E. Lee Spence

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Edward Lee Spence, pioneer in underwater archaeology and an expert on shipwrecks and sunken treasure, Spence, an American, born in Germany in 1947, is also a published editor and author of non-fiction reference books; a magazine editor (Diving World, Atlantic Coastal Diver, Treasure, Treasure Diver, and Treasure Quest), and magazine publisher (ShipWrecks, Wreck Diver); and a published photographer. Spence was twelve when he found his first five shipwrecks.[1][2]

Dr. Spence's past work has been funded by such institutions as the Savannah Ships of the Sea Museum, the College of Charleston, the South Carolina Committee for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 1991 and '92, Spence served as Chief of Underwater Archaeology for San Andres y Providencia, a 40,000 square-mile Colombian owned archipelago in the western Caribbean. He has worked on the wrecks of Spanish galleons, pirate ships, Great Lakes freighters, modern luxury liners (cruise ships), Civil War blockade runners and submarines.[3]

Contents

[edit] International Diving Institute

Dr. Spence is a founder, owner and Vice President of the International Diving Institute, one of fewer than a dozen schools in North America that teaches and certifies commercial deep sea divers. [4]

[edit] Discovery & Donation of the Civil War submarine H. L. Hunley:

Spence first reported the discovery of the Civil War submarine Hunley in 1970.[5] In 1995 the discovery was independently verified by a combined South Carolina Institute of Anthropology and Archaeology (SCIAA) and National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) expedition directed by SCIAA underwater archaeologist Dr. Mark Newell and funded in part by novelist Clive Cussler.[6] Later the same year, at the official request of Senator Glenn F. McConnell (chairman), of the State of South Carolina Hunley Commission, Spence donated all of his rights to the wreck to the State.[7]

During their negotiations with the federal government on the future salvage and museum display of the wreck, South Carolina's strongest claim of ownership to the Civil War submarine Hunley was based on Spence's 1970 discovery of that vessel and his 1995 gift of his salvage rights to it to the State.

The Hunley has been described as the most important underwater archaeological discovery of the 20th century.[citation needed] The tiny sub and its contents have been valued at over $40,000,000 making Dr. Spence's donation one of the largest ever made to South Carolina.

Spence's claim to have discovered Hunley is disputed by adventure fiction writer Clive Cussler who claims his non-profit organization, NUMA, discovered it in 1995.[[1]] Both men have their supporters and have been credited by others in various books with the discovery. Although Spence first reported finding Hunley by accident in 1970 and mapped, within equipment tolerances and mapping standards of the time, what has since been shown to be its correct location,[citation needed] the first expedition to bring back conclusive proof in the form of photographic images was a 1994-1995 SCIAA expedition, directed by Dr. Mark Newell. That expedition was partially financed by Cussler and/or NUMA and is the primary basis of the Cussler/NUMA Hunley discovery claim. Newell has publicly acknowledged (in a radio interview[8] and in a sworn deposition[9] that he (Newell) relied, at least to some extent, on Spence's earlier work and credits Spence with the first actual discovery and the 1994-1995 SCIAA expedition with the verification.

[edit] Other Shipwreck Discoveries:

In addition to the Hunley, Spence has discovered numerous historically significant shipwrecks, including the SS Georgiana[citation needed] (said to have been the most powerful cruiser built by the Confederate States of America) [10] [11].

South Carolina's law protecting both the State's and the salvors' interests in shipwrecks was passed following Spence's discovery of the Georgiana and his company Shipwrecks Inc. was granted South Carolina State Salvage License #1.[citation needed]

Spence has salvaged over $50,000,000 in valuable artifacts[12] and has been responsible, through his archival research, for the location of the wrecks of the side-paddle-wheel steamers Republic[13] and Central America[14] [15] from which over one billion dollars in treasure has been recovered.[16]

[edit] Maps & Charts:

Spence is also a cartographer and has published a number of popular and archaeological (proximal, contour and conformant) maps and charts dealing with historical events, archaeology, shipwrecks and treasure.

  • Shipwrecks of Hilton Head & Vicinity chart by Lee Spence, (Shipwreck Press, Sullivan's Island, S.C., ©1980) OCLC: 15281285
  • Shipwrecks of Wreck Valley : [New York City and Long Island regions] chart by E. Lee Spence (Shipwreck Press, Sullivan's Island, SC, ©1990) OCLC: 40228884
  • Shipwrecks of the Civil War : Charleston, South Carolina, 1861-1865 map by E. Lee Spence, (Shipwreck Press, Sullivan's Island, S.C., ©1984) OCLC: 11214217
  • Spence's Chart of Shipwrecks of Charleston, S.C.: over 250 wrecks map by E. Lee Spence (Shipwreck Press, Sullivan's Island, S.C., ©1980) OCLC: 40228884
  • Gold Bug: Treasure Chart, Edgar A. Poe by E. Lee Spence, (Sullivan's Island, SC: E. Lee Spence, 1981) OCLC: 49829303
  • South Carolina Shipwrecks, 1520-1776 by E. Lee Spence (Charleston, S.C. : E. Lee Spence, ©1976) OCLC: 6270298

[edit] Degrees, Certifications, Memberships, Accreditations:

Spence graduated Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina in 1976, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an academic concentration in marine archaeology and won the Donald O. Bushman Award in cartography. His doctorate is a Doctor of Marine Histories (DMH) from Sea Research Society's College of Marine Arts.

Sidescan Sonar Operator - Klein Associates - 1989;
Shipwreck Consultant - Sea Research Society - 1972;
Open Water Diver - Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) - 1969;
Scuba Instructor - NASDS - 1967;
Commercial Diver (surface supplied air) - Palmetto Diving Association - 1966;
Scuba Diver - Florida Safety Council - 1963

Dr. Spence is a director and current president of the Sea Research Society and is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Military Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.

He has an honorable discharge from the United States Army Reserves and has served as Post Commander for Post #10 of the veteran's organization American Legion.

[edit] Bibliography

  • The Hunley: Submarines, Sacrifice & Success in the Civil War by Mark Ragan (Narwhal Press, Charleston/Miami, ©1995) [ISBN 1-886391-43-2]
  • A Look at South Carolina's Underwater Heritage, by E. Lee Spence (Nelson Southern Printing, Charleston, South Carolina, 1974 OCLC: 11121049
  • Treasures of the Confederate Coast: the "real Rhett Butler" & Other Revelations by Dr. E. Lee Spence, (Narwhal Press, Charleston/Miami, ©1995)[ISBN 1886391017] [ISBN 1886391009], OCLC: 32431590
  • Shipwreck Encyclopedia of the Civil War: South Carolina & Georgia, 1861-1865 by Edward Lee Spence (Sullivan's Island, S.C., Shipwreck Press, ©1991) OCLC: 24420089
  • Shipwrecks of South Carolina and Georgia : (includes Spence's List, 1520-1865) by E. Lee Spence, Sullivan's Island, S.C. (Sullivan's Island 29482, Sea Research Society, ©1984) OCLC 10593079
  • Shipwrecks, Pirates & Privateers: Sunken Treasures of the Upper South Carolina Coast, 1521-1865 by E. Lee Spence, (Narwhal Press, Charleston/Miami, ©1995) [ISBN 1-886391-07-6]
  • Spence's Guide to South Carolina : diving, 639 shipwrecks (1520-1813), saltwater sport fishing, recreational shrimping, crabbing, oystering, clamming, saltwater aquarium, 136 campgrounds, 281 boat landings by E. Lee Spence, (Nelson Southern Printing, Sullivan's Island, S.C.: Spence, ©1976) OCLC: 2846435
  • Wreck of the Georgiana, mystery ship of the Confederacy by E. Lee Spence, (Sullivan's Island, S.C. : Shipwreck Press, 1988) OCLC: 50414449
  • Shipwrecks of Charleston Harbor by E. Lee Spence (Sullivan's Island, SC : Shipwreck Press, 1980) OCLC: 6908900
  • Shipwrecks of the Era of the Revolution : South Carolina & Georgia, 1763-1783 by E. Lee Spence, (Sullivan's Island, SC : Shipwreck Press Inc., ©1991) OCLC: 39977318
  • Shipwrecks: "the magazine" edited by E Lee Spence, (Sullivan's Island, SC: Shipwreck Press, 1989-1991, Narwhal Press 1995-) OCLC: 20784612

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Diver Lee Spence", by Eugene Warner, Sandlapper magazine, (Columbia, SC), April, 1970, pp. 40-43
  2. ^ "Treasure Diver", by Katherine Hatch, Treasure World, (February-March, 1972), pp. 44, 45
  3. ^ Treasures of The Confederate Coast: the "Real Rhett Butler" & Other Revelations, by Dr. E. Lee Spence, (Narwhal Press, Charleston/Miami, 1995), "About the Author" by Charles King, pp. 515-517
  4. ^ http:www.International Diving Institute.com
  5. ^ 'Diver Thinks he's Found the Hunley' Charleston AP Wire story, The State, Columbia, SC, June 14, 1975
  6. ^ sworn affidavit on discovery of the Hunley by Dr. E. Lee Spence, submitted to Hunley Commission on February 1, 1997
  7. ^ The Hunley: Submarines, Sacrifice & Success in the Civil War by Mark Ragan (Narwhal Press, Charleston/Miami, 1995) p. ?
  8. ^ The Andy Thomas Radio Show, ?, 2001
  9. ^ Deposition of Mark Newell, day/month/year?
  10. ^ New York Times March 30, 1863,p.4, c.1-2
  11. ^ History of the Confederate States Navy From its Organization to the Surrender of its Last Vessel, by J. Thomas Scharf, (New York, New York, 1887), p.802
  12. ^ Treasures of The Confederate Coast: the "Real Rhett Butler" & Other Revelations, by Dr. E. Lee Spence, (Narwhal Press, Charleston/Miami, 1995), "About the Author" by Charles King, p. 517
  13. ^ ???
  14. ^ ???
  15. ^ ???
  16. ^ ???

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