Posted by Bob G. on November 07, 19101 at 18:31:33:
In Reply to: Re: Rosinco Decision posted by Jon Zeaman on November 07, 19101 at 14:06:07:
Mr. Zeaman:
You misunderstood me. First you assume I am against archeologists and for salvors, which is not true. I am pro shipwreck conservation.
Without mentioning specifics, I have worked with several archeologists. I have had some good experiences with them, but also a number of bad ones. I don't quarrel with the good achievements of the Historical Societies. I quarrel with the heavy-handed gestapo-like actions of some of them.
I am not saying that Mr. Ehorn was correct in his salvage, but to take him directly to court over an artifact he donated to a museum? Those that chose to go that route simply wanted to hurt Ehorn and put fear in the diving community. Rather than subtly pressuring Ehorn and reaching some agreement, they wanted to make an example of him. So what did they accomplish? A long drawn-out court battle that has partially backfired on them. They are wasting taxpayers' dollars and solidifying hatred by many in the diving community, when they could be positively encouraging divers to start actively participating in shipwreck conservation and maybe even working in concert with preservation agencies.
Mr. Ehorn might have even been convinced to mend his ways, had the right pressure been applied. But no, instead they forced him to legally defend himself in a wasted court case. He might not even considered claiming ownership, had he not been forced into a position of defense.
I have no great love for many professional salvors either. Most I have met are merceneries who wouldn't give you the time of day without asking for money in return. Their only interest in shipwrecks is what money can they make from them.
Then there are the divers who can't resist that one souvenir. I have seen that attitude change a lot over the years, which is good. The word has gotten through to the younger divers that shipwreck conservation is cool. Take only photos, leave only bubbles.
It's too bad we can't convince the older divers, maybe through an amnesty program, to give up their souvenirs, and let the historical societies preserve and display them.
There are so many positive things that can be done, either by caring for what is submerged, or properly documenting, salvaging and displaying those artifacts that should be brought up.
But no, both sides would rather fight each other to the death. And what suffers? The cause of preservation. As I have said before, neither side has much to be proud of in this Roscinco issue.