It’s the image most people imagine when they think of the Titanic: the memorable scene from the 1997 movie where Jack shouts, “I’m the king of the world!” The iconic bow of Titanic is legendary, and now it’s making headlines again for a new reason. An expedition this summer to the Titanic wrecksite revealed the once-intact railing is now missing a 15-foot section.
Researchers from RMS Titanic, Inc., the Georgia-based company that organized the expedition, believe the railing fell due to natural decay. The bacteria Halamonas titanicae, which breaks down iron and steel, contributes to the once-grand Ship’s deterioration. The company compared photographs taken during their 2010 expedition to images collected this summer to investigate not only the bow but also other areas of the ship.
Through underwater research and artifact recovery expeditions, RMS Titanic, Inc. works to protect the Titanic’s legacy. Learn more about RMSTs preservation and recovery efforts of the Titanic wrecksite at expedition.discovertitanic.com.
Experience the story of Titanic told through hundreds of authentic artifacts only at TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition, book now at discovertitanic.com.
