Finding The Titanic

Finding The Titanic

By Robert D. Ballard

Scholastic

Copyright 1993

pp.48

    

Finding The Titanic

Nonfiction Informational

     Finding The Titanic is a wonderful, informational book about a tragic accident in America’s history. The book is written by Robert D. Ballard, discoverer of the remains of the Titanic. Mr. Ballard explains in his book how he and his crew discovered the remains of the Titanic as it lay 12,000 feet below the sea. He begins his book in 1985 as he and his crews are getting ready to search for the Titanic. He gives some basic information about what made the ship so special, the sinking, and how and why he is looking for the remains of the ship.

     He then takes the reader on the personal journey of one of the surviving passengers of the ship. Through Rose Becker’s account, the reader can actually feel as if he or she were aboard the amazing ship with her. The description of the ship and the variety of the passengers on board are provided through richly detailed explanations and descriptions by the author. When he describes the sinking as the passengers awaited the arrival of rescue ships, I felt the panic Ruth and her mother must have felt not knowing if they would see each other again. I believe students could connect to this if they have ever been separated from their parents in a crowded place. On each page of the text there are either actual photographs from the time period or an artist’s rendering of the event. Each photograph or painting is accompanied by a caption describing it. The painting of the stern standing straight up in the water is shockingly realistic.

     The last two chapters of the book describe the author’s search and discovery of the ship below the sea. He describes the technology he used to uncover the remains and how careful the crew had to be not to disturb the wreckage. Throughout the chapter, there are actual photographs of him and his findings. In some he compares the photo of the wreckage to an actual photo of the ship before it sank. I think this helps the students to relate to what they are actually seeing below the surface of the ocean.

     Mr. Ballard ends the book with a note about the reverence and respect one should pay to the resting place of those who lost their lives aboard the ship. He was upset when another group of people brought some remains of the ship to the surface; he believes all remains should be left in peace at the site of the sinking. This made me think of the World Trade Center and the debate that has followed about what is now considered sacred ground. I believe I agree with Mr. Ballard that the remains of the Titanic, although historical and educational, should be left undisturbed at the bottom of the ocean to let those who lost their lives rest in peace.