Hmm ! I am never very happy at the thought of a Grave being disturbed. Unfortunatley it can be a matter of chance if any diving opperation finds or disturbs any human remains - Vide the "HMS Edinbugh" gold salvage.

A parallel might be the recovery of bodies from WW2 Aircraft wrecks which are still discovered in South East England. Certainly from existing records every attempt is made to indentify, and give a formal burial with next of kin present. In the aircraft case this is reasonably easy as RAF, USAAF, and Luftwafen records still show the allocated pilots against the Aircraft, and Engine or Gun indentification numbers reveal which Aircraft it was.

Unfortunately the case of the remains on the "USS Monitor" will require different methods (? DNA testing of decendants - is it possible ?), but a burial, with full honours, and respect is neccessary.

A possible way round would be using the existing plans and specifications to build a replica. The railway, and aircraft preservation people have had no problem with this over the years.

No, but let the Hood, Bismark, Arizona, or Yamamato for example lie where they are.

Gareth