Seafarer Exploration Corp (SFRX)

[narnia1000]

Interesting perspective, and viewpoints.


I've worked on both archaeological and treasure salvage projects and have done extensive research on shipwrecks. I've put in more time than I can remember along with my own money into archaeological research and excavation work with absolutely no financial gain, simply because of my love of the sea. I've also worked on treasure salvage projects (mainly the 1715 Fleet wrecks). I do believe government (either local or State) can work with the private sector and both can benefit.

Unfortunately, many wreck sites will not be here forever. Those that lie close inshore off the Florida coastline are subject to the ravages of storms, dredging projects and even condo construction, as I've seen remains of wrecks during the building of these things along our shores. A dredging project off Jupiter, Florida dumped artifacts and coins up on the beach from that well known wreck. Another dredging project off Delaware, literally dumped thousands of artifacts (most all now destroyed) from a ship believed to be the Severn, which wrecked in 1774.

Having worked a number of years on the 1715 wrecks, I'e recovered many artifacts and coins that I know would not be around another 100 years or so as they were already in bad shape. These sites are scattered for miles in some areas. Many of Florida's wrecks are impacted more and more as time goes by. And yet there are also wreck sites that are preserved in mud or some other condition that will keep them intact for hundreds of more years. Should all these wrecks be "hands off" except for a degreed archaeologist, or can the private sector also be allowed to work on some of these wrecks under the guidance of an archaeologist?

Of the thousands of wrecks off the Florida coast and in inland waters, only a very few carried treasure or a "valuable" cargo. Yet many others have a story to tell, and some even inpacted Florida's history. The GIL BLAS which wrecked in 1836 off Broward County, Florida, had no valuable cargo, yet it impacted that area's history. Our non-profit group, the Marine Archaeological Council, Inc., worked on this site under a State permit, and the few atifacts brought up, which now belonged to the State, were conserved and put on display at a local museum. The site is in the surf zone, and if the town which it lies off of does a scheduled beach re-nourisment project, what remains will be buried forever.

If a private company wanted to spend the time and money required to find, excavate, preserve, and display artifacts from a wreck, why shouldn't they be allowed to. Let's face it, local and federal government doesn't have the resources to fund many of these projects. Yes, Florida and it's universities have done some very fine archaeological excavation work. But there are thousand's of shipwrecks, many which are in peril. The private sector salvors have also done extensive research, financed archaeological digs, opened museum's, and published archaeological reports etc. Salvors like Marx, Weller, and others have written numerous books on the subject, all for the public to enjoy. Mel Fisher's Key West Museum is probably one of the most visited shipwreck museums in the world. It was private sector salvors that found the slave ship Henrietta Marie. It wasn't plundered and destroyed, but excavated using archaeological guidelines with an archaeologist on site, and is now a travelling exhibit seen by thousands which brings to life the sad history of the slave trade. Some argue that nothing should ever be sold. If 100,000 of the same type coins are recovered from a wreck, why not sell some to recover your cost. Usually the State or whatever government entity issuing a lease gets their pick of artifacts to put on display, study, etc. The State of Florida probably has the best collection of New World coinage in existence, thanks to the private sector. No cost to the taxpayers!

There is a rich history yet to be discovered under our oceans, and if a responsible private enterprise can help to discover some of it, why not. If all shipwrecks become off limits, I'm afraid that most of the millions of divers out there who may come across a site will never report any finds, and if something of value were to be found, none of us will ever know!

Steve Singer
Author "Shipwrecks of Florida"