[Hatteras]

Spain and France can stick it. If they wanted the stuff so badly, they should have been over here looking for it. Instead, they let others do the work and than step forward only if there's plenty of cash involved.

I can not believe the U.S. Supreme Court capitulated in the Juno case.

Where have you gone, Mel Fischer...

[DJ Frisat]

Mel died a couple of years ago, after a long series of court battles over his treasure finds. The gubberment finally pinned a suspicious 'conterfeit doubloon' rap on him and got him, kind of a revenge for an earlier defeat.

The state of Florida really tried to screw him. As I recall, when he first found a wreck with a particularly vast fortune, he offered them a cut and they refused. Later they came after him, demanding it all. It kept him in court for a long, long time.

Money-grubbing bastards. They let these brave and determined people do all the work and then come in and try to steal the proceeds after it's been salvaged. And that's what it is - stealing. If you want the money, then you do the work.

Please forgive minor errors on details -- saw a show about this a couple of months ago and the memory fails from time to time...

[Blood of Tyrants]

I am a firm believer of finders keepers in this case. If something has been lying around for 250 years and I find it, it is mine.

[hchutch]

Simple rule: If you lose it underwater and don't try to retrieve it as soon as possible, or if you toss it overboard and someone else picks it up, you should not whine.

I would hold the U.S. Navy to the same standard if they pushed a plane off a carrier, BTW. No whining if you don't pick it up ASAP.

War graves are a different matter, but in this case, Spain and France are SOL.