I am looking for the quote by Dr. Ballard (Discoverer of Titanic) where he says something about being married to titanic before you know it and you can never let her go. Can anyone help me find an Internet reference or a reference in any publication.

-- Brian D. (bdamboise@sprint.ca), July 01, 1999

Answers

Hello Brian:

The quote is (at least partially) and is so true:

"....before you realize it, you're living with her.
Before you realize it, you're married to her.
And let me tell you something:
There is no divorcing the Titanic. Ever."

-Dr. Robert Ballard

Regards,
Peter

{added blockquote, line breaks}

-- Peter Nivling (pcnivling@capecod.net), July 02, 1999.

Excuse me, I think I'm going to be sick...

-- Matthew (mdpope@hotmail.com), July 05, 1999.

And why might that be?

Regards,
Peter

-- Peter Nivling (pcnivling@capecod.net), July 06, 1999.

Because I was in a bad mood and have very little time for people who still attribute gender to inanimate objects - sorry.

-- Matthew (mdpope@hotmail.com), July 10, 1999.

As a MAN, I find it offensive that so many young females feel free to call me a "guy", yet become offend if I refer to them as something other than a "woman". I'm sorry, but anyone half my age is still a "girl" or a "gal" to me, especially if they refuse to extend to me the same respect they demand for themselves.

(See how easy it is to be too touchy about gender issues these days? And see how ridiculous it can sound? My suggestion to Matthew: LIGHTEN UP! I'm sure Ballard intended no offense.)

-- Dalton (DFDalton@msn.com), July 10, 1999.

Hello Matthew:

I hope you're in a better mood! Ships and boats have been refered to in female terms for eons, even if the craft has a male name. It's certainly not done in a demeaning manner in any sense. I don't know of any female that has been insulted by this age old tradition. Dr. Ballard's remark was illustrating how a casual interest in Tianic usually developes into an attachment and a clear, strong relationship that never ends.

Regards,
Peter

-- Peter Nivling (pcnivling@capecod.net), July 11, 1999.

Sorry folks... I was in a bad mood and the gender thing was the only thing I could think of that could justify my finding Dr Ballard's quote a bit schmaltzy. Can we forget this ever happened?

-- Matthew (mdpope@hotmail.com), July 11, 1999.

Yep. I sure can! Have a good night!

Regards,
Peter

-- Peter Nivling (pcnivling@capecod.net), July 11, 1999.

As a woman & as the daughter of a naval commander; I am thrilled that we call ships in the feminine gender. I consider it a real compliment to our sex & not derogatory in any sense. But I would like to know if Dr. Robert Ballard has been, or is currently married to anything or any

-- Karianne (KnitterCaptain@AOL.com), March 09, 2003.