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Archaeologist claims $309 million dollars in damages in Confederate submarine Hunley lawsuit
(Charleston-AP) May 18, 2005 - Underwater archaeologist E. Lee Spence says he suffered $309 million dollars in damages because the discovery of the Confederate submarine Hunley was credited to author Clive Cussler.
Court documents show the figure was discussed during a deposition Spence gave in federal lawsuits arising from the discovery of the Hunley ten years ago. Spence says he wants a jury to award him everything they think he's lost because Cussler got credit for the discovery.

Cussler's lawyer, John Lay Junior, says the figure is "ludicrous."

The trial has been delayed until at least August. Cussler requested the delay based on his health and the need to review Spence's claim. He recently had open heart surgery. The submarine was raised in 2000 and is being preserved in North Charleston. It was the first in history to sink an enemy warship. It's still not clear why the submarine sank shortly after attacking the Housatonic.

More lawsuits!!! That's what's wrong with this country now, too much litigation!!!!

I wonder how he came up with the figure-$309,000,000.00. I can't see where this discovery-wonderful as it is-is worth that much money. What claim does this archeologist have on the Hunley anyway?

Spence stayed in a mental institution last year or the year before because he was found to be mentally incompetent to stand trial in a suit Clive brought against him. This suit will most likely be thrown out because Spence is a bitter old man who can't get it through his head he did NOT find the Hunley first.

Doesn't he EVER stop? If you search the Simon Says forum, you'll find him there.... three guesses what was his board name... (Hint it starts with H)

Lawsuits. Lawsuits. Does it ever stop? This is definetly the most ridiculous one I've ever heard of. If I recall, Spence wasn't even the first to find it. Maybe I'm wrong though.

Spence is a very intelligent man.

Of course, the crazy guy found living under a bridge in an electrical locker here in Chicago a few months ago had a masters degree.

Sometimes, the smarter they are, the crazier they fall.

The jist of Spence's claim is that he believes he found the Hunley first. The problem is, he has no proof and he could never find it again.

I could claim I was the first to step foot on Mars.

And I could then live under a bridge or be put in the nut house for a spell....

ahhh lawsuits

I'm tired of lawsuits and crazy people and especially crazy people filing lawsuits...

Can I get an Amen?!? th:

AMEN!!! :lol:

Should have been done by Arbitration, not by Lawsuit!!!! Lawyers are never a solution.

AMEN!!!!! th:

Lock him back up!!!! AMEN th: