Watch Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard
- TV-PG
- 2012
- 1 Season
-
7.6 (79)
In 2012, National Geographic released a documentary television show titled Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard, which showcased the exploration and preservation of the RMS Titanic, the infamous ship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1912. The show starred Robert Ballard, a renowned oceanographer and archaeologist, who is best known for his discovery of the Titanic wreckage in 1985.
Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard aimed to expose the unseen and unheard stories behind the sinking of the Titanic and its aftermath, as well as shine a light on the innovative new technologies being employed to preserve one of the most famous ships in history. The series focused on the inner workings of Ballard's team and the challenges they faced as they tackled a range of issues, from preserving the iconic ship's rusting metal and decaying interiors to exploring the relics of the disaster site.
Bob Ballard, himself a survivor of a sunken naval vessel, brought his personal experience to the show, as well as his renowned expertise in deep-sea exploration. Ballard and his team returned to the site of the Titanic sinking to assess the condition of the wreck and explore new areas of debris, such as the iconic grand staircase, to uncover new information about the disaster.
The show also discusses a unique challenge to the RMS Titanic's preservation: the bacterial decomposers that consume the ship's metal. The team was able to acquire a hybrid flying robot that could survey deep areas of the wreckage without disturbing any of the delicate ocean life. They found that the metal-eating bacteria were the biggest threat to the preservation of the ship, prompting the team to develop new technologies to combat this threat.
Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard also delved into the history of the Titanic, exploring the social and cultural norms of the day that ultimately led to the disaster. Viewers were given a glimpse into the lives of the passengers and crew aboard the ship through stories such as Miriam and Anna, two sisters who survived the break-up of the Titanic, and the remarkable story of a chastity belt that made its way onto the ship's manifest.
Throughout the series, Ballard and his team of specialists shared their passion for ocean and marine preservation, showcasing how the technologies they use for Titanic exploration can be applied to research at a global level. One example concerned the ocean's plastic pollution problem, with the team using their technology to search for debris and survey the impact of the garbage on the marine ecosystem.
Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard was a testament to the personal and emotional impact that the Titanic has had on so many individuals and cultures around the world. Through the use of cutting-edge technology, viewers were able to see how archeology and oceanography can work together to both preserve and uncover the mysteries of the deep.
In conclusion, Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard was a fascinating documentary that brought the RMS Titanic back to life more than 100 years after its sinking. The show not only told the story of one of the most famous disaster sites in history but also gave audiences an insight into the technological advances being used to explore and preserve the world's oceans. The ability to learn from the past and preserve the ocean for the future is something that Ballard and his team achieved beautifully in this series.
Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between April 9, 2012 and on National Geographic