Warbird Information Exchange

... in an attempt to recover the ship's bell. Happening NOW (Thursday, August 23 2012).

Get progress updates via Paul Allen's Twitter feed here ...

https://twitter.com/PaulGAllen

And why are they doing this???

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Cheers,
Peter

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My understanding is that the bell (if/when recovered) will go to the Royal Navy Museum in Portsmouth as a tangible memorial to the battlecruiser and the 1,415 men lost with her.

Because it's a wonderful idea ...

More specific, because the Hood's bell serves a better purpose on public display for future generations to see and reflect on the sacrifices of the many hundreds of Royal Navy service members who gave their lives on that ship so you and I didn't grow up speaking another language. And also because P Allen (his boat anyway) chose to participate in the bell's recovery which for what most of us have an interest in (Warbirds) I wouldn't oppose to him pretty much getting involved in anything he wants. His track record seems a very good one IMHO.

I wish them best of luck.

M

My Scottish grandfather, Archie Galbraith, was an electrician by trade and worked on Hood (while in the shipyards at Belfast, I think - but I could be wrong). After emigrating to the USA in 1926-1927, Archie eventually ended up working for Chance Vought and later Pratt & Whitney. In his effects I found a photo of the XSB2U-1, but I'm not certain if he worked on it.

Sorry to get off subject - but references to Hood always make me think of the grandfather that I never knew.

Back on subject - it's great to see an effort underway to remember and honor the crew.

Sounds like a very interesting adventure. Good for him. BTW, how deep is the wreck?

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

You can say what you want about P Allen ... but .... "The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said US philanthropist Paul G Allen had offered to recover the bell at no cost to the British state".

That's a class act offer.

Because the MoD won't ...and can't afford to even if they wanted to.

In our current political climate with class warfare being offered by various politicians, it's good to see another act where the well-off fund projects that others can't or governments won't.
Mr. Weeks, Mr. Jackson, Mr Yeagen, Mr. Allen all come to mind in the aviation world alone.
Think of that the next time some "have not" want's to behead the rich.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

+1 ... I applaud certain members of the 1% as long as you've earned it, don't flaunt it and don't foolishly waste it on garbage.

2,800 meters (9,200 feet)

The HMS Hood Association has a page dedicated to the expedition on their website ...

http://www.hmshood.com/association/archive/specevents/bell2012.htm

Sounds a lot like grave robbing to me.

I have a serious question. At what point does grave robbing become archeology?

Highly unlikely the case here and a quick google search can help answer your serious question.

"Archaeology doesn't always mean the contents of the grave are taken away. That which investigates, records, but leaves in place never becomes grave robbing. Depends on the motive. Grave robbing is done so that the contents are sold for money and no research or intellectual capital is generated". And more importantly if the vast majority of decendents of a sunken ship's crew in this case give full support for any type of recovery there would be little concern for robbery.

Much more to read on your question on the link below as well as many other forum discussions if your interested, as well as good information with the HMS Hood Association.

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/sho ... p?t=543415

http://www.hmshood.com/

It still looks to me like they are digging through the grave of 1,415 men to get a souvenier. This clearly isn't archeology, it's just plain grave robbing.

Howard Carter emptying out King Tut's tomb started out as archeology, it sure didn't end that way.