The bloke who found the Titanic is now planning on sending robots down to protect it as he says our fascination with the wreck is actually killing it.
Robert Ballard, a professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island, is seeking to apply for a permit from US authorities to send robots down to the wreck of the ill-fated Titanic. This is all because the ocean liner has been seriously damaged over the last 20 years. It’s rusting like you wouldn’t believe.
According to the Daily Mail, the robots purpose will be to act as ‘sentries’ to monitor visits from ‘tourist submarines’ and to keep an eye on how badly the boat is being damaged. But it all sounds like a bit of a wally idea if you ask us (or should that be WALL.E?).
According to Prof Ballard, since he found the wreck back in 1985, bacteria colonies, suspected to have been fed by human waste and rubbish, have been eating away at the steel hull. So next time you go to ‘sink a ship’ spare a thought for the wrecks that are already in the oceans.
Prof Ballard even went as far as saying that the Titanic is “being killed by love”. This news comes as the world remembers the 100th anniversary of the ships disastrous maiden voyage on April 15, 1912. Lots of celebrations and what not are taking place in the North over the coming week, so if you’re that way inclined why not head up for a gander.
