|
Featured Sections Headlines Opinion Obituaries Sports Crime Blotter Stolen Property Happenings Country Cooking Wandering Minds Classifieds Birthdays Off The Wall Cartoons On The Record Archives Church Listings   Featured Columns Dr. Myers Carl Langley Editor's Column Registered Sex Offenders for Edgefield County 2005 Crime Stats Video & Audio Updates Audio Archive (Testing) Video Archive Contact us Contact Info or E-mail the Editor Phone: 803-634-0964 day 803-279-5041 eve 803-279-8943 fax Mail to EdgefieldDaily.com PO Box 972 Edgefield SC 29824 School System EC District Office School Board Strom Thurmond Charter Schools Fox Creek Private Schools Wardlaw Academy Public Offices Edgefield County Edgefield Johnston Trenton Political State and Federal Legislative Contacts Local Political Parties Republican Party Democrat Party Chamber of Commerce Edgefield County Chamber Historical Edgefield Genealogical Society News links Edgefield Advertiser The Citizen News Aiken Standard North Augusta Star The State Augusta Chronicle Atlanta Journal United Press Associated Press FOX News Reuters CNS News WorldNet Daily Newsmax Drudge Report GoogleNews Yahoo!News New York Times New York Post Los Angeles Times Washington Times Washington Post |
  Discoverer of Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley drops lawsuit over discovery web posted August 26, 2008 CHARLESTON, SC – In a move signaling an end to over a decade of legal and public conflict, famed explorer and author Clive Cussler instructed his legal team to request dismissal of a lawsuit against discredited fortune hunter Lee Spence on Friday. A motion for voluntary dismissal was filed in federal court with the District of South Carolina, Charleston division. Cussler’s lawsuit seeks no damages, nor did he ever seek damages, but is intended to disprove false claims of discovery by Spence. “It is apparent that further litigation and continued affirmation of Mr. Cussler’s role in the discovery of the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley is unnecessary,” said lead attorney Ric Tapp. “The court has now barred Mr. Spence’s claims and the public, the Hunley Commission and the National Park Service have expressly credited NUMA with the discovery of the H. L. Hunley. At this time, Mr. Cussler has determined that additional public verification of his discovery is unnecessary and will needlessly add to the court’s already full docket.” Tapp continued, “Mr. Cussler issued his directive in recognition of the court’s favorable rulings; a desire to avoid further discrediting of the defendant; and his awareness of the fragility of Mr. Spence’s health. Therefore, Mr. Cussler has instructed that we request a voluntary dismissal of the pending litigation.” In 1995 Clive Cussler and his National Underwater & Marine Agency team located the H. S. Hunley off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. In 2000 the H. L. Hunley and its crew was raised from the Atlantic Ocean and transported to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center for research and restoration. Clive Cussler has authored or co-authored more than 34 books and is the founder of the National Underwater & Marine Agency (NUMA). NUMA is a non-profit foundation dedicated to preserving America’s maritime history and is credited with the discovery of more than 60 ships. Cussler resides in Arizona and remains actively involved with conservation efforts on the H.L. Hunley. Cussler said in a prepared statement released Saturday, “Being one who is not, by nature, litigious – I am pleased with this step toward ending the long, unnecessary conflict with Mr. Lee Spence. Though I commend Mr. Spence’s perseverance, it has been proven time and again that he did not locate the H.L. Hunley. In fact, both the S.C. Hunley Commission and the National Park Service have rejected Mr. Spence’s claims and have expressly credited NUMA with the discovery. His fruitless attempts to revise history through litigation and the media have, instead, served as a distraction from what is truly an American success story … the recovery and conservation of a technological marvel! The court’s judgment is unequivocally in our favor; the general public is informed of the circumstances that led to the discovery of the H. L. Hunley; and there is precious little to be proven or gained by obtaining another court ruling against Mr. Spence. Also, it is my understanding that Mr. Spence is in poor physical and financial health and I have no desire to add to these burdens. That is why I seek an end to this unfortunate saga. I am keenly aware that by requesting dismissal of the lawsuit Mr. Spence is provided a new forum for airing his false claims. I strongly encourage him to forgo this impulse and move forward. As for myself, I am actively involved with ongoing conservation efforts on the H. L. Hunley and I am highly supportive of plans for the construction of an educational museum and learning center. I look forward to implementing the improved methods and techniques learned through discovery of the H. L. Hunley on future expeditions.” ©
Copyright 2008
EdgefieldDaily.com All
original material is property of
EdgefieldDaily.com and cannot be reproduced, rewritten or redistributed
without the expressed written permission of Edgefield Daily.com
|
 Above Ad not linked  Above
ad not linked
  Space Reserved PB Additional Ad locations available Contact Us  Parting Shots A new book by Columnist Carl Langley -------  JAM Straight Customs  NOTICE:
We still need recipes for Cooking Section WEBNEWS – Send in your favorite or favorites. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send in. With the Editor’s wife being the driving force behind her own personal section, help her create an exchange of local favorites, home cooking, grilling, sauces, and deserts! Send in your submissions here. |
