Titanic artifact rediscovered in wreck site after Titan sub tragedy
- A bronze statue from the Titanic, believed lost, was found during a recent expedition.
- This dive was the first to the wreck since the Titan submersible disaster in June 2023, which killed five people.
- The discovery emphasizes the need for preserving Titanic's legacy amidst ongoing investigations.
A recent expedition to the Titanic wreck site has led to the rediscovery of a bronze statue, previously thought to be lost. This dive marks the first visit to the wreck since the tragic implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals. The US Coast Guard is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this disaster involving the OceanGate vessel. The research team from RMS Titanic located a miniature replica of the 'Diana of Versailles' statue, which was last seen in 1986. This statue, believed to be a lost Greek bronze sculpture from 325 BC, was originally displayed on the ship's first-class lounge fireplace mantle. The team expressed excitement over the discovery, although they noted the deterioration of other artifacts, including the iconic bow railing. The expedition lasted 20 days, during which the team captured over two million images of the wreck site. They are now in the process of analyzing this data to share their findings with both the public and scientific communities. This marks the ninth expedition to the Titanic, with previous missions recovering approximately 5,500 artifacts. The Titanic sank in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg while en route from Southampton to New York City. The upcoming public hearing regarding the Titan sub disaster will provide further insights into the investigation led by the Coast Guard, highlighting the ongoing interest in the Titanic's legacy and the preservation of its artifacts.