lost souls

[markdol1]

I was wondering how other divers feel about doing wreck penetrations with the remains of people still inside. I have been in wrecks with scant evidence to a uboat with 53 men still there. I wondered if i could penetrate an area with a hundred souls like the Empress of Ireland or even thousands like the Wilhelm Gustloff. It might be too much for me. What do you feel?

 

[Ben Field]

Treat war grave wrecks like you would visiting any other battlefield, military cemetery or infamous location- with reverence and respect, take photos but no trinkets.

We farm over the Somme and walk our dog's along the beaches of Normandy- you can't avoid somewhere forever, just don't be an arse about it.

 

[Randy Thornton]

Treat war grave wrecks like you would visiting any other battlefield, military cemetery or infamous location- with reverence and respect, take photos but no trinkets.

We farm over the Somme and walk our dog's along the beaches of Normandy- you can't avoid somewhere forever, just don't be an arse about it.

Totally agree with you Ben!

 

[rbjonez]

I wasn't really sure how I would feel about it until I did it. I didn't find it troubling and of course didn't touch anything. I felt a strange, humble transport back in time to what it might have been like to be on the receiving end of Operation Hailstone in 1944. I felt respectful gratitude that I was a happy, vacationing tourist diver and not a sailor in an all-out world war and that the world today is mostly a better place and time to live. The experience made $5.75 / CF of helium slightly more bearable.

 

[oya]

Treat war grave wrecks like you would visiting any other battlefield, military cemetery or infamous location- with reverence and respect, take photos but no trinkets.

We farm over the Somme and walk our dog's along the beaches of Normandy- you can't avoid somewhere forever, just don't be an arse about it.

Amen!

 

[Diveratt]

Just treat them with respect regardless. I've dived wrecks in Truk where you can still see human remains and I think you owe the a little to get to know the story behind the wrecks your diving. The one wreck that I found. A little different was the Salam Express in the Red Sea. The it's only about 25 years old and still full of the belongings of those that perished, felt quite sad after that one.

 

[heyydude]

Interesting thread...

I was diving the Salem Express in the 90's and had the strangest feeling come over me as I looked on the dozens of baby carts and suitcases visible in the hold. One of the guys on that dive took out a piece of luggage and opened it, and I just swam away, not wanting to even be near what felt like desecration. There have only been a couple of times I've felt like that on dives - both times on ships where people died. Not sure if it is self-induced, or something else...

Kevin.

 

[lizardland]

I think behave as you would on the surface. Kevin's example is a good one, you wouldn't open someone's suitcase at a car crash so why do it underwater? Where loss of life isn't so apparent, how would you behave in a graveyard? Do that.

It is a weird feeling. There is a plane crash site on the side of a mountain in Scotland where, if I remember right, about 10-15 US aircrew lost their lives. The bodies were removed but the crash site is still pretty much intact because of its remoteness. It's a very odd place, a very gloomy feel to it.

 

[markdol1]

Thats what i mean kevin,that feeling comes over you. I am not interested in taking anything i am just asking if you are tresspasing in a place with the massive volume of remains.Do you belong there?

 

[heyydude]

Thats what i mean kevin,that feeling comes over you. I am not interested in taking anything i am just asking if you are tresspasing in a place with the massive volume of remains.Do you belong there?

I would imagine it's like climbing Everest, and having to walk past the remains of other climbers who didn't make it. I'm not very religious, but I did say a silent prayer for the people who died in the wreck... What I find interesting is that "time-proximity" affects how much we might feel about being in or around such a wreck or site. I've been on WWII wrecks where people died, but never felt the same level of "weird" as on the Salem Express. Like finding the skeletons of some ancient people - the excitement of discovery probably outweighs the feeling that you're desecrating a grave (Richard III comes to mind for you guys in the UK).

When I go, you guys feel free to strap me to the mast of some sunken ship with my full scuba outfit on for future generations to gawk at... Just make sure I'm wearing a rEvo or a Meg... :devilban:

Kevin.

 

[al marvelli]

I feel like taking people's stuff is no Bueno.

But parts of the ship are ok.

People have family to mourn but once the ship is lost its gone.

Unless we bring back something to remember.

Maybe I'm just weird, but I'm not having a rB strapped to me for eternity.

No matter the brand.

Marv

 

[Garth]

I would imagine it's like climbing Everest, and having to walk past the remains of other climbers who didn't make it. I'm not very religious, but I did say a silent prayer for the people who died in the wreck... What I find interesting is that "time-proximity" affects how much we might feel about being in or around such a wreck or site. I've been on WWII wrecks where people died, but never felt the same level of "weird" as on the Salem Express. Like finding the skeletons of some ancient people - the excitement of discovery probably outweighs the feeling that you're desecrating a grave (Richard III comes to mind for you guys in the UK).

When I go, you guys feel free to strap me to the mast of some sunken ship with my full scuba outfit on for future generations to gawk at... Just make sure I'm wearing a rEvo or a Meg... :devilban:

Kevin.

Haha!!! That post ended well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mark Chase]

Treat war grave wrecks like you would visiting any other battlefield, military cemetery or infamous location- with reverence and respect, take photos but no trinkets.

We farm over the Somme and walk our dog's along the beaches of Normandy- you can't avoid somewhere forever, just don't be an arse about it.

Spot on

ATB

Mark

 

[Mark Chase]

When I go, you guys feel free to strap me to the mast of some sunken ship with my full scuba outfit on for future generations to gawk at... Just make sure I'm wearing a rEvo or a Meg... :devilban:

Kevin.

Better if you wore a Hammer head mate

The rEvo or meg would probably get nicked

ATB

Mark