Annals Of Underwater Archaeology–Saving Titanic: Undersea ubermensch Robert Ballard, who discovered the location of Titanic in 1985, went back to the wreck last spring and didn’t like what he saw. Minisubs bringing tourists to view the sunken icon had damaged the deck, the bell and light on the mast are missing, and there is a gash on the bow where the name Titanic is written. More than 6,000 artifacts have been removed from the wreck, prompting Ballard to call for restrictions that will help prevent further damage and looting. “You don’t go to Gettysburg with a shovel,” he told the local Mystic newspaper, which has a provocative feature on Ballard’s views. For example, Ballard wants to use underwater robots to repaint the hull, to combat rust. And he’d like to install remote cameras throughout the wreck, to allow web surfers to take a virtual tour. Ballard has just released a new National Geographic book, with stunning photos of the wreck then and now. And his return visit will be featured in a special on the National Geographic channel December 16. Balllard has profited more than anyone from the discovery and public interest in the Titanic, so his outrage has to be taken with a grain of salt. But the Old Girl deserves maximum protection and respect, so it doesn’t matter a damn who the messenger is…



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