Editor:

As most of you know by now, Hurricane Ike uncovered the wreck of a Civil War-era ship down on the beach near Fort Morgan. I, along with a bazillion other people, flocked down to the location to see the historical beauty. Imagine my distress to find a family whose father wantonly pulled iron ribs from the ship to keep while his young sons, ages approximately 8 and 7, picked up other iron pieces and beat on the old (and remarkably intact) wood of the ship.

Another adult man of their party saw fit to yack on his cell phone the entire time while resting his feet on the old wooden planks. And one of the children left his half-full can of Sprite on the wood of the ship. I did take photos. Other bystanders stood by helplessly wondering how on earth to communicate to these people that it is not OK to pillage, vandalize and a destroy historical ship that is probably at least 140 years old!

I contacted every government agency I could think of, and to my delight, they all responded. Their message wasn’t encouraging, but I am thrilled that they all took the time to respond in depth.

As has been explained to me, the ship is on private property, and the owner is concerned about liability should someone hurt themselves. The owner cannot, however, demolish the ship either as it is protected by the National Preservation Act of 1966 because it is in the coastal zone. To rescue the ship would cost millions, and no one has that kind of money right now — nor are they likely ever to have it.

The only hope for the ship, to buy it time, as one agency states, is to hope the ship is re-covered by sand once again. Apparently, it was exposed some years ago by Hurricane Georges, where it was well studied and photographed by the Alabama Historical Commission.

I’m hoping the owner, whoever he is or she is, asks for help in covering the ship up once again, so that people, who just can’t get how old 140 years is here in our young United States, can’t access historical artifacts that are too big, or unwieldy or dangerous to remove to a museum for safekeeping.

I, for one, stand ready and willing to shovel sand. Owner, say the word and I’m there’

Gulf Shores resident