Posted by Randy on November 01, 19103 at 20:02:49:
I read with interest the discussion of the port hole being sold on e-bay. I would like to add my nickels worth. First I might add that over twenty years ago I used to dive. I therefore can speak from experience on finding shipwreck debris, trinkets, items of interest and even items of great value. I mostly found things of debris and trinkets nothing of great value . Most of my diving was with groups and we always gave the findings to a museum but we were involved with the removing some materials to go to a restaurant located near the shipwreck. I didn't realize that we were giving it to somebody else. The restaurant is closed but the rudder is still there. I have studied great lakes history for quite a few years and have amassed a nice collection of pictures postcards a couple of house flags and I good collection of books. I enjoy my hobby.
I believe that there are a great number of great divers out there who go to a wreck and take only pictures and leave only bubbles. Regretfully there are a few who are intent on pilfering the material off a wreck regardless of the damage done to the vessel in their retrieval of artifacts. At the same time I don't have a problem with someone who goes to a wreck sees an item and then takes it to a place where it can be displayed. I don't have a real problem with someone disposing of an artifact if they don't want it any longer by e-bay. If he doesn't want it any longer how else will he get rid of it. I am sure that he does not have the interest to write letters or phone people at museums and ask if they are interest. I don't think I would go through all of that. I would go to a local museum but I would not be calling all over the states to see if somebody would buy the item. It does not matter how the guy got the porthole, when he got it or how he got it. I think e-bay is a better method of disposal than throwing it into the garbage. I know we have all heard that.
I have a question: Let us say that we are walking along the beach one summers day and a lifering comes floating along, it belongs to a wrecked vessel would you keep it as a souvenir or would you call authorities. There are more questions than answers to this question of removing items from a shipwreck. I who gave up divin would love to see those items at a museum. Yet at the same time I don't blame people who dive and bring something home for their display. I also think that it is important to be able to see items on a ship not just the vessel itself.You have to have a balance. You have to have respect.