1950DAVE you have a good point if at the time the well water was only a foot or two deep. Put in perspective, back in the day of happening...the well was 60+/- feet deep and well water could have been up to the half that level....as it was when the recent excavation occurred. The excavation team used power pumps to lower the well water to under muddy boot height, built strong wooden walls for safety as you see erected prior to the team beginning the excavation. Just my opinion if again, back in the day, I was asked to climb half way down a 60' ladder if one was readily available, then holding my breath blind climb down into another 30 feet of cold water in my underwear trying to retrieve the weapon....as a reasonable person, I might have thought long and hard if that was worth the effort? I have scuba dived in clear water only with face mask and flippers, holding my breath 20 feet or so for a half a minute successfully, Just a personal opinion.
