Who Owns Lost Ships?

Nova Online ^ | unknown | Peter Tyson

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Who Owns Lost Ships?
by Peter Tyson

In one sense, the question is moot. The sea owns lost ships, of course. Tens of thousands of shipwrecks litter the beds of oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water. Some of them have rested there for thousands of years and will likely remain there forever. But when human beings find and covet a wreck -- for its historical value, its diving possibilities, its gold -- then the question suddenly becomes rabidly contentious.

[click the link for the whole article]

[Travis McGee]

Did you dig those crazy chicks flying the crop dusters in formation?

[strela]

I would think there are a lot of easier ways to come up with a few pounds of gold.

Agree. That's why I believe it would be easier to sneak into the place after closing and replace the Plexiglas panel on the display with something a bit more user-friendly. Those Dremel tools make a bit of noise as well, and if you're being watched as closely as you say, you'd be busted before you could cut a 1-cm nick in the bar.

Of course, aqua regia dissolves gold - it would be a shame if some accidentally got spilled on the bar then mopped up with a handy towel ...

[Travis McGee]

You don't understand how thick that glass is, or how well set it is into solid walls. "Removing" it is not on.

[strela]

"Removing" it is not on.

It is hard to tell without having seen it. But, anything with a physical structure can be (re)moved - "Give me a big enough lever, and I can move the world" ...

[Willie Green]

According to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality:

Shipwrecks and other underwater cultural resources, such as prehistoric sites, piers, wharves and other structures, are valuable and non-renewable. More than just shipwrecks, these resources are irreplaceable records of our cultural history. The State of Michigan manages shipwrecks as public trust resources to protect them for divers, archaeologists, and future generations to explore, study and enjoy.
.
Shipwrecks are publicly owned resources that are important to divers and nondivers alike.

This travesty was signed into law by RINO Governor John Engler as a favor to his scuba diving buddies.