Searching for the Titanic

    The Titanic sped across the Atlantic Ocean. The sky glittered with stars. The sea was as still as glass.  

    This was the Titanic’s first voyage. But the ship was already famous. It was big, beautiful, and built from strong steel. People said it was “unsinkable.”

    Until . . . disaster struck.

    At 11:40 p.m., the Titanic hit a huge iceberg. The ship’s thick metal side tore open. Cold seawater rushed in. The Titanic was doomed. There weren’t enough lifeboats for everyone. More than 1,500 people died.

    Less than three hours later, the ship disappeared into the North Atlantic Ocean. Would it ever be seen again?

    The Titanic sped across the Atlantic Ocean. The sky glittered with stars. The sea was as still as glass. 

    This was the Titanic’s first voyage, but already the ship was famous. It was big, beautiful, and built from the strongest steel. Many believed it to be “unsinkable.”

    Until . . . disaster struck.

    At 11:40 p.m., the Titanic hit a massive iceberg. The ship’s thick metal side tore open, and icy seawater rushed in. The Titanic was doomed. There weren’t enough lifeboats for everyone on board. More than 1,500 people died.

    Less than three hours later, the Titanic disappeared into the black waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Would it ever be seen again?

    As time went by, new inventions helped people explore the ocean. In 1960, two scientists climbed into a tiny submarine called a “submersible.” They went 7 miles down in the Pacific Ocean.  

    The men didn’t see much. It was almost pitch-black underwater. But their submersible was strong. They made it back alive—and inspired many people. 

    One of those inspired people was Robert Ballard. He grew up to become an oceanographer—a scientist who studies the sea. By the late 1970s, Ballard had spent more time in submersibles than any other human. On his journeys, he found amazing wonders. He saw eyeless fish and human-sized worms. 

    But there was something else Ballard wanted to find: the Titanic.

    Over time, new inventions helped people explore the ocean. In 1960, two scientists got into a tiny submarine called a “submersible.” They went 7 miles down in the Pacific Ocean.  

    The men didn’t see much. It was dark underwater. But they made it back alive. And they inspired many people.

    One person they inspired was Robert Ballard. He grew up to become an oceanographer. That’s a scientist who studies the sea. By the late 1970s, he had spent a lot of time in submersibles. 

    On his journeys, he saw amazing things. He saw fish that had no eyes. He saw human-sized worms.

    But there was something else Ballard wanted to find: the Titanic.

    As time went by, new inventions helped make ocean exploration possible. In 1960, two scientists climbed into a tiny submarine called a “submersible” and traveled 7 miles down in the Pacific Ocean.  

    The men couldn’t see much in the nearly pitch-black depths of the ocean, but their strong submersible kept them safe. They made it back to the surface alive—and inspired many people.

    One of those inspired people was Robert Ballard. He grew up to become an oceanographer—a scientist who studies the sea. By the late 1970s, Ballard had spent more time in submersibles than any other human. He found astonishing wonders, including eyeless fish and human-sized worms, on his undersea journeys.

    But there was something Ballard especially wanted to find: the Titanic.

    Ballard and his team got to work on the submersible, which they called Argo. But Ballard hadn’t forgotten about the Titanic. In 1984, he decided to try again to find the shipwreck. 

    On August 24, 1985, Ballard and his team were back on a ship in the North Atlantic. This time they had Argo. They sent Argo down to the bottom of the ocean. Its cameras clicked. 

    In a ship above, Ballard and his team watched as images appeared on the screen. Argo worked perfectly!

    In the coming days, Argo took pictures and videos of many things. There were huge holes in the sea bottom. There were plants that could grow without light. But unfortunately, there was no sign of the Titanic.

    Ballard and his team worked on the submersible, which they called Argo. But Ballard still wanted to find the Titanic. He decided to try again.

    On August 24, 1985, Ballard and his team were back on a ship in the North Atlantic. This time they had Argo. 

    They sent Argo to the bottom of the ocean. Its cameras clicked.

    In a ship above, the team watched as images appeared on the screen. Argo worked!

    In the coming days, Argo took pictures and videos of many things. There were huge holes in the sea bottom. There were plants that could grow without light. But there was no sign of the Titanic.

    Even as Ballard and his team worked on the new submersible—which they called Argo—Ballard continued to think about the Titanic. In 1984, he decided to make another attempt to find the shipwreck.

    On August 24, 1985, Ballard and his team were once again on a ship in the North Atlantic—but this time, they had Argo. They sent Argo down to the bottom of the ocean. Its cameras clicked.

    In a ship above, Ballard and his team watched as images appeared on the screen. Argo worked perfectly!

    In the coming days, Argo took pictures and videos of many marvels, such as huge holes in the sea bottom and plants that could grow without light. But unfortunately, there was no sign of the Titanic.