DUNKIRK, N.Y., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- State historic preservation and museum officials say a sunken ship off the coast of Dunkirk, N.Y., should remain submerged despite a relocation plan.
The Buffalo (N.Y.) News said Monday the officials are opposing a plan by Northeast Research LLC to raise the sunken schooner in Lake Erie to put the vessel on display in Buffalo, N.Y.
The officials allege the company's ship-raising efforts resulted in the improper handling of human remains on the sunken vessel, a claim denied by Northeast Research.
Northeast Research maintains in its attempt to secure the rights to the two-masted ship, it followed all related regulations.
The company insists the relocation of the vessel to a water tank in Buffalo would serve as a tourism draw. The company said it also has plans to film documentaries about the raising of the ship.
Experts have suggested the sunken vessel, which carries no name plate, may be the warship Caledonia used by Britain during the War of 1812. The vessel was captured by American forces and used during the Battle of Lake Erie.
