Uncovering the Truth: The Untold Story of Finding the Titanic
The First Successful Search for the Titanic
Numerous attempts to find the Titanic wreckage were put forward without success. The first successful attempt to find the ship happened just over 37 years ago in September 1985.
The Discovery and Cover-Up
In September 1985, a Franco-American expedition led by Robert Ballard discovered that the ship had split apart, likely near or at the surface, before sinking. It later emerged that the successful 1985 hunt for the passenger liner was used as a cover for a mission to find lost nuclear submarines.
A Covert Military Operation
Retired US Navy officer, Robert Ballard, led an underwater expedition to locate the sunken ship in 1985. Speaking to CNN and CBS about the now-declassified events, Ballard revealed that his expedition was part of a covert US military operation.
The Secret Mission Revealed
Ballard was tasked with finding the USS Thresh and USS Scorpion, two nuclear subs that sank in the 1960s. The hunt for the Titanic was the perfect front for this covert operation that aimed to keep the real objective hidden from the world.
The Unexpected Challenge
Despite wanting to find the Titanic, Ballard couldn’t get funding for the expensive expedition. The US Navy eventually offered to sponsor the mission with one condition – Ballard had to track down the submarines before the Russians could find them.
Success Amidst Secrecy
Despite the challenges, Ballard eventually found the Titanic by following a trail of debris, a technique he learned while searching for the nuclear submarines. The mission, shrouded in secrecy, was not without its complications but ultimately led to the historic discovery of the Titanic wreckage.
A Promise of Respect
Once the Titanic was found, a somber mood prevailed among the expedition team. They realized the gravity of their discovery and promised to treat the ship with utmost respect, vowing never to disturb its resting place.