World SCUBA Google Map
Here is a wiki-style Google Map of
world SCUBA dive sites that lets anyone add their favorite dive
sites. As far as Google Maps go, this one has a TON of search
functionality and content. It allows you to view/add image and
video galleries, rate each site and also search by heaps of things.
It also has a search mechanism so you can do things like ask
it to show you all the dive sites that have the keyword shark,
are in a particular country and can be accessed from the shore;
or just show me all the ice dives with good wide angle photography.
This is an awesome Google Maps mashup! Go to:
http://www.scubamap.net/map/
Group Finds Ancient Ships Off Italy Coast
Archaeologists exploring the bottom of the sea off the island
of Capri found the wrecks of three ancient ships that once plied
the Mediterranean between Rome and northern African colonies.
Culture Minister Giuliano Urbani took a mini-submarine tour to
see the latest additions to Italy's rich archaeological heritage,
which were found in 2004.
The wrecks were found off the island in the Gulf of Naples at
a depth of about 430 feet, said private TV Canale 5, showing
underwater footage of the finds on Friday.
A starfish rested on piles of amphorae, the slender terra cotta
storage containers the ancient Romans used to transport goods,
and colorful fish darted through the openings between the relics.
Archaeologists said one of the wrecks, from the 1st century,
had been transporting goods on the route between Rome and what
is now Tripoli, Libya.
A second ship, also from the first century, sank with a load
of the containers which were typical of those used to transport
fruit. The third vessel, from the 4th century, was laden with
similar vases containing a popular condiment of the time based
on a kind of fish sauce.
The underwater expedition also found ships from medieval times
as well as more recent wrecks from World War II.
Sicilians Stake Claim on Underwater Volcano
Sicilian divers will this week try
to plant a flag on an underwater volcano, to prevent any claims
of British sovereignty. The Italian National Institute of Geophysics
has suggested that the volcano, now 6 metres (20 feet) below
the surface, may resurface soon. The last time it appeared was
in 1831, when the
British navy planted the Union flag and claimed it for Britain.
The King of Naples sent a warship to replace the flag, and a
French party also landed. Conflict was avoided by the island
sinking again.
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