Discovery of wreck artifacts

*Brian Allen* · July 3rd, 2006, 04:35 PM

I've been doing a few trimix dives recently mainly on mixed boats, mainly full of rebreather lads, old wreckers on independant twins (one with air, one with mix) and my trusted DIR buddy.

I know that the GUE way is to leave only bubbles and take only pictures. But what about when you know next week someone will come along and lift said object, never to be seen again??? You know it probably wont be reported to the receiver of wreck, and will probably sit in someones front lounge for the next 10-20 years.

I came across the brass helm of a world war II gun boat yesterday, and started wondering what would be the best thing to do. A few other people on the boat were quite keen to go back and get it, I give it a couple of weeks before its gone. I could easily, weather permiting, go back in a few days and rescue it, and then what??? What would you do?

Bri

**GLOC** · July 3rd, 2006, 04:41 PM

Difficult question...and I don't know the answer, other than to dive it more so that you can see it before it goes!

Gary K · July 3rd, 2006, 05:13 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Brian A)

A few other people on the boat were quite keen to go back and get it, I give it a couple of weeks before its gone.

from what I heard, I wouldn't give it that long

vid · July 3rd, 2006, 06:06 PM

lift it, report it to RoW and (assuming you can keep it) then "loan on a long term basis" to a good local museum

vid

Digger · July 3rd, 2006, 06:15 PM

Oi, that's mine! Let us get it off and sell it, then refund all the cash from the last few weeks diving eh?

Anyway, what's the difference between a porthole and a helm? Size? Morals? Chances of getting into trouble?

Why not offer the skipper portholes in exchange for that? Must take more liftbags...

Digs.

Rob Dobson · July 3rd, 2006, 06:24 PM

It's a tough one - but personally I'd leave it. What's the difference between me taking it and someone else?

If I don't agree with a practice I won't do it - I don't like people taking stuff off of wrecks so I won't do it.

Now if I was to come across a solid gold bar - that would strain my principals...

***ericfine50*** · July 3rd, 2006, 07:37 PM

If you are going to salvage it from the wreck. Please restore it and let people see it. Allow the artifact to tell the story of that Gun Boat. To many good artifacts are in basements or closets. One of the cool things about wreck diving (I think) is using something you have recovered and restored and tell a story to those that don't dive or those who have not dove the wreck.

But... That is just me

Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC · July 3rd, 2006, 08:33 PM

Take it man! I wouldn't, but maybe that's just me

Ahmed

*Brian Allen* · July 3rd, 2006, 08:36 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Digger)

Oi, that's mine! Let us get it off and sell it, then refund all the cash from the last few weeks diving eh?

Well.... it could have been yours

Quote: (Originally Posted by ericfine50)

If you are going to salvage it from the wreck. Please restore it and let people see it. Allow the artifact to tell the story of that Gun Boat. To many good artifacts are in basements or closets. One of the cool things about wreck diving (I think) is using something you have recovered and restored and tell a story to those that don't dive or those who have not dove the wreck.

Decision made I think i'll salvage it, report it, restore it, and display it publically somewhere... now where can i find a dive boat to take me out???

wilbo · July 3rd, 2006, 08:49 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Brian A)

Well.... it could have been yours

Decision made I think i'll salvage it, report it, restore it, and display it publically somewhere... now where can i find a dive boat to take me out???

erm - walk out of the shop with kit, turn right, through gate, down ramp onto your own boat and.. well.. you'll figure the rest..

July 3rd, 2006, 04:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brian Allen(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London & Plymouth Posts: 647	I've been doing a few trimix dives recently mainly on mixed boats, mainly full of rebreather lads, old wreckers on independant twins (one with air, one with mix) and my trusted DIR buddy. I know that the GUE way is to leave only bubbles and take only pictures. But what about when you know next week someone will come along and lift said object, never to be seen again??? You know it probably wont be reported to the receiver of wreck, and will probably sit in someones front lounge for the next 10-20 years. I came across the brass helm of a world war II gun boat yesterday, and started wondering what would be the best thing to do. A few other people on the boat were quite keen to go back and get it, I give it a couple of weeks before its gone. I could easily, weather permiting, go back in a few days and rescue it, and then what??? What would you do? Bri __________________ ...dive planning again ... http://www.justgiving.com/Brian-Allen GUE fundamentals and Halcyon Equipment www.aquanauts.co.uk

July 3rd, 2006, 04:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
GLOC(Offline) Moderator and aka Mavis Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Malmesbury, Wilts Posts: 2,772	Difficult question...and I don't know the answer, other than to dive it more so that you can see it before it goes! __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar “Set your expectations high; find men and women whose integrity and values you respect; get their agreement on a course of action; and give them your ultimate trust.” “It is far better to be trusted and respected that it is to be liked.”

July 3rd, 2006, 06:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rob Dobson(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 690	It's a tough one - but personally I'd leave it. What's the difference between me taking it and someone else? If I don't agree with a practice I won't do it - I don't like people taking stuff off of wrecks so I won't do it. Now if I was to come across a solid gold bar - that would strain my principals... Last edited by Rob Dobson; July 3rd, 2006 at 07:39 PM..

July 3rd, 2006, 08:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
Brian Allen(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London & Plymouth Posts: 647	Quote: (Originally Posted by Digger) Oi, that's mine! Let us get it off and sell it, then refund all the cash from the last few weeks diving eh? Well.... it could have been yours Quote: (Originally Posted by ericfine50) If you are going to salvage it from the wreck. Please restore it and let people see it. Allow the artifact to tell the story of that Gun Boat. To many good artifacts are in basements or closets. One of the cool things about wreck diving (I think) is using something you have recovered and restored and tell a story to those that don't dive or those who have not dove the wreck. Decision made I think i'll salvage it, report it, restore it, and display it publically somewhere... now where can i find a dive boat to take me out??? __________________ ...dive planning again ... http://www.justgiving.com/Brian-Allen GUE fundamentals and Halcyon Equipment www.aquanauts.co.uk

July 3rd, 2006, 08:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
wilbo(Offline) Senior Chimp Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,562	Quote: (Originally Posted by Brian A) Well.... it could have been yours Decision made I think i'll salvage it, report it, restore it, and display it publically somewhere... now where can i find a dive boat to take me out??? erm - walk out of the shop with kit, turn right, through gate, down ramp onto your own boat and.. well.. you'll figure the rest.. __________________ Cheers! Wilbo DIR explorers: DIR Yorkshire Divers: YorkshireDivers One of the Foxturd chimps

July 3rd, 2006, 05:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gary K(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: in the wheelhouse Posts: 92	Quote: (Originally Posted by Brian A) A few other people on the boat were quite keen to go back and get it, I give it a couple of weeks before its gone. from what I heard, I wouldn't give it that long

July 3rd, 2006, 06:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
vid(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: london/surrey border, UK Posts: 356	lift it, report it to RoW and (assuming you can keep it) then "loan on a long term basis" to a good local museum vid

July 3rd, 2006, 06:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Digger(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Midlands Posts: 167	Oi, that's mine! Let us get it off and sell it, then refund all the cash from the last few weeks diving eh? Anyway, what's the difference between a porthole and a helm? Size? Morals? Chances of getting into trouble? Why not offer the skipper portholes in exchange for that? Must take more liftbags... Digs.

July 3rd, 2006, 07:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
*ericfine50*(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MA Posts: 622	If you are going to salvage it from the wreck. Please restore it and let people see it. Allow the artifact to tell the story of that Gun Boat. To many good artifacts are in basements or closets. One of the cool things about wreck diving (I think) is using something you have recovered and restored and tell a story to those that don't dive or those who have not dove the wreck. But... That is just me

July 3rd, 2006, 08:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: hurghada Posts: 1,100	Take it man! I wouldn't, but maybe that's just me Ahmed