Posted on Monday, August 23, 2010 by Martin Cox
TITANIC sailed from Southampton April 10, 1912.
A well-funded 20-day research expedition intends to create a 3D digital map of the entire TITANIC wreck site.
After the wreck of the TITANIC was discovered in 1985 by a team led by oceanographer Robert Ballard, it has been the object of an ongoing argument over whether the famous ship and its remains should be salvaged or left undisturbed as a memorial to the over 1,500 lost that night in April 1912. It has become one of the most fiercely disputed underwater sites in the world.
Robert Ballard and many in the scientific community have been sharp critics of RMS Titanic Inc., a private Atlanta-based company that holds the legal rights to salvage the wreck. Over 5,000 objects have been recovered from the site since 1987.
Given this history, one wonders if the split between scientists and treasure-hunters has been repaired.
On August 23 the expedition ship JEAN CHARCOT sails from St. John’s, Newfoundland. On board, executives of RMS Titanic Inc. share the deck with scientists and specialists, including archeologists from the U.S. National Park Service and the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University, and experts from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, the very agency for which Robert Ballard once worked. Woods Hole has officially supported Ballard’s claims that Titanic should be left alone.
Shortly before JEAN CHARCOT was to depart on her 350 kilometre journey to the wreck site, Chris Davino, the president of RMS Titanic Inc., was reported to say, “What’s unique about this expedition is that it brings parties from both sides of that debate together . . . groups that have put forward strong points of view over time about how Titanic should be tended to. It was always my dream to bring all of these parties to the table.”
Robert Ballard, who is now the director of the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography University of Rhode Island, was not invited.
The wreck is reportedly decaying, and the mission will give archaeologists a chance to properly document the entire site, much of which has apparently never been examined. They plan to “virtually raise” the wreck in digital images in time for the 100th anniversary of the sinking in April 2012. Eventually, a 3D model of the site will be launched on the internet. It is reported that on this voyage, no artifacts will be recovered.
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Thanks to sources: BBC, Montreal Gazette, Globe and Mail, Independent
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Glenn L.
August 23, 2010 at 4:43 am
I’ve taken my son to see R.M.S. Titanic Inc.’s Exhibition to see the artifacts that have been recovered, It is a tastefully done exhibit which really brings home the full impact of the tragedy. I also understand the grave robbing standpoint but after learning how quickly the ship is disappearing, I would have to lean towards careful preservation not unlike the way the holocaust museum was done in D.C.
For those who’ve not seen the artifact exhibition, it is a humbling experience and will affect you in some way. We’ve also seen the Tutenkhammen exhibit, it was not quite as impressive as Titanic. Seeing the ships whistles and the massive lower connecting rod from her engine is just captivating. I can’t wait to see this high tech re-mapping.
edvard
August 23, 2010 at 8:34 am
I have mixed feelings about exploring the Titanic. She was probably the first ship that got me interested in old ships to begin with. I remember the 1985 copy of National Geographic which had Ballard’s discovery of the Titanic and his followup in 1986. This was back when I was in elementary school. I also went to a Titanic exhibit in Memphis, TN when I was in High School. After reading about the Titanic for years it was amazing to see part of that history in person. On the other hand it felt strange looking at items that had been on board a doomed ship where many people died.
The fascination with the Titanic seems to be more about the ironic tragedy surrounding her rather than the ship itself. The Brittanic is in much better condition and easier to access than the Titanic yet people keep coming back to the Titanic. I think its because she represents the realization that we’re not perfect and even the best made plans, no matter how grand, are prone to sometimes disastrous outcomes.
As far as the wreck, well if you look at even some of the most recent challenging expeditions such as that of James Cameron’s venture into the Turkish Bath area the wreck has deteriorated to such an extent that hardly any of the interior is recognizable. It looks more like the inside of a cave rather than a ship. Even since 1985 there seems to have been a large amount of corrosion. Some part of me begs why we just don’t leave her alone. On the other hand I guess its good we might have some sort of 3D model to see for all eternity.
Nigel
August 23, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Titanic Exhibitions do not allow photos to be taken like Southamptons in the UK so I avoid them. The Titanic should now be left alone.. I think no more photos could be taken enough must have been taken over the last 25 years. If anything was brought up from the deep how about one or more of her propellers. Titanic should not be owned by any one other than the ocean she rests in,This Titanic company are just out to make a fast buck on the poor souls that sank with her shame on all of them.
Joseph Sturges
August 23, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Leave it as a memorial to those who perished at the hands of a corporation who valued money far more than human life. Even now there are expensive wristwatches being sold which have rusted metal from TITANIC incorporated into the bezel. How crass can people get? Bad enough e-bay sellers try to capitalize by re-manufacturing china items that would have been aboard that fateful night. TITANIC stands as the ultimate symbol of man’s arrogance and greed. Not to put enough lifeboats aboard because you didn’t want the upper decks to look cluttered is man’s inhumanity to man taken to sea.
Dan
August 24, 2010 at 1:25 am
The best solution would be to create a permanent museum that would house the artifacts from the Titanic. The museum should be built alongside the Queen Mary. A true maritime museum that that could hold salvaged artifacts from other lost liners as well. I want to see R.M.S. Titanic Inc.’s Exhibition establish a partnership with the operators of the Queen Mary. This would not only attract interest in the artifacts, but the Queen Mary as well.
Robert Pirnie
August 24, 2010 at 8:29 am
A memorial requires that someone be able to see and touch to connect with the incident or person being memorialized. Titanic in its current state does not offer this opportunity. Is Titanic a grave? Anyone aboard was on the decks and swept off when she sank. She is a grave only to herself. I advocate recovering as much as we can before she is gone and just an iron oxide stain on the ocean floor. It’s better than seeing her rusting hulk littered with plaques from every would-be Bob Ballard strewn on her deck house floor. Bring up everything we can, while we can.
Tom in long beach
August 24, 2010 at 10:31 am
All of the items in displays were removed from the debis field. That said, to me it is emotional and amazing to see the actual items. Oddly perhaps seeing plates and kitchen items makes me the most sad. Thinking that humans were cooking and serving and eating food off these mere hours before disaster makes the whole storey just a little too real for me.
I think it is great they are going to digiatlly map the area. Eventually the whole ship will just be a rust streak on the bottom of the ocean.
Corey palm desert
August 25, 2010 at 1:43 am
Titanic museum in Vegas at Luxor is great. Been there many times. I’d rather see parts save than disapating into the sea. I do see point that it’s a grave though. I hear James camerons movie titanic coming out next year in 3d
Ed Bennett
August 25, 2010 at 8:20 am
Letting it all sit on the ocean floor is nonsense. Pointing fingers and making grand noises about Greed and arrogance is also nonsense.
The Titanic and it’s incident are historical facts and should be preserved for future generations so that no one ever forgets what happened. She is only a grave unto herself. There are no remais there anymore. Some crab or other creature ate them and crapped them out so get over it. Look forward, not back. Preserve for the future.
Corey palm desert
August 27, 2010 at 12:35 am
I love titanic but it amazes me all the interest still. Companies spend millions of dollars to retrieve items but ships like battleship Olympia in Philly in trouble , battleship new jersey and Iowa in trouble. ss united states in trouble but companies don’t care about these historical ships. I’m glad Doulus was saved. Just wish she was in U.S. If a epic movie was made about any of these ships they would be saved. Fantasy I know.
James Robinson
March 16, 2011 at 4:52 pm
It seems to me that some Americans are more interested in marketing the Titanic for monetary gain, than the histirical facts connected with the great ship, wouldn’t it be a just thing to put ALL the artifacts from her back to her birthplace in Belfast, at the new Titanic Quarter Exhibition site, now under construction.
rodney
January 20, 2012 at 8:16 am
Such a spectaculat accident is what took the Titanic down, there is some mystery to this but in reality it was Horrendous, to be there would be to know Terror, the waters were due to kill you in 15 minutes of being in the water…bodies were found floating miles and miles away from the wrecksite, some never found..many were on this ship hoping for a new beginning, instead they now live on in another place and time..a time in which the Titanic still sails a glassy sea and its occupants are happy and music and entertainment continues..suddenly..there was no difference in class or level..they became the same..at one minute it was cold and full of terror and in another the ship majestically righted herself and continued to sail on..and only the sad physical remains are found on this side of Humanity..they have gone on…..so has the Titanic..it is the Grief that keeps us connected to this horrendous situation from which it seems we as Human Beings have learned nothing…We are drawn to her..she calls to us to Look and Learn from Her…yet somehow we keep looking for yet another excuse to obliterate the Reality..Rest in Peace Titanic..Rest..as you do, Triumphant in your own Glory, upright as you promised to Be..Take care your Passengers who still sail with you..Behold and Glory Forever..Adieu..Adieu..Adieu Titanic and to all the Souls..no more terror of the cold and deep..God Speed to You Titanic and Your Very Special Passengers..God Speed.