Attempt At Pirating the Wreck

[Bill Willard]

Paul,
During the 2000 Expedition, Sagalevitch stopped the Keldysh at least twice on the way home because a large amount of money owed to them by the company had not been paid. The company had to borrow $250,000 from a company in the Bahamas, SAGE Capital, and wire transfer the money to the account designated by the Russians. It was only after this transaction was complete did the artifacts transfer to the Explorer and everyone returned to home ports. A friend of Sagalevitch told me that he'll never do business with one particular person at the company again.

Michael,
Judge Rebecca Beach Smith is now the Judge in Norfolk over the Titanic case.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Thanks for that update on who the judge is, Bill. I hope she's as tough as Clarke was.

 

[monica e. hall]

Of course there wasn't a prototype helicopter aboard Titanic, how silly. It was undoubtedly a prototype autogiro, as illustrated below by the great Bruce McCall in "Zany Afternoons". Perfected by 1920, it was used by New York socialites for autogiro jousting to while away the hours between luncheon and cocktails. Also illustrated in this wonderful book is the RMS Tyrranic, the biggest thing in the world, where gentlemen are requested to refrain from riding ponies through steerage after 8.00 pm. If you fancy buying this book it'll set you back a few bucks - luckily I got my copy in 1975!

 

[Brian Hawley]

A fantastic book Monica! I thought I was one of the few with a copy! Tank Polo looks even more fun than Autogiro Jousting.

Tyranic... "The right crowd and no crowding."

Brian

 

[monica e. hall]

I always fancied the Zeppelin Shoot ("they fell so much more gracefully than grouse").

Tyrannic ...."Mutton is taken, X deck".

I truly think, if you own this book, it is impossible to become really depressed!

 

[Lee Gilliland]

Monica, what was the title of this book? It sounds like a scream!

 

[monica e. hall]

Hi Lee,
it's called "Zany Afternoons" by Bruce McCall, and it's a bit of a rare bird, and rather sought after. Amazon claims to have it but it's over $100 for a used copy. I've seen it cheaper though, but not recently. I think it's probably the funniest book I've ever seen. He draws wonderful pictures (he worked as an illustrator for car adverts in the '50's and the experience stayed with him ... the 'Bulgemobile'...) and also a great copywriter, a rare combination. I'm seriously thinking of buying a hardback 'collectors' edition, as my paperback is falling to pieces, having been lent to anyone ill or depressed to help them pull themselves together - it's never failed yet! I can't describe the RMS Tyrannic to you - it has to be seen. But all livestock is thrown overboard before it docks, and there is a pack of cards available in the steerage tuck shop...... if you've got a few bucks - buy it!
Monica

 

[Ryan Thompson]

Where can I find an image of the Tyrranic? I cant find one anywhere.

 

[William Oakes]

Documents should arrive in Court in Norfolk tomorrow morning, revealing that 4 former RMST employees were involved in an attempt to recover artifacts from Titanic. At least two of the employees were still employed by RMST when the planning for this began.

Pictures and copies of documents supporting the statements regarding the rogue expedition were submitted as well.

RMST, per the grapevine, will return to Titanic contrary to earlier announcements, possibly as soon as the summer of 2005. This may be announced soon by the company, if my source is correct. They will also flip-flop on the salvor status. Recently the company declared an intent to relinquish salvor status, but now they see that is a poor option and will no longer cling to that philosophy.

What was the outcome of this?
Was justice served?
What these people engaged in is a criminal enterprise.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

What these people engaged in is a criminal enterprise.

My understanding is that this is a bit of an ongoing situation which hasn't been resolved. Perhaps we might be hearing something definitive when we get together for the upcoming conference this year.