What's happened
RMS Titanic Inc. has completed its first expedition to the Titanic wreck since 2010, uncovering significant decay and rediscovering the bronze statue 'Diana of Versailles.' The expedition, which took place over 20 days, highlights ongoing preservation challenges as the wreck continues to deteriorate.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, RMS Titanic Inc. described the findings as a "bittersweet mix of preservation and loss," highlighting both the rediscovery of the statue and the loss of the railing. The New York Times noted that the expedition did not retrieve artifacts due to legal pressures and ethical concerns, emphasizing a growing sentiment among scientists that the wreck should remain undisturbed as a memorial. The Independent reported on the emotional impact of the discoveries, with director Tomasina Ray stating, "The bow of Titanic is just iconic... and it doesn’t look like that anymore." This sentiment reflects a broader concern about the ongoing decay of the wreck and its cultural significance.
How we got here
The Titanic sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg, leading to the loss of over 1,500 lives. Since its discovery in 1985, various expeditions have aimed to document and recover artifacts, raising ethical questions about the site as a gravesite.
Common question
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What Did the Latest Titanic Expedition Discover About Its Decay?
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More on these topics
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RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner operated by the White Star Line that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912, after striking an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City.
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Titan, previously called Cyclops 2, was a submersible created and operated by underwater exploration company OceanGate. It was the first privately-owned submersible with a claimed maximum depth of 4,000 m, and the first completed crewed submersible with a
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The Diana of Versailles or Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt (French: Artémis, déesse de la chasse) is a slightly over-lifesize marble statue of the Roman goddess Diana (Greek: Artemis) with a deer. It is currently located in the Musée du Louvre, Paris. The