The Titanic, the once-majestic luxury liner that sank in 1912, is slowly disappearing into history. A recent dive to the wreck, resting deep in the North Atlantic, shows just how much the ship is falling apart.
One of the most striking discoveries from this latest expedition is the damage to the Titanic’s famous bow.
This is the spot where Jack and Rose, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the movie Titanic, stood with their arms outstretched. Now, a four-and-a-half-meter section of that iconic railing has broken off and lies on the ocean floor.
Photo: Paramount Home Entertainment
The company responsible for the Titanic wreck, RMS Titanic, shared this news, reminding everyone that the ship is steadily decaying.
"After 112 years on the bottom of the North Atlantic, the harsh ocean environment is taking its toll," the company said.
A Race Against Time
During the expedition in July and August, which was the first in over a decade, more than two million photos of the wreck were taken.
The Titanic was once believed to be unsinkable. Then it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage and sank, taking about 1,500 lives with it. The wreck was found in 1985, nearly 4,000 meters below the surface.
But amidst the decay, there was a glimmer of hope.
The expedition uncovered some valuable artifacts, including a bronze statue of the Roman goddess Diana. This statue, which once sat in a first-class lounge, had been lost when the ship broke apart. Now, for the first time in 112 years, its "beautiful and delicate" details can be seen again.
The Inevitable Decay
The slow breakdown of the Titanic has worried researchers for years.
Tiny microorganisms are eating away at the ship’s metal, and ocean currents are causing further damage. Despite efforts to document and preserve the wreck, the decay is unstoppable.
RMS Titanic, the company managing the site, has been organizing expeditions since the 1990s. Over the years, they’ve recovered and restored many items, from jewelry to coins, which are now displayed for the public to see. But as time goes on, the wreck continues to deteriorate.
Despite the inevitable decay, researchers are more determined than ever to capture as much of the Titanic’s story as they can before it’s lost to the sea.
