Destination Titanic
May 27, 2004
Photo from Dr. Ballard's expedition to the Titanic in 1986?rust forms on the bow of the ship.
Photograph by Dr. Robert D. Ballard and Martin Bowen © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
"May God bless these found souls." ? Dr. Robert D. Ballard, 1985
BOSTON ? A thousand miles due east, and 2 1/2 miles straight down.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research ship Ronald H. Brown sailed out of Boston today, embarking on a journey into the future of deep-sea exploration, while exploring the history of the world's greatest maritime tragedy.Its destination: approximately 41 degrees, 43 minutes north of the equator, and 49 degrees, 56 minutes west of the prime meridian. Its object of study: more than 12,000 feet (3,658 m) below the ocean's surface.
There, far out in the North Atlantic, lies the wreckage of R.M.S. Titanic. During her maiden voyage on the night of April 14-15, 1912, the palatial passenger ship struck an iceberg and sank. Over 1,500 lives were lost.
In 1985, renowned scientist Dr. Robert D. Ballard led a joint French/American expedition that discovered and photographed the derelict ship on the ocean floor. One year after that, he returned to explore the wreckage in more detail in the submersible Alvin.
Now, Dr. Ballard returns to the Titanic for the first time in 18 years, once again leading a voyage of discovery.
Except this time, the mission is urgent.
NOAA researchers, scientists, and other Titanic visitors have reported that the ship is deteriorating at a shocking rate. Holes have widened in her decks and walls; the bridge railing has disappeared; the entire roof above the Reading and Writing Room has collapsed. A gangway door that Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller opened as the ship sank is gone, as is the gymnasium roof. And the crow's nest from which lookout Frederick Fleet shouted "Iceberg, right ahead!" just seconds before the fatal collision has similarly vanished.
Dr. Ballard is convinced the decay has been caused by people repeatedly visiting the site and its surrounding wreckage; visitors include adventurers, tour companies, filmmakers, and salvors who have removed over 6,000 artifacts. In addition, countless marine organisms feast on the ship's iron and wood.
Dr. Ballard intends to document the ship's deterioration during an 11-day expedition. Comparing the photographs from the 1985 and 1986 voyages with those gathered during this latest trip will let scientists assess the rate of decay, while providing new data to help them determine how best to preserve Titanic.
Dr. Ballard envisions turning her into a protected historic site.
"Despite all that has been done to Titanic since her discovery, she is still there," Dr. Ballard said. "Yes, they have removed many of the jewels from the old lady while she rested in her grave, but she is still there. And if we do the right thing, she and her memory will remain."
Viewers at home can follow the scientific team's progress. The National Geographic Channel will broadcast images from Titanic during an hour-long special airing Monday, June 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The program, "Return to Titanic," will begin with an update on the expedition's progress before taking viewers to the wreckage. ABC correspondent Jay Schadler will be the onboard host.
The expedition's partners include the National Geographic Society, NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration, Ballard's Mystic Aquarium Institute for Exploration, the JASON Foundation for Education and the University of Rhode Island's Institute for Archaeological Oceanography.
(Note: nationalgeographic.com does not research or edit dispatches.)
