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Ewan Stevenson
ArchaeHistoria Solomon Islands Research and SCUBA Diver
PART 1 - Background
- Tell about yourself, your background, family and where you grew up.

- Speak about your father, his position in the Solomon Islands and how he came to work and live there.

- What was it like to grow up on Guadalcanal in the "golden era" (for WWII history)?
What was the place like then, in relation to WWII history, relics, unexploded ordinance, etc?

- Talk about you your early interest and visits to battlefields to look for traces of the war, relics, etc.
How did your interests evolve, grow and change/expand?

- Do you have any memories of veterans traveling to Guad / Solomons during those early years?
If so, did you interact with them? (Japanese, Americans, NZ'ers, etc) What was the purpose of their visits?

- Were there any ex-pats on Guad from your era that were involved in BPSI government or had wartime involvement in the war? If so, were you inspired by them or did you learn from them?

- When & how did you become interested in the larger history and archeology surrounding Guadalcanal? What was your entry point? (Veterans, curiosity, etc?)

- What books did you find influential in your early days? Did you read all the "classics" related to Guad? Guad Diary, etc And, official histories?

- How and when did you become interested in SCUBA diving? How did you learn and begin diving in the SI? Obviously, your diving must have been with the intention of diving WWII wrecks, correct?

- What activities were happening on Guad during your era related to WWII history? (Scrapping, salvage diving for scrap, collection of relics for export and museum, UXO disposal, etc)

- As your expertise and experience began to grow, talk about how you expanded your travel to more difficult areas (Cape Esperance, etc) and other places (Florida Islands, etc)

- Talk about your father's role with the beautiful American memorial on Guadalcanal. Did you attend the unveiling ceremonies? Tell about that experience and working with the veterans group (few realize the memorial was a private effort, initially)

- Speak about your departure from SI, when did you depart, where do you live now and do in NZ.
Also, about your work in NZ in the dive community and research world.

PART 2 - Archaehistoria
- Speak about your project ArchaeHistoria. What is the significance of the name and mission of the organization? When was it founded, what do you do?

- Talk about your collaborations with other historians/researchers/authors, including Jim Sawruk (and trip to visit with him and do research). I am not aware of everyone you have worked with, so please elaborate - John Innes, Niel Yates, etc, etc.

- Talk about some of your research projects and efforts, in detail (overview) I might not even be aware of everything you have done or been involved with.

- Tell about your role researching and locating the shipwreck of the USS Aaron Ward, one of the most spectacular USN warships that is disable.

- Talk about your research into the WWII history of Malaita Island

- Speak about your research into sites in the Florida Island group.

- Speak about your research into the Japanese midget submarine wrecks and operations

-Tell about your trip to Western Province, New Georiga, Shortlands.

- List some of the organizations you / Archaehistoria has assisted (RNZ Navy, etc), authors, Dive operators, veterans, etc.

- What are your future project(s) or goals for yourself and Archaehistoria?

- Looking back at your life and career with this history, what are the greatest challenges today or the "future" of this material? What do you think should be done with wrecks (salvaged for money, documented, tourism, etc)

- Anything else you wish to add about yourself, your organization, etc?

PART 3 - Bibliography
- List of books, articles, etc you have authored or contributed or works that have cited your research.

Thank you for the interview Mr. Stevenson

References
ArchaeHistoria.org


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