MARLIN, PECORELLI AND THE HUNLEY:  SPENCE RESPONDS       

Email sent to CSSHLHUNLEY CLUB in response to Article “Hunley technology impresses Marlin”
To: csshlhunley@yahoogroups.com
From: shipwrex@aol.com
Re: [CSS H L  HUNLEY] Hunley technology impresses Marlin

By E. Lee Spence
shipwrex@aol.com

I wish I had had the opportunity to shake Sterling Marlin's hand. I have been a fan of his for years. The first race car driver I ever heard of as a child in the 1950s was Sterling Moss. So, when Sterling Marlin came along, I paid attention to his career right from the start. By chance, about six years ago, while I was on a business trip to London, I happened to meet Sterling Moss and wife just as they returned from a race and I was invited into their home.
It was a real pleasure. It would have been an honor and a pleasure to have met Sterling Martin and to have been able to talk with him and tell him about the Hunley. I think I should have had that opportunity. I did not.

As far as Harry Pecorelli being "the diver, who was the first person to touch the Hunley," I had published my map showing the Hunley's correct location prior to Harry's diving on the wreck. And. I think most of the people on this board are aware of my claim to have first found and touched the Hunley in 1970.

The boat captain the day I found the Hunley was Joe Porcelli who had just gotten out of the Green Berets. Jim Batey, who then ran a commercial diving business, and a couple of other people (I believe it was Ron Reneau and Mike Douglas) went out the next day and/or the day after and dove on it. Joe did likewise. In fact, I believe Joe actually dove on it twice. Jim and Joe gave signed statements to that effect years ago. Troy Clanton, III, who was aboard boat the day of find also gave a signed statement. Unfortunately, Mike and Ron are long deceased. The next time I went out it was buried. Mike Douglas and David McGeehee helped me relocated it with a magnetometer, but it was still buried. David signed a statement about that years ago also. Captain Jack Parker helped me relocate the Hunley in preparation for my 1980 lawsuit claiming the Hunley. He signed two statements relative to that. Dr. Mark Newell, who was the official director of the Hunley Search Project (even according to NUMA), had initiated the project and has gone on record that he used my maps, which I had furnished to the State Archaeologist years earlier, and my other data to have the expedition locate the target in 1994, and which was dug up and proved to be the Hunley in 1995. Dr. Newell (mmnewell@yahoo.com) has stated that he believes I found it first and that what the 1994/95 Hunley Project did was to "verify" that it was indeed the Hunley.

I donated my rights to the submarine to the State in 1995, but for well over a year I didn't visit the Conservation lab because I had been told in front of witness that I would be arrested if I ever showed up there.

When I finally did go, I was watched as though I was an unwelcome guest or a threat to the security of the place. When I went up and talked with the man keeping a close eye on me (who happened to be a man I had always respected), I was told in no uncertain terms that my presence there was making a lot of people "uncomfortable." It was a very unpleasant experience for me and my guests. Also, I did not like the fact that when I paid, I got what I thought was a receipt, but I had to give it back to them before we could see the sub. I am used to getting receipts. I paid by check, so that will have to suffice, but avoiding the obvious accounting issues; I would like to have the receipt or ticket (even torn in half) as a souvenir.

So, not only have I not gotten the honors I deserve. I have been threatened, insulted, and humiliated, while others get treatment, privileges and honors that I believe should have gone to me for my original discovery of the Hunley.

I have no doubt that Harry deserves credit for his work. He does. From what I have heard he is a very competent and accomplished person. He has unquestionably been a valuable asset and has helped save the Hunley. I do think he deserves honors and respect, but I found the Hunley first and I think I deserve recognition, honors and respect for both my 1970 discovery of the wreck and my 1995 donation of the Hunley to the State.

Sincerely,
Lee