Titanic Was Found During Secret Cold War Navy Mission

blaize

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Titanic Was Found During Secret Cold War Navy Mission
John Roach
for National Geographic News
June 2, 2008

The 1985 discovery of the Titanic stemmed from a secret United States Navy investigation of two wrecked nuclear submarines, according to the oceanographer who found the infamous ocean liner.

Pieces of this Cold War tale have been known since the mid-1990s, but more complete details are now coming to light, said Titanic's discoverer, Robert Ballard.


"The Navy is finally discussing it," said Ballard, an oceanographer at the University of Rhode Island in Narragansett and the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration in Connecticut.

Ballard met with the Navy in 1982 to request funding to develop the robotic submersible technology he needed to find the Titanic.

Ballard is also a National Geographic Society explorer-in-residence. (National Geographic News is owned by the National Geographic Society.)

Surprise Find

Ronald Thunman, then the deputy chief of naval operations for submarine warfare, told Ballard the military was interested in the technology—but for the purpose of investigating the wreckage of the U.S.S. Thresher and U.S.S. Scorpion.

Since Ballard's technology would be able to reach the sunken subs and take pictures, the oceanographer agreed to help out.

He then asked the Navy if he could search for the Titanic, which was located between the two wrecks.

"I was a little short with him," said Thunman, who retired as a vice admiral and now lives in Springfield, Illinois. He emphasized that the mission was to study the sunken warships.

Once Ballard had completed his mission—if time was left—Thunman said, Ballard could do what he wanted, but never gave him explicit permission to search for the Titanic.

(More @ Source)
 
I just love the Titanic lore. My daughters have studied the ship and did an entire unit study on it.

This story for some reason just made me giddy. LOL.

Yeah, I am a dweeb.



(PS: NO, I have never seen the stupid Titanic movie either)
 
blaize,
grinning-smiley-002.gif

You always post the most interesting articles.
I never knew that the Titantic was found during a war mission.
 
I too have always loved the story of the Titanic. When I owned my assisted living facility in FL, I cared for a man who was on the ship that rec'd the SOS call...he was in the room helping translate the morris code (sp?) .....the ship IIRC started with a C the name, just can't remember it. It was interesting to hear his stories of that night.
 
I just love the Titanic lore. My daughters have studied the ship and did an entire unit study on it.

This story for some reason just made me giddy. LOL.

Yeah, I am a dweeb.



(PS: NO, I have never seen the stupid Titanic movie either)

I'm on the dweeb list with ya pixie! I was so excited when I heard this. This one just fascinates me. Always has.
 
I'm a little nostalgic about the Titanic too Pixies because it's part of Irish history, built in Belfast and set out on her maiden voyage from Cobh, then known as Queenstown.

I just love the Titanic lore. My daughters have studied the ship and did an entire unit study on it.

This story for some reason just made me giddy. LOL.

Yeah, I am a dweeb.



(PS: NO, I have never seen the stupid Titanic movie either)
 
Thanks Philamena. It's really interesting story and I thought this bit was funny because I see Robert Ballard going 'Can I, Can I, Can I please?' lol.

He then asked the Navy if he could search for the Titanic, which was located between the two wrecks.

"I was a little short with him," said Thunman, who retired as a vice admiral and now lives in Springfield, Illinois. He emphasized that the mission was to study the sunken warships.

blaize,
grinning-smiley-002.gif

You always post the most interesting articles.
I never knew that the Titantic was found during a war mission.
 
I bet he had many an interesting story to share Christine. Sometimes I wish more people would record the memories of people like that older gentleman for posterity because as their generation passes we lose so much rich history.

I too have always loved the story of the Titanic. When I owned my assisted living facility in FL, I cared for a man who was on the ship that rec'd the SOS call...he was in the room helping translate the morris code (sp?) .....the ship IIRC started with a C the name, just can't remember it. It was interesting to hear his stories of that night.
 
I too have always loved the story of the Titanic. When I owned my assisted living facility in FL, I cared for a man who was on the ship that rec'd the SOS call...he was in the room helping translate the morris code (sp?) .....the ship IIRC started with a C the name, just can't remember it. It was interesting to hear his stories of that night.
It was the Carpathia that got the SOS call. That is neat that you knew him. Did he tell you any details?:)
 

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