Robert Ballard Biography
Robert Ballard is a professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island and a retired United States Navy officer. He is mostly recognized for his work in underwater archaeology and archaeology of shipwrecks. He made the discoveries of the wrecks of the RMS Titanic, battleship Bismarck, and the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.
Additionally, he discovered John F. Kennedy’s PT-109 and visited Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana. He joined the search for the iconic lost pilot in the new National Geographic special Expedition Amelia in 2002. He was aboard the French research ship Le Suit. it was using the side scan sonar SAR to search for the Titanic’s wreck in the summer of 1985.
In 1982, he had approached the Navy about his new deep sea underwater robot craft the Argo, and his search for the Titanic. Though the Navy had no interest in financing the research, they were interested in finding out what happened to their missing submarine. Later, they concluded that Argo was their best chance to do so. The Navy later funded the search with a condition that the two sunken submarines would be investigated first.
Robert Ballard Titanic
During the search for the two submarines, he made an important discovery that they had imploded from the immense pressure at depth. With this discovery, he knew that the Titanic imploded from pressure as well as the two submarines. He concluded that it too must have also left a scattered debris trail. On September 1, 1985, the debris was sighted and finally, a boiler was sighted, and the hull was found.
His team made a general search of the Titanic’s exterior, noting its conditions. They confirmed that after the Titanic had split into two, the stern was in far worse shape. Knorr’s fame was now assured but he was needed for other scientific pursuits which meant that Ballard’s team did not have much time. In 1998, he published the Book, Discovery Of The Titanic ( Exploring The Greatest Of All Lost Ships)
Moreover, he purposed to determine whether the German Battleship Bismarck had been sunk by the British or was scuttled by its crew. Three weeks after the expedition, his 21-year-old son was killed in a car accident. His son had accompanied him on this expedition. However, Robert published a book about the Bismarck quest, The Discovery Of The Bismarck. In 1989, the discovery was documented for National Geographic where it was indicated that the ship had been damaged by torpedoes and shells from British Ships.
To sum it up, Robert attended the University of Hawaii where he graduated with a degree in geophysics. Later in 1967, he was called to active duty while he was still working towards a Ph.D. in marine geology at the University of Southern California. He then requested to move from the Army to the Navy as an oceanographer. In 1974, he received his Ph.D. in marine geology and geophysics at the University of Rhode Island.
Robert Ballard Age
How old is Robert Ballard? Robert is 81 years old as of 2023. He was born on June 30, 1942, in Wichita, Kansas, United States. Moreover, he celebrates his birthday on June 30 every year and his zodiac sign is Cancer.
Robert Ballard Family
Ballard was born in Wichita, Kansas, and brought up in Pacific Beach, San Diego, California, the United States of America. His father is of British Heritage while his mother is of German heritage. However, he has not shared the names and occupations of his parents. He has also not shared if he has any siblings. Once he shares this information it will be updated and you will be informed.
Robert Ballard Wife
Is Robert married? Ballard is married to Marjorie Jacobsen who is a medical receptionist. They got married in 1966 and have two children namely Todd and Douglas. However, they got divorced in 1990. January 1991, Robert got married to Barbara Earle and they have two children namely William and Emily. In July 1989, his son died in a car accident at the age of 21. This was three weeks after his son had accompanied him on his expedition to discover the sunken German battleship, Bismarck.
Robert Ballard Height
Ballard stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches tall. Currently, he has not shared his exact weight but it will soon be updated since it is under review.
Robert Ballard’s Net Worth
Ballard has been able to accumulate an approximate net worth of $10 million. He has accumulated this fortune from his successful career as a retired United States Navy officer and a professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island.
Robert Ballard Books
- The Discovery Of The Bismarck
- Finding The Titanic
- The Discovery Of The Titanic
- Lost Liners
- The Ocean Realm
- The Lost Wreck Of The Isis
- Return To Midway
- Mystery Of The Ancient Seafarers
- Exploration