FILM OF LUSITANIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1936, Page 8

FILM OF LUSITANIA

BROADCASTS OF WORK When operations are resumed this summer on the attempt to salvage the Lusitania, off the coast of Cork, a considerable proportion of the cost is likely to be underwritten by American film and radio interests (says the London Sunday Times"). The Lusitania, sunk by the German submarine U2O in May. 1915, lies at a depth of 300 feet off the Old Head of Kinsale.

Negotiations between the Argonaut Salvage Corporation, the Scottish company which began the attempt, last year, and the American concerns in question have been in progress for some months. If agreement is definitely reached it will provide the salvage company with powerful financial resources enabling the work to be resumed on a much more ambitious settle than formerly.

Although approached on several occasions, American film interests withheld their backing because they were rot convinced that satisfactory pictures could be taken underwater at the depth at which the Lusitania lies.

Now. however, it is stated that a one-man submarine bell lias been invented for use in depths down to 2.000 ft. It is claimed that this and other modern devices will enable deep-water scones to be taken which will be photographically good. Ji the link with the American film and radio interests is achieved, broadcasts would be made from the salvage vessel and possibly from me diviiigbell working on the wreck itself. From the American point of view the broadcasts and films of the operations would have an added interest in that the actual salvaging would establish once and lor all if the big liner carried munitions, as alleged by Germany. Ir was the sinking of the ship which was genera ll.v regarded as having influenced America's decision to enter the Great War.

Before diving operations were suspended last November, Captain Russell and Mr. Al. Fitzpatrick, the salvage expert aboard (lie salvage ship Orpliir, stated that I lie wreck had been definitely located after a three months' search.