It is not appropriate to try to do fundraising for the sinking of a boat we don't own unless we have the support of the owners. Bishop Museum knows what their options are. And sinking it near-shore is not a zero dollar option. They will incur greater costs to ready it for a near-shore sinking than they would to scuttle it at sea. Not only would they have to pay for the costs to get the boat ready, they are paying everyday, a substantial amount of money for slip fees, insurance costs and are running a substantial risk of the boat sinking right where it is it at, which would be disastrously costly.
It cost Atlantis $350K to sink the Carthaginian. It was costing its owners $50K a year to maintain it and it was roughly only a third of the size of the Falls of Clyde.
If Bishop Museum gives this boat up, as you say, just whom do they give it up to? Do you have someone in mind willing and able to pay a slip fee, the insurance, the fee to haul it of its current slip, etc and takeover full responsibility for it until it can be legally disposed of???? Furthermore, Bishop is not going to turn it over to just anyone lest they be accused of being irresponsible either legally or ethically in their handling of the boat’s disposal. They are a non-profit organization and as such, they hold their reputation in high regard. Whoever they turn it over to would need to have the resources available already to deal with it.
With regards to the clearance of the masts, you are overlooking the fact that this is a sailing ship that has quite a bit of draft below the water's surface, in addition to the part of the hull that sits above water and the masts. Bishop Museum knows the specs of their boat and it currently is not meeting the USCG requirements for a near-shore sinking. The site that is being considered for a near-shore sinking is in 120’ of water. If she sinks upright she will rest only 20’ below the surface at the top of her masts. USCG’s requirement is 40’ below the surface.
I’m certainly no expert on sinking a boat, but I’ve seen a number of videos of some that have been done on the sinking of the Oriskany and some of those in Canada’s artificial reef project. Just exactly how the boat lands on the bottom is something that cannot entirely be controlled. Basically, the only control they have is to cut a bunch of holes above water and set charges in other places where they plan to blow it out to possibly obtain the desired result. Or they pump water in after creating a number of holes. Either way, just how it rests after sinking is still not a sure thing. I’ve never seen them use lift bags and I would think the dangers involved in doing so would create a substantial risk. The more risk I’m sure would likely increase the cost of the sinking.
The boat has already been cleaned by Panko for a deep sea scuttling. Whether or not it will meet State Department of Health requirements for a near-shore sinking remains to be seen. Should it need further cleaning, I really don't know what that would entail and would likely require professionals. We're not talking about mopping and dusting here, folks!
Bishop Museum is currently not willing to start fundraising for the sinking of the boat when they are trying to sell it. Some of that unwillingness may be due in part to the fact that the boat is on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of that, they may have to follow a certain legal path that is unknown to us and perhaps may be a factor in their decision making process. It is an NHL (National Historical Landmark) and as such, they probably have to make a legitimate honest attempt to sell it first before consideration for withdrawal is given.
Trying to raise money without the support of the owners may create an appearance of impropriety that may impede our goals. In addition, without a legitimate recipient of the donations, fundraising ability will be limited. Bishop, being the owner, and already a non-profit organization is the proper recipient and we need their support.
As I have said, sinking the boat near-shore is a considerably more favorable option to Bishop Museum than a deep sea scuttling if it can be done timely and without huge incurrence of additional costs and they know what needs to be done. I think it best that we keep our plans limited to a letter writing campaign for now and those of just how to quickly mobilize a fundraising effort once Bishop Museum’s plan aligns with ours which hopefully it will after September 1st.
