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Programme for Phase II.
(a) A scientific commission for the study and definition of the correct
lines of reconstruction will be set up, in accordance with the current archaeological
knowledge of the ships. The commisssion will be headed by a an academic
expert in naval archaeology (Prof. Piero Gianfrotta) in collaboration with
the Soprintendenza Archeologica per Lazio and with the Direzione del Museo
delle Navi di Nemi (Dott.ssa Ghini) as well as other experts both foreign
and Italian. At the same time a study group will be set up formed by experts
and academics suitably qualified, to carry out research on the cults practiced
by inhabitants of the area in the pre-Roman period up to the time of Caligula.
(b) A Public Relations plan will be drawn up to develop relations with administrative
bodies, scientific and cultural interest groups, potential sponsors. To
this last group a complete set of documentation will be submitted in detailed
form.
(c) An initial set of engineering plans will be created based on the existing
documentation presently held by the same companies and bodies which participated
in the original recovery of the wrecks from the lake in the 30s. These engineering
design plans will be created jointly by shipbuilders Torre del Greco (Naples)
and Sangermani di Lavagna (Genoa) and will be limited only to the hull.
The problems and design of the superstructure will be resolved on the basis
of the findings of the scientific commission.
Present state of this plan:
With regard to point (a) above, certain preliminary contacts have been made
for the constitution of the scientific commission under the control of Prof.
Gianfrotta. Regarding the study group for the research into the cultic practice
of the area around the lake, we are in contact with Prof. Giancarlo Rinaldi,
President of the Centre for Severan Studies, who is disposed to assist in
this area.
As regards point (b) above, we are developing contacts at regional and governmental
level and are planning as series of promotional activities. On the 30 May
the association (Dianae Lacus) was present at the Conference of of the Italian
Underwater Archaeology Association held at Anzio, and presented a report
on the "Diana" project. On 22 June the association participated
at a seminar-exhibition held by shipbuilders Torre del Greco, on the history
of the yard, reconstruction of historic ships, and the Diana project.This
was held in the presence of several experts in the field, technical experts
(among whom Fincantieri) and parliamentary representatives.
(c) The association has officially entrusted the two shipyards (cantieri
navali Torre del Greco and Sangermani di Lavagna) with the task of drawing
up construction plans relative to the "Prima Nave" about which
the elements and parameters of the construction are well known. The construction
plans will contain all the elements necessary for an overall assessment
of the project and is aimed towards the information needs of potential sponsors.
The scientific commission of the Association has already supplied the shipyards
with the necessary guiding elements for a correct approach to the designing
of the hull to say nothing of the original technical plans drawn up by experts
from the Italian Navy at Castellammare di Stabia in 1939 and then updated
in 1953. These plans have been most kindly found and put at the disposition
of the Association by the external relations office of the General Staff
of the Italian Navy (Rear Admiral D'Agostino). Rear Admiral D'Agostino has
succeeded in gettings the Association official patronage from the Italian
Navy for Project Diana. A scale model has been started for the reconstructed
hull together with a proposed solution for the superstructure.
********************* FINANCE *********************
Documents have been drawn up expressly for submission to those administering
funds for the Jubilee Celebrations. These documents have been submitted.
Contacts have been entered into with the following bodies:- Agip, IP, IMI,
Efibanca, Monte dei Paschi di Sienna and Philips. All the above groups have
expressed their strong interest in the project and are awaiting the engineering
plans along with logistics plans, training of personnel and estimates of
costs.
Provisional figures and documentation have been submitted to these groups
to the end of speeding the process up pending definitive plans and costs
by the shipyards working on the project.
Nemi, 15 July 1996