We'll, I for one wasnt implying that anyone said anything. I started this thread after reseacrching Ric's landing theory, which, by the way, is excellant. I tried to put myself in their position at the end of the flight, as to what I would do, or not do. I think we all believe that the Electra is submerged just off the reef. If found, that would answer and enormous amount of questions, while opening up an enormous amount of others.
It was not my intent to start any infighting amongst the members; all of you which I have alot of respect for. My intent was to stimulate some thinking by those of you that are ALOT smarter than I am about these things. We can all play Monday morning quarterback, and second guess why things were, or weren't done. Quite contrary to my intent.
Ric and TIGHAR have put a tremendous amount of effort into solving this mystery. As I recall, this effort started with a theory. It may not end with the solution that we think, but the amount of evidence, and research will be the template for other generations to come. TOGETHER, we can ALL contibute to the cause, in our own way. Financial, theoretical, technical, however we can, we have all made this forum, and the search for Amelia better.
From a personal note----as a young boy, I can remember reading about her in a book by a certain CBS news reporter in the mid 60's. I can recall talking with my parents about the goings on in 1937 at the time frame around the disapperance. The search that took place, vs. the one that didnt, etc. It wasnt until a few years ago that Ric and TIGHAR perked my interest in Amelia again. This story has passed through a couple of generations now, and hopefully we will have the entire true story of what happened on that morning in July, 1937. Its a story that I hope to be able to pass on to my grandkids. It isn't necessarily about the answer to a 74 year old mystery. It's about setting a goal and working towards a conclusion. Ric and TIGHAR have reaffimed that.
So, If I've offended anyone with my crazy ideas about finding the Electra, or parts of it, I appologise. For me, its a means to an end. Thank you Ric!
Tom Swearengen