Titanic's iconic railings collapse: A symbol of inevitable decay

The wreck of the Titanic, resting at the bottom of the Atlantic for over a hundred years, has always fascinated scientists and history enthusiasts. The iconic image of the ship's bow emerging from the deep, dark waters symbolizes the disaster. "It doesn't look like that any more" said Tomasina Ray, director of collections at RMS Titanic Inc., responsible for the expedition.

The Titanic, which sank in 1912, is undergoing gradual yet inevitable degradation. During the latest expedition conducted this summer, it was discovered that one of the most recognisable parts of the ship—a section of the railings—had fallen to the bottom.

The railings were a part of the structure and a symbol, immortalised in memorable movie scenes, such as in the film "Titanic," where Jack and Rose stood on the ship's bow. The disappearance of this segment is another reminder that the Titanic's wreck is slowly but inexorably deteriorating.

For decades, the bow has been a testament to the Titanic's strength and pride. The drastic change in the ship's famous silhouette serves as a reminder that the vessel is eroding, reinforcing our resolve to preserve its legacy," said Tomasina Ray, director of collections at RMS Titanic Inc., the company responsible for the expedition.

According to the research team, a section of the railings, approximately 5 metres long, detached from the wreck within the last two years. As recently as 2022, during an earlier expedition, the railings were still in place, though already showing signs of damage.

At some point, the metal just could not hold anymore and broke off," added Ray, cited by BBC.

The Titanic, which rests at a depth of 3,800 metres, is constantly exposed to microorganisms that slowly consume the metal structure. Previous expeditions, including those led by renowned explorer Victor Vescovo, have shown that some parts of the wreck, such as the officers' cabins, are beginning to collapse, destroying many iconic elements of the ship, such as the captain's bathtub.

According to Tomasina Ray, it is hard to predict how long the wreck will remain in its current state. The team carefully monitors these changes.

This year's expedition by RMS Titanic Inc. lasted from July to August. It resulted in gathering over two million photos and 24 hours of high-resolution footage, documenting both the wreck and the surrounding debris field. The company now plans to create a detailed 3D model of the entire Titanic's resting place, which will allow for an even more precise study of changes in the wreck's structure.

During the expedition, another remarkable discovery was made—a figurine of Diana from Versailles, which once adorned the first-class lounge of the Titanic. This bronze figurine, measuring 60 centimetres, was first photographed in 1986 by Robert Ballard, the Titanic wreck's discoverer, but its location has remained unknown since then. James Penca, a Titanic researcher and host of the "Witness Titanic" podcast, compared its finding to searching for a needle in a haystack.

The Diana figurine was one of the most beautiful decorative elements on the Titanic, and its discovery after so many years has stirred great emotions. Penca emphasises that this is an argument for further research and exploration of the wreck, even though some believe the Titanic should remain untouched.

To bring Diana back so people can see her with their own eyes – the value in that, to spark a love of history, of diving, of conservation, of shipwrecks, of sculpture, I could never leave that on the ocean floor, said Penca.

RMS Titanic Inc. holds the rights to salvage artefacts from the Titanic wreck. In recent years, the company has recovered thousands of items that are exhibited worldwide. The company plans to return to the ship's resting place next year to recover more artefacts, including the Diana figurine.