Difference in Shadow Divers and The Last Dive

[coreypenrose]

what remains on my mind is what a terrible writer Bernie is.

So true. His writing makes my head hurt.

 

[String]

If it makes any difference, the 2 hour "Hitlers lost sub" programme on TV which has first hand accounts from the people involved including Kohler and Chatterton states that the boy was airlifted *first* but the father was also taken.

They wanted just the heli to take the boy who was still alive and not waste time lifting a corpse.

 

[Don Burke]

What I just don't understand though is, assuming Bernie is incorrect (which is just a guess) how did he get it so wrong? I mean the accounts of what chatterton said are EXACTLY opposite. Its kinda hard to get things that wrong.

He was relying on reports from people who were there.

When the adrenaline is flowing, memory can be a little strange.

 

[fairybasslet]

He is a very approachable and down to earth person. He is very unassuming and seems to be a very caring person. I never once saw one hint of egotism in him. It was the same way with Richie Kohler.

Absolutely my experience too. I talked with Richie at length at Beneath the Sea and he was very generous with his time and knowledge. Not that I would ever want to dive like he does, but he did offer advice about beginning wreck dives in NJ. John was just as nice and unassuming as Richie. I wanted to get my book signed at BTS, but forgot it. They said they would be there on Sunday, but by the time I got back there, they had already left. I emailed John and he found out his schedule from his publisher and sent it to me. I told him that I would come see them at the library in New Cannaan, Ct. and that I was bringing my non-diving mom. You know, when I introduced myself to him, he looked over at my mom, and said "Oh, this must be your mother." I mean, he remembered. LOL! They really do downplay any "heroics" and are just a couple of regular guys. If you look at my profile, you'll see a photo of me with them taken at their presentation. Robert Kurson, the author, was also there, and the three of them spoke. If they are ever in your neighborhood, I highly recommend your going to see them. You won't regret it.

 

[Dive-aholic]

This was discussed about a year ago here in another thread. I think only Chatterton might be able to answer the question, if he can even remember. It has been 13 years. At the time of the other thread, I e-mailed Bernie and questioned this discrepancy. Based on his response, I'm more inclined to believe the version in the Last Dive. Bernie knew the Rouses. He dove with them. He dove with a lot of the divers that were on the Seeker that day. In his e-mail to me he stated he received a lengthy account of the incident written a few days after by one of the divers on the boat. He also stated that another diver on the boat spoke bitterly to him about factual errors in Shadow Divers.

My opinion, FWIW, Shadow Divers was written by a journalist who went out and interviewed people he didn't know to write a book to entertain. The Last Dive is a book written by a diver to help purge his soul of some issues he had, not only with the death of two close friends, but also of his own personal choices. I tend to believe Bernie.

 

[Paco]

I wonder which version will be in the upcoming movie.

 

[Diesel298]

I wonder which version will be in the upcoming movie.

i would hope the shadow divers version... being thats the movie...
but more important.. i hope the true version....
what will probally happen tho is the version that sells...
io think that bernie was adding the element of a little extra drama to help his book.... but thats just me

 

[StSomewhere]

The movie is being named "Shadow Divers" not "The Last Dive".

 

[Diesel298]

speaking of the movie.. anyone have any new rumors/info?

 

[fairybasslet]

speaking of the movie.. anyone have any new rumors/info?

All I know is that Ridley Scott is directing and William Broyles Jr (Apollo 13) is writing the screenplay.