The wrecked shell of the Titanic is falling apart on the ocean floor, with recent images showing the effects of slow decay. A large section of the railing made iconic by James Cameron’s film has now fallen off the vessel’s shell. In July, deep ocean imaging experts, oceanographers, scientists, and historians collaborated to launch RMS Titanic Inc’s first expedition to the wreck site since 2010. The expedition utilised cutting-edge technology for imaging and high-resolution photography to document the site and preserve the Titanic’s legacy for future generations and scientific study.
The British ocean liner sank on April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg during its maiden voyage from England to the USA, resulting in the loss of 1,500 lives. Remotely operated vehicles surveying the wreck site have captured images revealing new insights into the site’s condition. Photos show the slow decay, particularly on the ship’s bow, immortalised in Cameron’s 1997 film. RMS Titanic Inc. noted the fall of a 15-foot-long section of railing from the bow’s forecastle deck in recent imagery.
The expedition team expressed sadness over this loss and the ongoing decay of the ship. The wreck is located 12,500 feet below the ocean’s surface in the Northern Atlantic Ocean, approximately 400 miles south of Newfoundland. While some view the site as a grave and believe it should remain untouched, RMS Titanic Inc. aims to preserve the ship’s legacy through artifact recovery, educational programs, research initiatives, and collaborations.
The expedition also plans to salvage a bronze statue from the site, named the Diana of Versailles, which was part of the Titanic’s First Class Lounge. Images from the expedition reveal that the ship’s metal is being eaten away by microbes, and the recent laser scan shows the fallen railing lying on the sea floor beside the ship. With salvage rights granted by a US Federal Court, RMS Titanic Inc. is the sole entity authorised for recovery operations at the site, in a bid to document and preserve what remains of the historic vessel.