Posted by Scott McWilliam on May 03, 19101 at 23:01:23:
In Reply to: Re: Hamilton&Scourge Update posted by Phil on May 03, 19101 at 19:44:24:
Difficult to know what to make out of this type of account David relates. They have offered this type of funding arrangement in the past and the City of Hamilton has consistently failed to raise their share of the money. Overall it would be fair to say nothing is being done as fast as possible.
The political in fighting in Hamilton has been a horror story. I do not know of many (or any) survivors from the original core group still involved. I am not particularly known for my tact, but in my view a lot of good and well-meaning people have been systematic screwed over on this project. The "advisory committee" has resigned and recanted several times. I always find the relationship between people (usually divers) and shipwrecks interesting.
Meanwhile Marilyn the marvellous is style at the helm of the project (and on the parole) does not dive, has not studied archaeology or history and has a degree in recreation. Sounds like the kind of key personnel you need in charge of one of the most significant marine archaeology projects in the world. Any questions as to why the project has met with such a remarkable lack of success? The people in charge of this project are not competent in my view.
It is very apparent that the majority of the archaeological community believes minimal impact diving should be allowed on the site. The Hamilton and Scourge are archaeological sites, but the issue in not archaeology it is control. Raising shipwrecks from submerged environments is by and large a bad idea. The Vasa has been soaked to preserve it, so far it has soaked up more than twenty five-million dollars. If a diver said he wanted to raise a wreck you would call him a fool, yet when the City of Hamilton says they are going to raise two shipwrecks it becomes a laudable effort? The Hamilton and Scourge project has never been economially viable and if current trends in conservation methodology continue it will never be.
Frankly, I am very tired of the narrow minded thinking the City of Hamilton et el. they have repeatedly lashed out at anyone expressing an interest in the site. From a certain point of view the Hamilton and Scourge project is little more than three over weight women with no expertise in the field but who, of course know much better than everyone else. They are arrogant, bombastic and have threatened everyone who has ever expressed an interest in diving the site with litigation. I quake in my very fins.
Fortunately no one knows the secret location of the site at
N. 43. 18. 427 by W. 79.16.005
I guess we would have a real archaeological disaster if "Tech divers" ever found out this location. (If your missing the joke to this you should check out the Hamilton and Scourge page, (divers, and tech divers are of course all thieves and vandals. I may lack charm but did you have any questions about my point of view? Gunilda@worldchat.com
Kindest regards,
Scott McWilliam
: S. . . difficult to know what to make out of this, the city of Hamilton has repeditly failed to match similar funding arangements and nothing is getting done faster than ever.
I would be one of the first to say that the Hamilton and Scourge are significant archaeological sites but I also believe they should be open for minimal impact diving.
Finally,archaeology aside
: : Personal note- This could go on for ever.:)
: Some one out there is making a lot of money off of this, you can bet on it. Most likely the freaking Laywers :b