Blatenly stolen from the Canadian Press:
A Quebec diver has finally recieved an export permit enabling him to sell some artifacts from Canada's deadliest marine disaster.
Canadian collectors had until Dec. 19/02 to buy the collection and when none came forward , Philiipe Beaudry was granted the federal permit over the Christmas period to allow him to sell the 500 pieces in the United States. The objects, which include brass ornaments and fine china, were taken from the Empress of Ireland, which went down in 50 metres of water in teh St. Lawrence River near Rimouski, about 330 km NE of Quebec City, on May 29, 1914. More than 1,000 were killed.
An American purchaser plans to add the items to his hard hat diving museum in Florida. Beaudry, who says he spent $250,000 during 30 years of dives to recover the object. The Pointe-au-Pere museum near Rimouski said it offered Beaudry $350,000. The American sale is reported to be worth 1.5 million USD."
Wow - this really burns me.........
SS