Tim, thats sort of what I was thinking. The loss of Amelia and Fred, even thought tragic, really didnt have any other historical benefit to aviation--unless they werr to have landed on Howland. They would have proven the long distance navgiation over water would have been possible in 1937. several years later, the US was at war with Japan, and flying over some of the same water that she was.
The Titanic and Bismark reference was for the hope that Woods Hole, or the others with the capabilities would step forwars and take a look. I mean finding the Titanic was a big deal--a 900 foot ship at 12,000 feet in the ocean----that is a najor accomplishment. So, looking for the Electra, even though smaller, in presumably shallower water, to me is about the same thing.
Now, if the Electra isnt there, then we have the excavations on Niki--but I think the plane proves she was there--at least on July 2,1937.
Tom