Fourth Year Hon. Mention: Lights in Dark Blue Waters

WRIT 4002, Periodical Writing and Publishing Practicum. CD: Paul McLaughlin.

Abstract

The author’s feature article “Lights in Dark Blue Waters” explores the ethics of photographing and publicizing shipwrecks, in flawless, crisp, and vivid prose. Taking the legendary cargo ship Edmund Fitzgerald as its focus, this article invites readers into the underwater world of shipwreck divers to engage a crucial debate in the wreck diving world: Are wrecks gravesites to be respectfully left alone, or historical artifacts open to exploration? Should photos from shipwrecks, even recent ones, be digitized and made available to the public? The writer’s research sets out the nuances and possibilities of these questions, and five outstanding, original, interviews contribute detail, and immediacy to the work, Reviewers were unanimous in nominating this thoughtful piece for the LA&PS Writing Prize, in departure from the Writing Department’s usual custom of nominating only the winners at each year level.