Latest expedition unveils hidden secrets of the Titanic wreck

The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, and since then, it has captured the attention of scientists worldwide. Numerous expeditions have ventured 2.4 miles into the Atlantic to observe how time affects the legendary vessel. The latest images, provided by RMS Titanic Inc., offer a remarkable view of how the ship has withstood the test of time. Alongside the wreck, a statue once thought to be destroyed has been rediscovered.

Over 112 years have passed since the Titanic's ill-fated maiden voyage. During that time, several missions have descended to the Atlantic Ocean's depths to document the shipwreck's remains. Recently, RMS Titanic Inc. – which holds exclusive salvage rights to the wreck, according to IFL Science – conducted a 20-day expedition. The team captured an unprecedented two million high-quality images of the Titanic, providing insights never before seen.

The expedition team employed cutting-edge technology to navigate around the Titanic’s wreckage and record as many details as possible. Among the equipment used were LiDAR devices, which utilise laser light and sonar and magnetometers to measure and detect magnetic field variations.

The new images from this 20-day mission revealed two significant details. IFL Science reports that the team successfully photographed the railings surrounding the ship’s bow deck. In images taken as recently as 2022, the railings were still relatively intact, but the latest photos show that part of the structure has now been destroyed.

One of the most astonishing discoveries from this recent dive was the unanticipated sighting of a long-lost statue. The crew's camera captured the "Diana of Versailles," a statue last seen in 1986. Since then, experts believed it had been destroyed and lost forever. The statue is a significant find, as the replica was displayed in the Titanic’s first-class lounge and is modelled after the larger statue of Diana, known in Greek mythology as Artemis.

Tomasina Ray of RMS Titanic Inc. expressed excitement and sorrow over the findings.

"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," she told IFL Science.

The Titanic sank in the North Atlantic in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. The ship carried 2,240 passengers and crew, but only 711 survived. The wreck now lies approximately 435 miles off the eastern coast of Canada, resting at a depth of about 2.4 miles.