BIOGRAPHY

Gene Ritter's Biography

Gene T. Ritter is a commercial diver, who, for over thirty years, has been studying marine life, environmental conditions, and changes- while discovering historical artifacts of our country's past. A proud member of his union, Local 1456 (divers, pile drivers, and dock builders), he contributes to the building and rebuilding of the infrastructures and foundations of New York's shorelines. Working the New York waterfront often involoves diving into the brackish waters of the Hudson and East Rivers. Gene is passionate about his work, he's also passionate about history,and has been featured in prime time newscasts such as NBC, CBS, and ABC, for his historical dives and underwater findings. He's often appeared in featured articles in the New York Times, and trade magazines. Amoung his underwater discoveries are the remnants of Fort Lafayette, a civil war confederate prison. Gene found the sunken island built by Robert E. Lee, underneath the Verrazano Bridge. Exploring a different area, he found a lost submarine, originally built to dive the ill-fated Andrea Doria. Another find , the remains of the 150 -year- old Dreamland Pier in Coney Island, has provided many fascinating links to our past: the pilings that exist from the original structure, surrounded by various artifacts from the elegant dining room, including silverware, plates, and beer mugs. On many occasions, Gene has brought these and other artifacts into schools, in an effort to impart his passion for history to students. In 1990 former Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden awarded him with a citation for his Outstanding Contributions to the Preservation of Brooklyn's History.

GENE T. RITTER

Thank you for taking the time to read my page I hope its been inspirational in some way. God Bless America and all who love her.

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