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Andy in West Oz · 13-08-2007, 02:08 AM

HMAS 'Sydney' claim raises treasure hunt fears - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

There is concern international privateers and relic hunters will seek to profit from what is believed to be the wreck of the warship HMAS Sydney.
A group of amateur researchers claim to have found the wreck off the coast of Western Australia, near Carnarvon.
The Sydney was sunk off the WA coast during World War II, killing the entire crew of 645.
Former Western Australian MP Philip Pendal chaired a select committee into shipwrecks off the WA coast and says the Federal Government must move to authenticate and protect the site.
He says the interests of the finders must also be protected.
"We've seen an appalling list of cases in the past 50 years where the finders of important shipwrecks have been treated badly and I don't think we have to have that repeated," he said.
The men involved are refusing to speak to the ABC and most other media outlets.
It is understood they are attempting to secure payment or sponsorship in relation to the find.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson says his department is in contact with the researchers.
He says while the results so far are encouraging, no one can be certain until the Navy has conducted a survey of the wreck.
"I'm advised by the Chief of Defence that we can have a Naval survey ship examine the wreck in some detail within the next week and until such time as we've actually ascertained certainly whether it is Sydney or isn't Sydney, I don't think that we should unfairly raise the expectations of Australia and particularly the families of those whose lives were lost," he said.

13-08-2007, 02:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
Andy in West Oz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: House of Bedfords, Perth, Western Australia Posts: 760	HMAS 'Sydney' claim raises treasure hunt fears - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) There is concern international privateers and relic hunters will seek to profit from what is believed to be the wreck of the warship HMAS Sydney. A group of amateur researchers claim to have found the wreck off the coast of Western Australia, near Carnarvon. The Sydney was sunk off the WA coast during World War II, killing the entire crew of 645. Former Western Australian MP Philip Pendal chaired a select committee into shipwrecks off the WA coast and says the Federal Government must move to authenticate and protect the site. He says the interests of the finders must also be protected. "We've seen an appalling list of cases in the past 50 years where the finders of important shipwrecks have been treated badly and I don't think we have to have that repeated," he said. The men involved are refusing to speak to the ABC and most other media outlets. It is understood they are attempting to secure payment or sponsorship in relation to the find. Defence Minister Brendan Nelson says his department is in contact with the researchers. He says while the results so far are encouraging, no one can be certain until the Navy has conducted a survey of the wreck. "I'm advised by the Chief of Defence that we can have a Naval survey ship examine the wreck in some detail within the next week and until such time as we've actually ascertained certainly whether it is Sydney or isn't Sydney, I don't think that we should unfairly raise the expectations of Australia and particularly the families of those whose lives were lost," he said. __________________ Cheers Andy Apres moi le deluge But there are deeds that should not pass away....And names that must not wither - Byron HMAS Sydney II - lost with all hands and waiting to be found