Posted by Mark Lehde on December 19, 19100 at 16:19:07:
In Reply to: Tom Farnquist... posted by Matthew Williamson on August 23, 19100 at 04:25:09:
: Does anybody here know of Tom Farnquist? He's the man who led the expedition to retrieve the bell from the EDMUND FITZGERALD. I am doing research for a motion picture and would like to know a little more about him...
: What I DO know is that, after meticulous restoration of the ship's bell by a local university, Mr Farnquist decided he did not like the "look" of the bell and sent it in to be SANDED and POLISHED!
: I'd like to give him every opportunity to defend his actions BEFORE I draft them into my screenplay. I'd also like to serve this warning: if the above story is indeed TRUE, and he has had the bell resurfaced on his own volition, then I will take great pains to pursue a more thorough investigation of his character.
: As it stands, based on evidence I've recieved, Mr Farnquist is a plunderer and an opportunist. His interest in the FITZGERALD goes only as far as his own pockets- people like him are out to rape history for financial gain. The recovery of the bell may have been a good thing for the families of the crew, but I strongly doubt that such altruism is a part of Mr Farnquist's collective psyche.
: Let me know!
: Matt Williamson
Back off there Matt. Tom Farnquist worked under very difficult conditions at the request of the families who lost their loved ones on the Fitz and does not need someone to come along after the fact with a host of unfounded bilge. As another writer noted he has done an impressive volume of work PRESERVING the historical integrity of many lake sites and you are off base here.