Updated from todays paper about unidentified shipwreck, any ideas?

[MichaelB]

Does anyone want to venture a guess as to who (or is it whom) the wrecks might be?

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/117783857139720.xml&coll=3

Regards,

MichaelB

 

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[G.I.B.]

The entire news article is extremely interesting. Being new to the subject I’m absolutely stunned at the legalities involved. It appears that the people doing all the research, work, time, and effort have the least amount of claim. Nobody else knew it was there, would ever have looked for it, and have no ability to do anything about the wreck even if they knew where it was, but still retain ownership?

There is a lawyer involved for a possible descendent of a possible Captain of the possible vessel… ASTOUNDING! My brain sizzles at envisioning the legal connection that gives this nobody any rights whatsoever to this site…

They have a State Archeologist working on the dive site that can’t dive, and has never ever seen a sunken vessel before. She has, and I quote, “been reading underwater archaeology academic materials.”

I keep seeing the word ‘Lawyers’ throughout the article, which in itself explains a lot. I suppose that if it was not for all the lawyers, we would not need any lawyers…

My hat, well mask, is off you all you guys that struggle thru the system to bring the lost back up. Since reading this forum I have a greater understanding of all the hoops that require jumping thru.

Keep digging, it’s down there…

 

[spez401]

Those damn lawyers... oh, ... I keep forgetting that I am one.

I would guess that the captain's decendant's lawyer would get involved if the captain had an ownership interest in the vessel. If your great great great grandfather owned a piece of a small investment that potentially could be worth millions, and there was a possibility (even small and remote) of you being entitltled to a small fortune, wouldn't you hire a lawyer?

I can see why the RE investor got an attorney. He probably also has a disposable income that allows him to hire the attorneys. As for the rest of the attorneys involved... The salvage company did the right thing in filing a claim (im assuming admiralty) to secure the site. It protects thier interests.

And AbbyGale, you're right. Admiralty law, anything involving the federal courts is a huge process, and filled with tons of hoops to jump through. It is also very expensive (as litigation costs run). They are likely spending boatloads of money (no pun intended) to secure the rights to these sites. And I would guess that they have a good reason to do so. (You never disclose EVERYTHING in litigation)

Steve