From the archives: Footage of Titanic shared by Robert Ballard in 1985

Robert Ballard discussed the Titanic wreckage site after discovering the sunken ship on Sept. 1, 1985 — more than 70 years after it disappeared about 12,600 feet below the ocean's surface.

#news #titanic #history

[travisp]

Dr. Ballard is one of the most accomplished men of his generation. Most importantly his upmost respect and decency he portrayed throughout his entire Titanic exploration and the decades that followed. He never lost sight of the tremendous event of human loss that the Titanic was. He has shown genuine compassion from day one. And in a way that so many others have failed to do. For me, it sets him apart. Thank you for all the pain staking work you’ve done sir. You’ve done so much for science.

[lancecougar]

I was given a titanic book by professor Ballard for my 13th birthday. I’m 42 now and I still look at it every couple of weeks. A fascinating subject by an incredible man. We have a lot to thank him for.

[grdne]

This is amazing. 32 years as a Titanic enthusiast and I've never seen this...

[derekhellmann]

Highly respected and honorable man. I was a paperboy in '85 and remember the headlines reading 'Titanic Found' with a grainy image. It was a big deal back then because it was lost for 73 years and so difficult to find. Armstrong landed on the moon and Ballard the Titanic. The stuff of legend.

[killerdoritoWA]

I remember as a kid learning about Dr. Ballard and Titanic. He’s humble, admits mistakes, and gives credit where it’s due. A true explorer (Titanic) and public servant (Thresher/Scorpion) at the right place and time in history. The world needs more Dr. Ballard and fewer grandstanding entrepreneurs.

[ErynRenee]

I could listen to Dr. Ballard talk about deep sea exploration for hours...and I have. He's incredibly smart and speaks about his area of expertise with so much enthusiasm - he wants everyone to know what he's talking about how exciting his discoveries are and why.

[e.l.Lindsay]

I wonder how people felt that day when they thought the ship sank in one piece but instead they realized some of the survivors were right it did split apart during the sinking

[StephenCole]

I have been in that auditorium many times to listen to Dr. Ballard talk about his missions. Such an amazing time every time.

[xmanhoe]

Being from Belfast Northern Ireland my Dad and I always had a fascination with Titanic 😎 Sadly Dad passed away in 1983 ...He would have been fascinated

[HitWonder]

My mom was really into the Titanic and I remember her saying in the early 80's that it would never be found. Really cool footage!

[RedRex]

I was only 6 months old at this time, so I am really loving this. I can't imagine what it was like back then to see such a discovery. Bob has an amazing personality!

[whodeycinbengals]

This press conference was shot in the month I was born back in 85. What a crazy life this is and man does it go by fast!

[Nepomniachtchi_Austin]

Shocking how in just 40 years, how the meaning of "Extremely detailed" has changed.

[jonasthesen]

Amazing that this search was actually used as a cover when they where actually looking for 2 sunken nuclear submarines (Thresher and Scorpion) . They had a couple of days after finding them to locate Titanic. And found it they did.

[TRTelos]

When they discovered the Titanic, I was listening to him on the short wave bands in the UK, their call sign was "station collect" on the 20m band .

[edithcallaway]

Anything Titanic related he's always my go to guy.

[Nightdreaux]

Looking at this old footage and compared it to the footage documented by OceanGate company, I really appreciated these old technologies, workers, engineers and scientists. They all managed to discover Titanic despite having blurry vision and video. Minimum lights and old cameras quality.

I hope all people who attended that event are still alive right now and wish they have seen the documentary crystal clear footage taken by OceanGate with High Quality Camera (probably GoPro)

[PaulChiesa-dbzn]

He literally made history when he found Titanic.

[alison]

So articulate and advanced at that time.Rivetting breakthroughs.Just incredible and what an amazing explorer scientist and educator.Hats off to Bollard.

[sweett]

Common sense conveys to most human beings that you would never go up to a grave in a cemetery and take something off of it or desecrate it, in any way. You just don't do it. With everything he has going for him...Robert Ballard has a good heart. He didn't even like subs hitting the ship and doing damage, much less looting it. He deserved to make that find. His heart was pure and he had good intentions. ♡