Blogging on Shipwrecks by Dr. E. Lee Spence

The Civil War submarine “H.L. Hunley” is important because it was the first submarine in the history of the entire world to sink an enemy ship. Who discovered it is important because the discovery of the “Hunley” has been described by government officials as the most important underwater archaeological discovery of the 20th century. I (E. Lee Spence) discovered the “Hunley” in 1970 (and I have lots of documentation to prove it). Unfortunately, there are some others, for reasons that they should explain, who claim that fiction writer Clive Cussler and NUMA found the wreck in 1995. I don’t dispute that an expedition funded in part by NUMA and/or Cussler dug it up in 1995, but I absolutely disagree that what they did was discovery. I disagree because I had already published the wreck’s correct location and it was no longer lost to be discovered.

Novelist Clive Cussler’s books frequently carry his claim that he and his organization NUMA have discovered over 60 historic shipwrecks. Its Spence’s opinion that Cussler’s claims are simply not supported by the facts. Read this and see if you agree.

The following is an email sent February 27, 2001, from underwater archaeologist Dr. Mark M. Newell to me (Dr. E. Lee Spence). Dr. Newell was the official director of the expedition that has been widely credited with the discovery of the Hunley. Dr. Newell’s expedition was partially funded by novelist Clive Cussler and many people mistakenly believe Cussler was the actual discoverer of the wreck. Dr. Newell clearly credits me with finding it first. I think the fact that Dr. Newell, as that expedition’s director, could try to claim credit for himself, but instead openly acknowledges my earlier work, speaks highly of his integrity and should give his words credibility. For convenience, I have placed Dr. Newell’s email headers at the end of this note.

This article gives a brief explanation and history of the Spanish coinage generally referred to as “Pieces of Eight,” which are commonly thought of as pirate treasure.

Dr. E. Lee Spence writes of his 1965 rescue of young boy in storm driven seas and his efforts to learn the boy’s identity and what became of him in later life. It is a true tale of Spence’s unusual premonition, his efforts to overcome his fears and the boy’s heroism.

The author, Dr. E. Lee Spence, is President of the Sea Research Society and Vice-President of the International Diving Institute. This article, including the entire section subtitled “Capitalism versus Socialism in Underwater Archaeology” are Dr. Spence’s personal thoughts and views on the ethics of selling artifacts from shipwrecks and do not necessarily represent the official views or positions of the above organizations. This article applies to shipwrecks in general, regardless of their age or the nationality of the country involved. It has been updated from Dr. Spence’s original 1994 paper through August of 2008.

Poor underwater visibility cannot always be conquered, but it can usually be tamed to some extent. By doing so the diver not only cuts down the risks, but also increases his productivity and enjoyment.

This article is about George Alfred Trenholm and my discovery and research proving he was the historical figure behind Margaret Mitchell’s fictional Rhett Butler in “Gone With The Wind.” Why literary scholars and other historians hadn’t seen the link previously still mystifies me, but the editors of “Life” magazine said I had “overwhelming evidence” and my discovery made international news. The following is a slightly edited and updated version of the first chapter of my book “Treasures of the Confederate Coast: the real Rhett Butler & Other Revelations” (Narwhal Press, 1995), © copyright 1995 by Edward Lee Spence. All rights reserved.

One day I plan to write and produce a documentary using Trenholm’s beautiful mansions, plantations and shipwrecks to better reveal the facts behind GWTW and the “real Rhett Butler.”

When I was a teenager, I read about and dreamed of finding the wreck of the Civil War steamer Georgiana. She had been lost on her maiden voyage while attempting to run past the United States naval blockading squadron at Charleston, South Carolina. I wanted to find her because I had read that she was the most powerful Confederate cruiser ever built. Even though we then lived no where near Charleston, I started researching everything I could find relating to the wreck. We moved to Charleston the summer after my Junior year of high school. I located her in 1966, but kept it a secret for several more years, eventually salvaging tons of valuable artifacts. South Carolina’s law on shipwrecks was passed as a result of my discovery and subsequent efforts to get the salvage rights to this wreck.

The steamer City of Vera Cruz was wrecked off Cape Canaveral, Florida, during a hurricane in 1880. Although the wreck became known to fisherman and divers it was not until it was researched and identified by the author (underwater archaeologist Dr. e. Lee Spence) that people learned the history and importance of this wreck.

Blogging on Shipwrecks by Dr. E. Lee Spence

The Discovery of the Hunley by Dr. E. Lee Spence

A Comment by Dr. E. Lee Spence on Dr. Clive E. Cussler and his Alleged Discoveries

Expedition’s Director Credits Spence with Discovery of the Hunley.

“Pieces of Eight” by Dr. E. Lee Spence

Ethics in Underwater Archaeology by Dr. E. Lee Spence

Recent Articles

The Discovery of the Hunley by Dr. E. Lee Spence

A Comment by Dr. E. Lee Spence on Dr. Clive E. Cussler and his Alleged Discoveries

Expedition’s Director Credits Spence with Discovery of the Hunley.

“Pieces of Eight” by Dr. E. Lee Spence

Mysterious rescue on Sullivan’s Island by Dr. E. Lee Spence

Ethics in Underwater Archaeology by Dr. E. Lee Spence

Coping With Zero Visibility

Discovery of the “real Rhett Butler” by Dr. E. Lee Spence

Discovery of the Georgiana by E. Lee Spence

Wreck of the SS City of Vera Cruz by Dr. E. Lee Spence