Bermuda's most famous diver and explorer Teddy Tucker has welcomed news that part of his collection of deep sea treasures is to be returned to the Island from the prestigious Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Premier Jennifer Smith announced last Friday that many artefacts from the ocean floor around Bermuda which Mr. Tucker salvaged in the 1960's on a project for the Smithsonian will be coming home in the next few months and will be housed in Bermuda Maritime Museum.

The return of the items, some of which cover shipwrecks dating back to the late 1500's, is the result of lengthy negotiations between Bermuda and the Smithsonian.

In a letter published in today's Royal Gazette, Mr. Tucker said the items being returned to Bermuda were duplicates of those already on display in the Island. If there were two canon from a ship, one would go to Washington while the other remained on the Island.

Mr. Tucker's daughter Wendy, who acts as his secretary, told The Royal Gazette yesterday that her father did not know the items were returning until he read about it in the paper.

Mr. Tucker writes: "I am delighted that the artefacts are being returned. 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 Institute.

"All intrinsic artefacts were kept in Bermuda and now the collection is at the Bermuda Maritime Museum."

Mr. Tucker said he had always been a strong supporter of preserving the Island's maritime heritage in Bermuda, which was why he sold his collection to Government at a much lower rate than had been offered by a private collector.

He said before selling his collection, he had his own museum, but then sold the items to Government to be housed first at Bermuda Aquarium, then the Bermuda Maritime Museum in Dockyard.

"The balance of my collection, some of which has been offered the Government over the years and refused, are on display at 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."

Mr. Tucker found the most famous piece of treasure ever recovered around Bermuda's waters, the Tucker's Cross in 1955.

The gold cross with seven emeralds was found on the wreck of the San Pedro, which is thought to have sunk in 1594, and is recognised as one of the most significant pieces of jewellery to be found in the New World. It was on display at the Aquarium until it was stolen in 1975, minutes before its new home was to be opened by Queen Elizabeth.

Mr. Tucker steers clear of commenting on the Historic Wrecks Act, which passed Senate on Wednesday, which introduces fines of up to $25,000 and or one year in jail for exploring some wrecks without a licence.

It also removes the provision for Government to give compensation to divers who salvage treasures from the ocean floor.

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