U.K. scavengers plunder goods from ship

[maxrandb]

Could you imagine finding a BMW Motorcycle, or 15, laying about the beach?

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BRITAIN_SHIP?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=HOME

LONDON (AP) -- Hundreds of scavengers swooped onto a beach in southwest England on Monday and carted away motorcycles, wine barrels, car parts and tennis shoes spilling from a container ship damaged in recent storms and listing about a mile off shore.

The British cargo ship was deliberately run aground close to the Devonshire resort of Sidmouth, 165 miles southwest of London after it was damaged during a storm Thursday. Its crew of 26 was rescued.

French officials said that of the 41,700 tons of merchandise, 1,700 tons were considered dangerous, including battery acid and flammable material. The containers also hold motorcycles, car parts, oak barrels and household possessions being moved to new homes.

The scavengers descended on the containers overnight, carting away 15 BMW motorbikes among other items. Authorities warned that the scavengers would be breaking the law if they did not report what they found.

[nealmhughes]

1. Pirates of Penzance moved one county east!

Actually, the people of the Devon and Cornish coast used to have a hue and cry "Ship aground!" whenever one ran onto the rocks or the bar.
Fire Island supposed gets its name from "preemptive wreckers" who lit huge fires on the island to simualte the lights of Brooklyn, further west...then taking the plunder.
On the other hand, Devon and Cornish lifeboat volunteers are very famous for their bravery in rescuing the sailors of wrecks...
Makes me proud to be a Devon man (if an ancestor who removed to Virginia in 1610 counts!).

[maxrandb]

3. Had a similar thing happen here close to the NC Coast during a storm

all we got were cases of Doritos. The Brits get barrels of wine and motorcycles.

What is wrong with this picture?

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Nothing new there.