Titanic Meets Das Boot

All a matter of time, and there'll be a documentary or two, and the next thing you know, Leo DiCaprio will be slated for a starring role. The ill-fated Titanic has become heavily romanticized, thanks to Hollywood, and now we're about to get the Lusitania.

F. Gregg Bemis has been trying since 1968 to get permission to dive and salvage the grand ocean liner that was sunk by a German torpedo in 1915. His dream is about to come true. Somewhere off the coast of Kinsale, Mr. Bemis will launch his operation to search for mythical treasures.

Historians would like to know if the Lusitania was indeed carrying wartime munitions from the US to England, as was rumored at the time. Sinking a passenger ship, thus causing the death of 1200 people, created an uproar that was directed at Germany, firing up strong anti-Kraut sentiments that may have pushed the US further away from neutrality. Hence, the conspiracy theorists would suggest that the sinking was a set-up by the wily Allies, but in the absence of hard evidence, no one can say with certainty.

Mr. Bemis is over the moon with his license to dive on the Lusitania. An earlier salvage operation, back in 1982, brought up a few odds and ends like the ship's bell, some propellers and a few pieces of silverware. He's not saying anything, but there are those who think that the gentleman is looking for some other reputed artifacts that are far more valuable than a fork with the Lusitania's crest.

One of the lost passengers on the last voyage was Hugh Lane, who may or may not have been carrying a few priceless works of art. A painting by Monet and two by Rubens are said to have been on board, sealed in lead containers to protect them from the elements. And what of the jewels and assorted paraphernalia in the purser's safe? Very Titanic-ish, this quest for mysterious riches. Bemis is not expecting to find a treasure chest filled with gold, of course, as the transport of gold overseas during war time would be rather foolish. Still, the expedition is expected to focus on the purser's office, the first class suites, and then they can take retrieve a few nuts and bolts.

A brief look-around by the Cork Sub-Aqua Club last summer found some .303 bullets, but they were listed on the ship's manifest and there was no surprise there. Perhaps Mr. Bemis will explore the hold a bit more thoroughly, to ascertain the cause of the explosion that went off about twenty minutes after the torpedo hit the ship. If there were stores of war materiel on board, and Mr. Bemis were to find the evidence, it would clear up some mysteries and put to rest a highly debated theory.

The possibilities for Hollywood are endless in this particular saga. There's espionage and intrigue, innocent passengers sacrificed for the Great War, and one cannot forget the grand love story that some screenwriter could fabricate. Right now, Mr. Bemis is trying to raise $3 million to fund his expedition. Surely there's a big studio that would like to contribute, in exchange for the movie rights. Considering the success of Titanic, it sounds like an absolute bargain.