Letters to the Editor — June 30, 2023
The Issue: A submersible heading to the site of the Titanic wreck that imploded with five people on board.
OceanGate head Stockton Rush, as a CEO and as an undersea explorer, was willing to roll the dice to lead a high-profile, high-risk life (“Deep sea ‘predator,’ ” June 27).
His choice. But it was not his right to lead his unknowing fellow explorers to do the same, all in order to continue to finance his risky expeditions and inflate his ego against the advice of others.
The manner of the loss of life was horrific. The cost and extent of rescue operations were huge, to say nothing of the nerve-wracking experiences of families and rescuers.
Lawsuits should put an end to Rush’s company. However, nagging questions remain.
How did Rush get away with this? And should these explorations and submersibles be better regulated? How could he just ignore guidance?
Too late, we see the tragic (but not surprising or unanticipated) results of one man’s arrogance. Put Titan in the “never should have happened” column.
Rosemarie Kaupp
Warrington, Pa.
It occurred to me as I watched the Titan tragedy unfold that Rush, above all, had a death wish.
His nonchalance regarding construction and safety cannot be explained any other way. I see him as a predator.
Jane Hardcastle
Minneapolis, Minn.
When wealthy people get bored, they look to go on some “adventure” that they can tell their friends about but has no real purpose.
The Titan was an example of this. It was going to look at the remains of a ship that sank on its maiden voyage. Many people died.
The Titan was a poorly designed submersible that imploded, killing all on board. Many people still die trying to climb Mt. Everest, although it’s been done hundreds of times.
If people want real adventure that does matter, they should join the military or become police officers or firefighters.
These professions will provide plenty of adventure, and they will even be paid for their efforts.
Join the real world and leave the make-believe to children.
Robert DeCandia
New Hyde Park
I can’t help thinking that diving to the Titanic in a vessel propelled by drone fans and driven with a gaming controller was like going over Niagara Falls in a wooden barrel.
I’m all for adventure and pushing the envelope, and I feel terrible for the people that perished. But it appears that the submarine had no business being in the water, let alone diving to those depths.
You don’t need to be a member of the Cousteau family to know that cork-screwing to a depth of 2 ¹/₂ miles is not something for the casual weekend warrior.
We are just now being reminded of how truly dangerous the environment is down there. Maybe we should leave this sort of exploration to true experts, who understand the risks and have the resources and knowledge to plan for them.
There’s already enough information online to satisfy one’s curiosity about the Titanic — and some pretty stunning images, too.
Michael D’Auria
Bronxville
Five very rich guys who were bored with boozing it up in Bali each ponied up $250,000 to take a dive to the ocean’s bottom to squint at the grave of other rich guys from 111 years ago. Talk about having a depth wish.
More to the point, taxpayer dollars were squandered on the search for the vessel, while pre-K kids in Harlem struggle with never-ending food insecurity. What a country.
Ron Spurga
Manhattan
Stockton Rush was perhaps the best salesman the world has ever known. As an engineer, he was not so great.
Bill Westfield
Kerhonkson
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