December 17, 2001

Dear Sir,

This is in response to the shipwreck collection being returned to Bermuda by the Smithsonian Institution.

I am delighted that the artefacts are being returned to Bermuda. To clarify some of the misconceptions and statements that are being made, all artefacts were in duplicate, one set was kept in Bermuda and the duplicate, sanctioned by the Bermuda Government, to the Smithsonian Institution. All policies and procedures, at the time were followed. All intrinsic artefacts were kept in Bermuda and now the collection is at the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

I have always been an advocate of keeping Bermuda's heritage in Bermuda and that is why the collection was sold to the Bermuda Government at a very reduced price compared to what had been offered from an overseas collector at the time. Before the collection was sold, I had a museum were the artefacts were displayed before the sale to the Bermuda Government and since, the artefacts were on display at the Bermuda Aquarium and job at the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

the balance of my collection, some of which has been offered to the Government over the years and refused, are on display the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. I spent a great deal of time and effort preserving the artefacts for the enjoyment and education for all to see.

Over the last 50 years or so that my work has been on public display for all to see, I have used my collection to promote tourism by doing tours of the United States for the Trade Development Board, now the Department of Tourism, and given numerous lectures for the promotion of Bermuda, both here and abroad.

As to my comments on the new legislation, the legislation speaks for itself. Therefore, I have no further comment.

EDWARD B. (TEDDY) TUCKER

Sandys Parish