
Survey of unique wrecks is probably required. But what is a uniquw
wreck - Is a tanker that sank in 1980 a unique wreck that will have
some archeological value. For a period it may have forensic value, but
beyond that it becomes a hull with the following fates:
1. Salvage
2. Depth charge nd/or wire dragging if a hazard to navigation
3. Rotting.
What is the objection to taking some brass, a relic, a sample of its
cargo from that wreck?
The British have a very enlightened approach. They have a 'convent' w/
divers, who report their finds to the competent authority, wh/ decides
on its value (and the value of the wreck, if an unknown one) as a
relic. If museum quality, the diver surrenders it, where it is
conserved & dispalyed in the appropriate venue (with due credit to the
person recovering it).
That system exists in a voluntary manner in some places in the US,
where divers turn over their finds to museums. Thus allows recognition
4 the diver, the conservation of the relic, information & potential 4
research on wrecks that are significant & finally, allow them to be
seen by the non diving public.
Thus, though condemnation of 'wreck diver's fever' is easy, the issue
is not a one that has a simple answer.
Regards
Esat Atikkan
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