Long-Lost Titanic Statue Rediscovered in First Salvage Expedition Since 2010

During its first expedition since 2010, RMS Titanic Inc. rediscovered a bronze statue thought to be lost forever. The find, alongside other changes at the Titanic wreck site, marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to preserve the ship's legacy.

RMS Titanic Inc. Unveils Long-Lost Bronze Statue During First Expedition to Wreck Site Since 2010

One of the discoveries made by the company with salvage rights to the Titanic wreck site on its first expedition in many years is a bronze statue that has yet to be seen in decades and is believed to be lost for good.

RMS Titanic Inc., a Georgia-based company that owns the legal rights to the 112-year-old debris, completed its first expedition since 2010 and released images from the expedition on September 2. The photos depict a site still evolving over a century after its construction.

The U.S. Coast Guard investigated the implosion of the Titan, an experimental submersible owned by a different corporation, in June 2023. This investigation led to the expedition to the remote region of the North Atlantic Ocean, where the Titanic sank. Paul-Henri Nargeolet, the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, was among the five individuals who perished in the Titan submersible catastrophe.

In a statement, RMS Titanic stated that the results of this summer's expedition "display a bittersweet blend of preservation and loss." According to the company, the rediscovery of the statue Diana of Versailles, last observed in 1986, was a standout moment. The statue now boasts a distinct and contemporary image.

RMS Titanic Inc. Discovers Guardrail Collapse at Wreck Site Amid Efforts to Preserve Historic Artifacts

RMS Titanic reported (via Fortune) that a substantial portion of the guardrail that encircles the ship's bow's forecastle deck had collapsed. The company stated that the guardrail was still in place as recently as 2022.

“The discovery of the statue of Diana was an exciting moment. But we are saddened by the loss of the iconic Bow railing and other evidence of decay which has only strengthened our commitment to preserving Titanic’s legacy,” said Tomasina Ray, director of collections for RMS Titanic.

The crew returned to Providence, Rhode Island, on August 9 after spending 20 days at the site. The company stated that they had captured over 2 million of the highest-resolution images of the site.

Additionally, the crew utilized equipment to comprehensively map the wreck and its debris field, which is expected to enhance comprehension of the site, according to RMS Titanic. The subsequent phase involves processing the data to facilitate its dissemination to the scientific community. This will enable the identification of "historically significant and at-risk artifacts for safe recovery in future expeditions," according to a statement from the company.

The company declared it had an exceptionally significant mission before the expedition following Nargeolet's death.

A public hearing will be conducted later in September to discuss the Coast Guard's investigation.

OceanGate, the operator of the Titan sub, faced an unlawful death lawsuit from Nargeolet's family following the implosion. The lawsuit, filed in a Washington state court, has not been publicly addressed by OceanGate.