Posted by Paul Hancock on January 17, 1999 at 02:37:34:
Hi,
Well, I have a simple question to ask everyone who follows this newsgroup.
Would everyone like a centralized database of all shipwrecks in the Great Lakes and if possible all bodies of water in the world?
I have been doing research since I learned how to read (my first book was Frederick Stonehouse's Isle Royale Shipwrecks 1977 edition). Since then, I have collected nearly 70 books on shipwrecks and have spent hours upon hours in every small library along the Great Lakes. However, it is impossible for any one individual to collect enough information on all the shipwrecks out there. In fact, many of us have elected to specialize in certain locations or time periods. Stonehouse and Wolfe specialized in Lake Superior shipwrecks while Baillod, the owner of this website and myself have primarily spent time on Lake Michigan Shipwrecks. There are a few like Heden and Swayze who have collected a large number of shipwrecks across all Great Lakes, but do not include many shipwrecks that might not be listed in the major references available.
So what is a researcher to do? I offer this idea to debate. Is it possible to start a centralized database online (and offline) for research, schools or libraries. For example, I have no possible way to do get to references in Canada except those printed in the States. A central database would make that information available without the issue of traveling to Toronto or Owen Sound to do this research.
For those who have written books on Great Lakes shipwrecks, I would offer that it is the information not your manuscript which I would hope you would provide. I do not wish to see any author have his work misused nor do I wish to see his data kept from the general public.
A final note I wish to add. I have noticed in the last several years that much of the Great Lakes historical community has spent time in competition or isolation from each other. I have received around 50 to 75 shipwreck historical society membership information. There are just too many groups without the necessary funds or resources. My hometown historical group had a single file folder which was the total accumulation of all available information on shipwrecks in the area. It also could not save several shipwrecks from being destroyed by tourism and divers. Eventually, I see a bleak future if things persist as they do now. It is quite possible that in the near future that information will pass into obscurity and the shipwreck themselves will have been gutted for trophies for divers. Just think of the Three Brothers which now is more a hulk with little more than a short sketch of information on her. And she was protected within one of the underwater preserves!
If you agree or not, please post your opinion.
Thank You