titanic underwater tour

Titanic Tours: What To Know About These Underwater Excursions

With today's advanced technology, it's easier than ever to discover new ways to explore shipwrecks, such as the Titanic, with tours like these.

It's safe to say that when an iceberg pierced the Titanic on its maiden voyage just over 100 years ago, no one was thinking about turning the shipwreck into a tourist attraction. But now, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the sinking, some travel companies are offering tours of the site. Visitors can take an expensive excursion or they can simply look on Google, where the wreck is pictured in all its rustic, 3-D glory.

It's a surreal sight ― especially if you know that when the Titanic went down in 1912 it claimed more than 1,500 lives. But is visiting the ship such a good idea? Absolutely, yes!

Package Tours On Titanic Shipwreck Underwater Excursions

There are now two companies offering underwater tours of the Titanic's wreckage. Bluefish and OceanGate, which has its headquarters in Everett Washington, both offer dives to the site that cost roughly $60,000- $105,129 per person, not including airfare or lodging. But what do you get for this price? Here's what to know about the tours:

Now that the wreckage is covered with silt again and no longer clear enough for photographs, some pictures taken on previous dives have been reproduced on tours' brochures. Up-close views of Titanic's exterior can also be seen in the James Cameron documentary Titanic.

Bluefish's brochures claim that "the wreck is eminently photographable providing an opportunity for multiple dive photography." OceanGate's website notes that there are at least a dozen friezes from the ship above water. Both tour companies are adamant about protecting the site and the body of water around it, possibly due to the controversy that arose last year when one company was using a ship to drop tourists onto the wreckage.

A Bluefish video demonstrates what it's like inside the sub by dropping a GoPro camera into an empty one as well as dead still sharks. It also shows some footage of Titanic itself before it was covered up with silt and debris.

Tourists will use OceanGate's custom-built submersibles made out of titanium, not unlike those used for space missions like Apollo 13. The sub is big enough for three passengers and has a window, touchscreen monitors for navigation, a pressure gauge, and all the equipment that tourists will need to live.

Both companies will take precautions like deploying a safety diver. They also plan to check guests' lungs for signs of pneumonia before each dive to ensure that they are healthy enough.

The Titanic sank in 1912 and many people died, but the wreck was never declared a cemetery or war gravesite, so knocking on it is prohibited. Both companies also request that tourists don't take chunks of the ship as souvenirs, which has happened before with other famous wrecks like the Lusitania.

RELATED: This Is What The Menu On The Titanic Would Have Looked Like, Compared To Cruise Menus Today

5 Things To Take Note About the Titanic Wreck Site

Once you’ve decided on which company to go through to visit this sunken piece of history, the basic accommodations are all set! While the entire site itself is a historical wonder, there are a few things to note. Below are different things to be aware of before you take a dive.

What To Bring With You When Visiting The Underwater Wreckage

According to Blue Marble Private, divers should bring nothing larger than a handbag with them on the excursion. Their kit will include a snorkel plus mask, computer, and regulator, wetsuit, and boots.

What To Expect When Diving At The Site Of The Titanic Wreck

Divers will be able to explore the three most important parts of the wreckage, including its bow section, stern and engine room. Each area has plenty of marine life, so you might feel as though you're swimming through a fishbowl.

RELATED: What Really Happened To The Titanic's Captain, And Did He Survive Like Some People Claimed?

What To Know When Diving At The Site Of The Titanic Wreck

Dive trips are run with a maximum of 12 divers at one time, and the company cautions that diving can be strenuous if you're not fit or healthy enough for it. This is why they recommend medical checks before each excursion.

What Not To Do When Visiting The Underwater Wreckage Of The Titanic

You must report any sightings of the wreck to the government agencies responsible for its protection, i.e., the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency (MCA) in Belfast. You should also respect all regulations that surround this precious archeological site.

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What To Expect From The Marine Life At The Site Of The Titanic Wreck

Titanic wreck excursions are perfect for snorkelers and scuba divers alike , and visitors will be able to reap the benefits of both in one visit. There are plenty of fish to see if you're snorkeling, and you might even spot some whale sharks, too.

What To Know About The Safety Measures In Place For The Tour

According to the Titanic wreck tour operator's website, there are a number of safety measures in place to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable experience. These include two divers per dive, a support crew on the surface, and medical staff. Visitors should always bring a whistle with them, especially since it is an international sign of distress. A knife and glow stick will also be useful in an emergency.

Titanic wreck trips are a unique and exciting way to learn about the history of one of the most famous vessels to ever sail the seas, which is why they're so popular among Titanic enthusiasts as well as people who have never seen it before. They're also great for anyone who loves the water since it's a chance to explore something man-made while enjoying the natural beauty of an underwater ecosystem. The fact that you can set foot where no other human has for nearly 100 years only adds to the appeal, making this one of the most fascinating excursions you can take.

NEXT: What The Titanic Looks Like Now Vs The Day It Sank

Here's What We Know About OceanGate's Sub That Tours Titanic—Using 1 Button

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A submersible carrying five passengers to see the wreck of the Titanic was reported missing Monday morning—a vessel that’s been described as “experimental,” is operated by a single button and made its first successful dive to the shipwreck in 2021.

OceanGate's 22-foot Titan submersible sits on a titanium platform underwater.

The subversive was designed and is run by OceanGate Expeditions, an ocean exploration company founded in 2009 with a fleet of submersibles intended to help tourists experience deep-sea diving.

The vessel, called the Titan , can dive more than 13,000 feet and carries five people to the Titanic wreck off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, and has been on successful trips in 2021 and 2022, according to the company’s website.

In 2022, CBS reporter David Pogue ventured on the Titan to see the Titanic—he had to sign a waiver before diving that said the submersible was “experimental” and “had not been approved by any regulatory body.”

Inside, the 22-foot-long submersible is about the size of a minivan, Pogue reported, and has a single porthole at one end through which passengers can view the wreckage.

The Titan is operated from the inside by a single round button that turns from red to green when pushed: “It should be like an elevator,” CEO Stockton Rush told Pogue in 2022, adding: “It shouldn’t take a lot of skill.”

Later in the video, Rush points to some piping inside the vessel saying he purchased it from RV supplier Camping World, and says “we run the whole thing” using a video game controller—Pogue also shows the vessel uses construction pipes as ballast.

Rush clarifies the pressure vessel, which maintains pressure and air quality to sustain human life miles under the sea, is “not macgyvered at all” and is developed with the help of Boeing and NASA.

Forbes reached out to OceanGate for comment.

Key Background

OceanGate has been attempting missions since at least 2017 , and successfully reached the Titanic wreck for the first time in 2021, and then again in 2022. It has 18 expeditions planned starting this summer of 2023, according to its website. Missions take approximately 10 days, eight of which are at sea, and cost passengers $250,000 each. The five-person expeditions usually include three paying passengers, along with two crew members to lead the group. The only known passenger among the five currently missing is Hamish Harding, a British businessman and aviator whose family confirmed he was on the expedition Monday. In social media posts Sunday, Harding said the group had reached the spot above the Titanic and planned to dive at 4 a.m. Monday morning. This week’s expedition was “likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023” because Newfoundland experienced a historically bad winter, Harding said on Instagram. A search and rescue crew was dispatched Monday morning after the group was reported missing.

What is submersible tourism? The Titanic expedition, explained.

How common are deep-sea expeditions like the Titan’s? Where else do submersibles go?

Seeing the wreck of the Titanic firsthand is a journey.

One must board a submersible vessel about the size of a minivan built to withstand the pressure of descending nearly two and a half miles into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean . It takes about two hours to reach the sunken ship and another two to get back to the surface, plus time for exploration.

And even with a price tag of a quarter of a million dollars, there has been no shortage of people with interest for such an adventure. Philippe Brown, founder of the luxury travel company Brown and Hudso , said there’s a long wait list for the OceanGate Expeditions submersible experience at the center of the world’s attention. The vessel, called the Titan, vanished Sunday in the North Atlantic with five onboard , triggering a wide-reaching search mission that ended Thursday, when the Coast Guard said a remotely operated vehicle discovered debris from the vessel on the ocean floor. Pieces of the submersible indicated it had imploded in a “catastrophic event," Coast Guard officials said. A spokesperson for OceanGate said the pilot and passengers “have sadly been lost."

For the world’s richest and most intrepid travelers, a submersible trip is not so far-fetched, says Roman Chiporukha, co-founder of Roman & Erica, a travel company for ultrawealthy clients with annual membership dues starting at $100,000.

“These are the people who’ve scaled the seven peaks, they’ve crossed the Atlantic on their own boat,” Chiporukha said. The typical vacation of the ultrawealthy, like a beach getaway on the Italian Riviera or St. Barts, “really doesn’t do it for them,” he added.

That description fits tycoon Hamish Harding , who was among the five people on Titan. An avid adventurer who’s thoroughly explored the South Pole and the Mariana Trench, Harding was also on the fifth spaceflight of Blue Origin , the private space company founded by Jeff Bezos, who owns The Washington Post.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Capt. Hamish Harding (@actionaviationchairman)

Harding and the Titan journey represent the extreme end of the submersible tourism industry, which has been growing in popularity since the 1980s. Ofer Ketter , a longtime submersibles pilot and co-founder of SubMerge , a firm that provides consulting and operations of private submersibles, says such deep-sea journeys are rare in comparison to those in more tropical locations. For example, the luxury tour operator Kensington Tours offers a $700,000, 10-day yacht trip that includes a 600-plus-foot dive in a submersible in the Bahamas to explore the Exumas ocean floor.

Here’s what else to know about the industry.

Deep water, high pressure: Why the Titanic sub search is so complex

Missing Titanic submersible

The latest: After an extensive search, the Coast Guard found debris fields that have been indentified as the Titan submersible. OceanGate, the tour company, has said all 5 passengers are believed dead.

The Titan: The voyage to see the Titanic wreckage is eight days long, costs $250,000 and is open to passengers age 17 and older. The Titan is 22 feet long, weighs 23,000 pounds and “has about as much room as a minivan,” according to CBS correspondent David Pogue. Here’s what we know about the missing submersible .

The search: The daunting mission covers the ocean’s surface and the vast depths beneath. The search poses unique challenges that are further complicated by the depths involved. This map shows the scale of the search near the Titanic wreckage .

The passengers: Hamish Harding , an aviation businessman, aircraft pilot and seasoned adventurer, posted on Instagram that he was joining the expedition and said retired French navy commander Paul-Henri Nargeolet was also onboard. British Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son, Suleman, 19, were also on the expedition, their family confirmed. The CEO of OceanGate , the submersible expedition company, was also on the vessel. Here’s what we know about the five missing passengers.

Here’s How You Can Visit the Wreck of the Titanic—for $125,000

A series of expeditions will take tourists down to the ill-fated ship in 2021

Courtesy of NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island (NOAA/IFE/URI)

You’re probably familiar with the RMS Titanic: in 1912, the world’s largest ocean liner of the day embarked on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York, during which she struck an iceberg, sank, and ultimately took more than 1,500 lives. The Titanic’s final resting place remained a mystery until 1985, when American marine geologist Robert Ballard and French oceanographer Jean-Louis Michel discovered the wreck in the crushing depths of the frigid North Atlantic, nearly 2.5 miles beneath the surface of the sea.

Rather unsurprisingly, visiting the Titanic has become a bucket-list trip for maritime historians, oceanographers, and, well, anyone who has deep enough pockets to go. However, expeditions are rare: only one team has visited the site in-person in the last 15 years. But all that’s about to change.

OceanGate Expeditions , a company that provides well-heeled clients with once-in-a-lifetime underwater experiences, has announced a series of six trips to the Titanic via submersible in 2021. Each has space for nine paying tourists, whose $125,000 tickets will help offset the cost of the expeditions (and put a pretty penny in the pocket of OceanGate owner Stockton Rush).

OceanGate’s expeditions will each run for 10 days out of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Nine tourists, who are actually dubbed “mission specialists” on this expedition, will join the expedition crew on each sailing, and they’ll be expected to participate in the research efforts—this isn’t just a sightseeing affair. OceanGate’s goal is to extensively document the Titanic wreck before it disintegrates entirely due to a deep-sea bacteria that eats iron, which researchers are concerned might happen within the next few decades. As this is a scientific project, mission specialists will have to meet certain physical criteria to ensure their compatibility with the expedition, not to mention training, which includes a test dive.

On each expedition, each mission specialist will be able to partake in a single six- to eight-hour dive to the Titanic via the private Titan submarine, which includes the 90-minute descent and 90-minute ascent. The sub seats five—a pilot, a scientist or researcher, and three mission specialists—and it does have a small, semi-private bathroom for emergencies, in case you were wondering.

Now, it should be known that this isn’t OceanGate’s first attempt to visit the iconic wreck: two previous expeditions had to be scrubbed. (In 2018, the sub was hit by lightning, and its electrical systems were fried, and in 2019, there were issues with sourcing a ship for the expedition.) But hey, perhaps the third time's the charm!

Several international treaties protect the Titanic—the wreck sits in international waters—but their primary goal is to prevent looters and illegal salvage operations from damaging and disrespecting the wreck. However, in terms of tourism, it’s actually perfectly legal to visit the wreck, so long as the expedition doesn’t intrude upon it (i.e., land on the deck or enter the hull.)

“A review of the International Agreement on Titanic, as well as the 2001 UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage, would reveal that non-intrusive visits do not even require a permit or authorization,” said Ole Varmer, a retired legal advisor to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), who was instrumental in negotiating the legal protection of the wreck. “The scope of the prohibition against commercial exploitation of underwater cultural heritage is to prevent unauthorized salvage and looting; it does not include non-intrusive visits regardless of whether they are for-profit or not.”

In terms of OceanGate Expeditions, the company is working with NOAA, the federal agency in charge of implementing the International Agreement on Titanic for U.S.-based Titanic activities, to ensure it follows all protocols set down by that agreement.

There are two major factors to consider regarding ethically visiting the Titanic. First, it’s a memorial site to the lives lost during the disaster, so the wreck should be treated with respect. But that, of course, is true of all memorial sites around the world.

“Speaking as one who visited Titanic’s wreck twice during RMS Titanic, Inc.'s 1993 and 1996 Research and Recovery expeditions, I see nothing unethical about visiting the wreck, nor about helping to defray the significant expense of bringing a visitor to the wreck,” explained Charles Haas, president of the Titanic International Society. “People around the world learn by seeing and visiting. They pay for access to museums, cathedrals, monuments, exhibitions, and, yes, final resting places.”

But second, it’s a fragile piece of cultural heritage. It should be protected—the expedition organizer must take appropriate steps to ensure that it won’t disturb the wreck.

“In the past, submersibles visiting the site by RMS Titanic, Inc. [the only company legally allowed to salvage the wreck], and others have rested on the deck of the hull portions,” says Varmer. “That practice has likely caused some harm and exacerbated the deterioration of the site. Hopefully, that will no longer be practiced or permitted.”

Per OceanGate’s description of its expeditions, the company’s submersible won’t disturb the wreck, so if you have $125,000 lying around, fee; free to spring for the bucket-list trip of 2021!

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International

June 19, 2023 - Search mission underway for missing Titanic tour submersible

By Elise Hammond , Maureen Chowdhury and Mike Hayes, CNN

Our live coverage of the search for the missing Titanic tour submersible has moved here.

OceanGate says it's taking "every step possible" to bring missing submersible crew back to safety

From CNN’s Jackie Wattles

OceanGate Expeditions says it is taking “every step possible” to return the five crew members onboard the missing submersible to safety and focusing its entire search effort on their wellbeing, according to a statement released by the company Monday night.

OceanGate Expeditions is the group that was conducting the expedition to view the wreckage of the Titanic.

“We are deeply grateful for the urgent and extensive assistance we are receiving from multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies as we seek to reestablish contact with the submersible,” the statement read.

Here's the full statement:

“For some time, we have been unable to establish communications with one of our submersible exploration vehicles which is currently visiting the wreck site of the Titanic. Our entire focus is on the wellbeing of the crew and every step possible is being taken to bring the five crew members back safely. We are deeply grateful for the urgent and extensive assistance we are receiving from multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies as we seek to reestablish contact with the submersible. We pray for the safe return of the crew and passengers, and we will provide updates as they are available.”

US Coast Guard to continue surface search for missing submersible throughout the evening

From CNN’s Artemis Moshtaghian

The US Coast Guard tweeted that it will continue to conduct surface searches for the missing submersible throughout the evening.

The Coast Guard tweeted that The Polar Prince, the vessel used to transport the submersible to the site of the Titanic wreckage before the expedition, as well as aerial support from the Air Force’s 106th Rescue Wing will be involved in the surface searches.

Canadian Coast Guard surface and subsurface search, as conducted by Canadian P8 Poseidon aircraft, will continue in the morning, according to the US Coast Guard.

Titanic's fate has long been a source of fascination. Here are some key facts about the luxury liner

From CNN Staff

The port bow railing of the Titanic lies in 12,600 feet of water about 400 miles east of Nova Scotia as photographed as part of a joint scientific and recovery expedition sponsored by the Discovery Channel and RMS Titantic.

The submersible that has gone missing in the North Atlantic was part of an expedition to view the wreckage of the RMS Titanic, perhaps the most famous shipwreck in the world.

More than 100 years after its disastrous maiden voyage, the fate of the luxury liner has long served as a source of fascination , and been the backdrop for countless books, fiction and non-fiction and, of course, the blockbuster movie.

The ship set sail from Southampton, England, to New York on April 10, 1912.

Then, between April 14-15, it hit an iceberg around midnight and sank in less than three hours.

A total of 1,517 people died and 706 survived out of 2,223 passengers and crew, according to the US Senate report on the disaster.

Here's more interesting facts on the Titanic:

The ship: The estimated cost of construction was $7.5 million. At the time, the RMS Titanic was the largest passenger ship afloat. The ship’s length was 882 feet, 9 inches, and it weighed 46,328 tons. Its top speed was 23 knots. The wreckage is located about 350 miles off the southeast coast of Newfoundland.

The cause of the crash: The iceberg punctured five of 16 supposedly watertight compartments designed to hold water in case of a breach to the hull. Investigations at the time blamed Capt. Edward Smith for going too fast in dangerous waters, initial ship inspections that had been done too quickly, insufficient room in the lifeboats for all passengers, and a nearby ship’s failure to help. Many maritime safety reforms were implemented as a result of the findings of the investigations.

Smith went down with the ship, and his body was never recovered.

Key dates post-shipwreck:

September 1, 1985 - Scientists from Woods Hole Deep Submergence LAB in Massachusetts, led by Dr. Robert Ballard, and IFREMER, the French Institute Francais de Recherche pour l’Exploitation des Mers, led by Jean Jarry, locate the wreckage of Titanic.
July 13, 1986 - Ballard and his crew use the manned deep-ocean research submersible Alvin to explore the wreckage. The Alvin is accompanied by a remotely operated vehicle named Jason Jr. to conduct photographic surveys and further inspections.
May 31, 2009 - The last known survivor, Millvina Dean, dies at age 97.
April 8-20, 2012 - The 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s voyage. The MS Balmoral traces the ship’s route from Southampton to New York and holds a memorial service, above the wreck, on April 15.

Aircraft and sonar deployed in search for missing submersible. Here's what we know

From CNN staff

JRCC Halifax has launched a Royal Canadian Air Force Aurora aircraft from Nova Scotia to assist in the aerial search for the submersible.

A search and rescue operation is underway for a missing submersible operated by a company that handles expeditions to the Titanic wreckage off the coast of St John’s, Newfoundland, in Canada.

The vessel has between 70 and 96 hours of life support, officials said Monday afternoon.

Here's what we know so far:

The timeline: The expedition began with a 400-nautical-mile journey to the wreck site, which is about 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The submersible began its descent Sunday morning but lost contact with a crew of Polar Prince , the support ship that transported the vessel to the site, 1 hour and 45 minutes into its descent, officials said. The US Coast Guard was alerted that the submersible was overdue and it launched searches on the surface of the water and launched an aircraft to start conducting aerial and radar searches, Rear Adm. John Mauger said during a news conference Monday.

Here's a map of area:

What we know about the vessel: The submersible, named “Titan,” is 23,000 pounds and made of carbon fiber and titanium, according to the tour operator, OceanGate Expeditions. The 21-foot vessel has life support for up to 96 hours, according to the OceanGate website . Mauger said officials "anticipate that they're somewhere between 70 to the full 96 hours " of oxygen available on the vessel at this point. The Titanic wreckage, discovered in 1985 , sits in two parts at the bottom of the ocean nearly 13,000 feet below the surface.
Who is on board: Five people are in the missing submersible, according to authorities. Businessman Hamish Harding is one of the passengers, according to a social media post by his company, Action Aviation. Typically a pilot, a “content expert” and three paying passengers are on the expeditions, according to the OceanGate website. The cost of joining the eight-day expedition is "from $250,000," according to the operator. Mauger said the Coast Guard is notifying the families of the people on the submersible.
Search efforts: The effort is incorporating aircraft, sonar buoys and "sonar on the ship that is out there to listen for any sounds that we can detect in the water column," Mauger said. The Polar Prince is also assisting with the search, a co-owner said. The Canadian Armed Forces and the US Coast Guard have deployed aircraft to the remote area of the North Atlantic.
What's next: The Coast Guard said its priority is locating the vessel. If crews do find the vessel in the water, then rescue plans will be formed, Mauger said. At that point, the Coast Guard will reach out to the US Navy, the Canadian Armed Forces and private industry partners to assess what "underwater rescue capability might be available," Mauger said.

Businessman Hamish Harding is one of the passengers on the submersible, his company says

From CNN's Paul P. Murphy

Hamish Harding is seen in an image released by the Explorers Club.

Businessman and adventurer Hamish Harding is one of the passengers on the submersible that went missing during a dive to the wreckage of the Titanic, according to a social media post by his company, Action Aviation.

OceanGate, the company conducting the expedition, released a statement Monday confirming it lost contact with the submersible but did not specify who was onboard.

Harding, a British national, was one of the first people to travel the Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean — the deepest known point on Earth.

The United Arab Emirates-based businessman also made headlines in 2019 for being part of a flight crew that broke the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe via both poles. More recently, he was a passenger on Blue Origin’s June 2022 space flight .

Harding posted on Facebook on Saturday about his participation in the expedition.

Harding posted an image of the submersible to his social media accounts on Saturday, June 17.

“I am proud to finally announce that I joined OceanGate Expeditions for their RMS TITANIC Mission as a mission specialist on the sub going down to the Titanic,” the post read.

CNN has reached out to Action Aviation for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

The Explorers Club, a New York-based group of elite explorers and scientists that’s been involved in many of the world’s most prestigious discoveries, confirmed Harding was on the submersible.

President Richard Garriott de Cayeux said he saw Hamish last week and “his excitement about this expedition was palpable,” Cayeux wrote in a statement, “I know he was looking forward to conducting research at the site.”

Harding is one of the founding members of the club.

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told CNN it was aware of reports of a British citizen on the submersible.

“We are in contact with the family of a British man following reports of a missing submarine off the coast of North America,” the spokesperson said.

CNN’s Artemis Moshtaghian contributed reporting to this post.

Canadian Armed Forces mobilize aircraft to assist in search for missing submersible

From CNN’s Paula Newton

The Canadian Armed Forces is deploying an aircraft to assist in the search for the missing submersible near the Titanic wreckage, a spokesperson told CNN.

“A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130 Hercules is preparing to join the search as well,” Len Hickey, a senior public affairs officer for the Canadian Armed Forces, wrote in a statement to CNN.

The US Coast Guard said earlier that it had also deployed aircraft that is searching the surface of the ocean and underwater.

Submersible has 70 to 96 hours of oxygen available, Coast Guard says

US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger said that the submersible has 96 hours of emergency oxygen on board, based on information received from the vessel operator.

The Coast Guard "anticipate that they're somewhere between 70 to the full 96 hours" of oxygen available on the vessel at this point, he said during a news conference Monday.

Priority on Monday is to locate missing Titanic submersible, Coast Guard commander says

Rear Adm. John Mauger speaks during a press conference in Boston on June 19.

Right now the Coast Guard said its priority is locating the missing submersible that didn’t emerge on Sunday after an expedition to the Titanic wreckage.

Rear Adm. John Mauger, the commander of the First Coast Guard District that is in charge of operations, said that if crews do find the vessel in the water, then rescue plans will be formed.

Mauger said the Coast Guard is "reaching out to different partners within the US Navy, within the Canadian Armed Forces and within private industry to understand what underwater rescue capability might be available."

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Highlights from Day One as the search for the missing Titanic submersible continues

Coverage on this live blog has ended. Please click here for the latest updates.

The CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush, was on board and piloting the missing submersible that vanished during a mission to explore the wreckage of the Titanic , the company said Tuesday.

There is less than 40 hours of oxygen supply left on the missing vessel, named Titan, which is carrying five people, a U.S. Coast Guard official said Tuesday as the search continues.

The submersible is part of an OceanGate Expeditions tour that offers passengers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to explore the Titanic wreckage. It went missing Sunday after it lost contact with the research vessel Polar Prince.

What to know about the missing vessel, Titan

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for the missing research submersible, named Titan, that disappeared Sunday.
The wreckage of the Titanic, the iconic ocean liner that sank more than a century ago, is 900 nautical miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The sub had up to 96 hours of oxygen supply and by 1 p.m. ET Tuesday was down to 41 hours, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Canadian aircraft detected “underwater noises” in the search area, the U.S. Coast Guard said early Wednesday. It said searches “yielded negative results but continue.”
The price of a spot on the submersible was $250,000. It was on only its third trip since OceanGate Expeditions began offering trips in 2021.

British billionaire Hamish Harding, owner of Action Aviation, was also among the five people on the vessel , along with French dive expert Paul Henry Nargeolet and prominent Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman.

Aircraft detect 'underwater noises' in the search for missing submersible

Phil Helsel

Valeriya Antonshchuk

Canadian aircraft searching for signs of the submersible detected “underwater noises” in the search area, the U.S. Coast Guard said early Wednesday.

The underwater noises, detected by Canadian P-3 aircraft, prompted searches by remotely operated vehicles, the Coast Guard tweeted shortly before 12:30 a.m. ET.

"Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue," the message read. "Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our U.S. Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans."

A representative said OceanGate was unable to provide any additional information at this time.

Coast Guard image shows search patterns for Titan

The U.S. Coast Guard released an image showing the search patterns for Titan.

Search patterns used in the search for 21-foot submersible Titan after it went missing 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, June 20, 2023.

It said that 10,000 square miles had been searched as of Tuesday and that the searches are ongoing.

Canadian coast guard, navy and private research and commercial vessels with remotely operated vehicles have responded or were en route to help Tuesday, officials said. The U.S. and Canada also have planes searching.

Coast Guard establishes unified command in search for Titan

The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday night that it and other agencies and searchers are operating under a unified command as the search for the Titan continues.

More than 10,000 square miles had been searched by Tuesday morning, the Coast Guard said, and weather and visibility have improved.

Three Canadian coast guard ships, as well as a commercial vessel and a French research vessel with remote-operated vehicles, and a Canadian navy ship with a mobile decompression chamber were on the way, the Coast Guard said.

The Bahamian research vessel Deep Energy and a U.S. Air National Guard C-130 are also searching, the Coast Guard said.

Friend of man on submersible says he and Hamish Harding's family are hopeful

Tom Costello

Titan submersible passenger Hamish Harding was excited for the voyage down to the ocean’s depths to see the wreckage of the Titanic, friend and business partner Terry Virts said Tuesday.

“He was excited. The text I got was ‘hey, we’re headed down to Titanic today, exclamation point,” Virts, a former NASA astronaut and Air Force F-16 pilot, told NBC News. Harding sent the text early Sunday.

Harding, the owner of Action Aviation, is one of five people aboard the missing Titan submersible, which is the focus of a search in the North Atlantic. He was not worried about the risks but was aware of them, Virts said.

Virts said he and Harding’s family are hopeful.

"The really good news that we have is that we haven’t heard bad news — they haven’t found a wreckage, they haven’t found debris floating, the sonar didn’t pick up any kind of crushing or exploding noise," he said. "So there’s definitely hope that the crew is alive in the submersible."

Search for missing submersible is a ‘monumental task,’ expert says

One of the best-case scenarios that might have happened to the Titan would be if it has been entangled in the wreckage of the Titanic, an ocean explorer and expert said Tuesday.

If that's the case, it could make the submersible with five people aboard easier to find, Tim Taylor, an ocean explorer and the CEO of Tiburon Subsea, said on NBC News Now.

“Lifting the submarine off the bottom is not as hard or difficult as one may think if it’s still intact,” Taylor said.

It’s unclear what happened to the submersible, and searches are ongoing.

“You’re really fighting a clock here,” Taylor said. “They don’t have a lot of options. Every hour that goes by, their options get less and less.”

Getting assets to the area takes time, he said, and when equipment arrives, searchers will have to decide where to look with the time they have.

“This is a monumental task,” he said.

Canada sending ship specializing in dive medicine

A Canadian plane with sonar flew above the area around the Titan, and Canada is sending rescue ships and a vessel equipped with a mobile hyperbaric recompression chamber, officials said.

The Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora has been providing sonar searches, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The Royal Canadian Navy ship HMCS Glace Bay has also been dispatched, Canada’s military said.

“HMCS Glace Bay provides a medical team specializing in dive medicine and a six person mobile hyperbaric recompression chamber,” it said in a statement.

A hyperbaric recompression chamber is used to treat or prevent decompression sickness. When divers are exposed to rapid decreases in pressure, nitrogen forms bubbles in tissue and blood.

Two other Canadian coast guard ships were either there or on the way.

U.S. Navy and Air Force sending support to search efforts

Doha Madani

The U.S. Coast Guard is getting help in its search efforts from two other branches of the military.

A spokesperson for the Navy said it was deploying its Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System to assist the Coast Guard. The equipment is specifically designed for the "recovery of large, bulky, and heavy undersea objects," and it has deep ocean lifting capacity.

The Air Force will also provide aid by transporting "rescue-related" cargo from Buffalo, New York, to St. Johns, Newfoundland, it said.

King Charles asks to be updated on Titan passengers

Andrew Jones

David K. Li

King Charles III "has been asked to be kept up to date, and his thoughts and prayers are with the families and all those involved in the rescue operation," a royal source told NBC News.

Two of those on the submersible, Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son , Suleman, are British citizens.

OceanGate CEO was piloting the sub when it disappeared

Stockton Rush, OceanGate's chief executive, was piloting the submersible, the company confirmed Tuesday.

A spokesperson previously said Rush was on board as a member of the crew.

Pilot said in lawsuit he was fired for warning Titan wasn't safe for deep dives

Corky Siemaszko

The pilot OceanGate hired to run manned tests of submersibles claimed five years ago in court papers that he was fired after he warned that the Titan’s carbon shell was not properly tested to make sure it could descend safely to 4,000 meters.

David Lochridge also claimed OceanGate refused to pay extra for a viewport that could be used safely at a depth of 4,000 meters.

When he complained that OceanGate would be endangering customers, Lochridge said in the court papers, he was given “10 minutes to immediately clear out his desk.”

Lochridge’s claims, which were first reported by The New Republic , were in his counterclaim to a 2018 breach of contract lawsuit OceanGate filed saying he was not an engineer. The two sides settled a few months later.

Titan's depth capabilities were downgraded short of the Titanic

The hull of the Titan vessel "showed signs of cyclic fatigue," according to a January 2020 interview with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who is aboard the missing vessel. Rush told GeekWire that due to that stress, the hull rating was downgraded to a depth of 3,000 meters, 800 meters short of the Titanic's depth.

In a December 2019 slideshow that appears to have been presented to the Deep Submergence Science Committee of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System, OceanGate listed the depth capability of the Titan as 3,000 meters.

At the time, the CEO was announcing a new round of funding for the company, which he said would go toward funding new vessels that could go deeper than the Titan.

But in 2021, OceanGate announced that Titan, not another vessel, had completed a trip to the Titanic.

There had been no public update about Titan's depth rating since it was downgraded.

On the company’s current webpage , it says the ship is designed for a 4,000-meter depth, despite previous statements made about the vessel's capabilities.

Titan's tiny space includes some bathroom privacy

Despite the Titan's close quarters, passengers do have access to semiprivate bathroom privileges.

"But because our sub is carbon fiber and we have so much space, we actually have a bathroom that is bigger than most private jets’ (bathrooms)," OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush told German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle in 2019 .

"You can put up a little curtain and you have some privacy. Most of our clients and I think even the researchers say that’s a huge thing, because nobody really looks forward to the idea of sitting next to two strangers, shoulder to shoulder, while you go to the bathroom."

Rescue operation faces extreme environment in search for missing sub

Denise Chow

Rescuers trying to find a submersible that disappeared on a dive to the wreckage of the Titanic are not only racing the clock as the sub’s oxygen supplies dwindle — they are also battling a harsh and unforgiving environment more akin to outer space than most places on Earth.

“It’s pitch black down there. It’s freezing cold. The seabed is mud, and it’s undulating. You can’t see your hand in front of your face,” historian and Titanic expert Tim Maltin said in an interview with NBC News Now . “It’s really a bit like being an astronaut going into space.”

The deep-diving 22-foot submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, vanished Sunday with five passengers on board, setting off a frantic rescue mission over a stretch of the North Atlantic Ocean roughly 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

But unlike space, humanity’s presence deep in the world’s oceans is minimal, and the technology for search-and-recovery missions is limited.

Read the full story here.

OceanGate CEO called Titan's 2018 christening 'one of the great moments of submersibles'

When it was launched five years ago, the submersible Titan was hailed as a technological wonder of its time.

"This will be one of the great moments of submersibles in that this technology is what we need to explore the ocean depth," OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush said at Titan's 2018 christening in Everett, Washington .

Rush insisted that day that private industry would be the great driving force of ocean exploration with little help from government agencies.

"The days of government funding are gone," he said. "It really needs to be a private enterprise, just as exploration was at the turn of the last century where people with means make the exploration possible."

Promotional documents illustrate tight quarters

Promotional documents for the Titan craft found on OceanGate’s website reveal the tight quarters that the five passengers are currently in.

In a diagram of the manned ship, which is 22 feet by 9.2 feet by 8.3 feet according to the documents, only one of the passengers is able to fully extend their legs. The diagram calls the arrangement the "Typical seating configuration."

In a photograph published on a separate document, a similar configuration was depicted, with a caption saying, "Mission Specialists onboard Titan."

Visibility conditions have improved today for aerial search

Marlene Lenthang

Visibility conditions have significantly improved today for aircraft scouring the surface of the Atlantic Ocean for signs of the missing OceanGate submersible, the Coast Guard said.

“Visibility was very foggy yesterday with very little to no visibility, but was increasing today and they were expecting much better conditions from an aerial search perspective,” Chief Petty Officer Robert Simpson, with the 1st Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office, said Tuesday.

He said the weather at the scene today included 5- to 6-foot waves and 15-knot winds.

In addition to assets from the Coast Guard, Navy and Canadian partners already deployed, civilian research vessels are also volunteering to aid in the search.

OceanGate's CEO is aboard missing submersible

Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, is aboard the missing submersible, the company confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

He is on board as a member of the crew, the company said.

So far search has yielded 'no results'

The extensive search for the missing tourist submersible near the Titanic wreck has yielded "no results," Capt. Jamie Frederick with the 1st Coast Guard District said in a briefing Tuesday.

He said so far the search has been on the surface and under the water using sonar buoys over an area the size of the state of Connecticut.

The search is ongoing with additional assets on the way to rescue the five people on board the Titan. There’s 41 hours of oxygen supply left on the vessel, "about 40 hours of breathable air," Frederick said.

France sends ship and robot to aid search for missing submersible

France is sending a ship called the Atalante to aid in the search for the missing OceanGate submersible, the French maritime ministry said Tuesday.

The ship was sent out in response to a request from American authorities Monday evening, the ministry said.

The ship, managed by the Ifremer research institute, was on a mission in the area, about a 48-hour drive from the Titanic wreckage. It'll arrive at the search site by 8 p.m. local time Wednesday.

A team from Ifremer will also arrive in Newfoundland on Wednesday morning to operate an exploration robot aboard the ship called Victor6000 that can dive to a depth of 4,000 meters.

Titan got ‘lost’ underwater last summer, CBS correspondent says

David Pogue, a CBS News correspondent, said that last year the submersible got “lost on the sea floor for a few hours,” when he was on an OceanGate expedition to visit the Titanic’s resting place.

“On my expedition last summer, they did indeed get lost for about 5 hours,” Pogue tweeted Monday. A segment on the trip aired in November .

Pogue wasn’t in the submersible, but was in a control room on a ship at the surface at the time.

He noted the submersible never lost communication with its mother ship. He said the Titan didn’t have a beacon similar to an aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter, but “such a beacon was discussed.”

“They could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was. It was quiet and very tense, and they shut off the ship’s internet to prevent us from tweeting,” he said Monday. The company claimed it was to keep all channels open in case of a serious emergency, Pogue said.

Why the Titan wasn't safety classed

The missing submersible Titan wasn’t classed by an independent group that sets safety standards, as most chartered vessels are.

OceanGate said in a blog post in February 2019 that Titan wasn’t classed because its technology was so new and their innovation “falls outside of the existing industry paradigm.”

It said there’d be a “multi-year approval cycle due to a lack of pre-existing standards.”

Classing usually checks if vessels meet standards in buoyancy, number of life rafts and hull materials, the blog post said. OceanGate said that while classing has a safety value, it is “not sufficient to ensure safety.”

'No signal is very bad news,' expert says

Mithil Aggarwal

As a sweeping effort to locate the missing submersible continued, Pengfei Liu, professor of marine hydrodynamics at Britain's Newcastle University, told NBC News that the apparent lack of signal from the vessel is “very worrying.”

Ideally, a submersible should send a signal out every few minutes, he said, but it was not known if OceanGate had detected any recent signals after research vessel Polar Prince lost contact with the sub Sunday. OceanGate did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News.

“No signal is very bad news,” the marine hydrodynamics professor said. An equipment failure due to an existing defect, depleted power or external damage could cause a signal outage, he said.

“If the submersible’s hull collapses under the enormous pressure, then survival chances are zero,” he said, adding that locating it in the first place would also be complicated had the vessel gotten stuck at the wreckage, since sonar systems would need to differentiate between the two.

Missing father and son Suleman and Shahzada Dawood pictured

Chantal Da Silva

Shahzada Dawood and son Suleman can be seen in the photo below.

The father, a prominent Pakistani businessman, and his son were identified as being onboard the vessel by family and colleagues.

The father and son, both British citizens, belong to one of Pakistan’s most prominent families, according to The Associated Press.

Their firm invests in agriculture, industries and the health sector, while Shahzada Dawood is also on the board of trustees for the California-based SETI Institute, which searches for extraterrestrial intelligence, according to the news agency.

Submersible was operated with a video game controller

Titan, the missing tourist submersible, was operated by a video game controller and had parts that were described as “off-the-shelf components.”

During a tour of the vessel in a CBS News segment that aired in November, OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush pointed out some of these unexpected features, including a light fixture from CamperWorld and a makeshift toilet with a plastic bottle.

He brought out a Logitech game controller, saying that “we run the whole thing with this.” It was not immediately clear whether the submersible was operated with such a controller during the latest mission.

Game controllers can have a wide range of uses, including by pilots controlling drones, as well as in medical training.

OceanGate’s website describes the five-person submersible as a combination of “ground-breaking engineering and off-the-shelf technology,” the latter of which “helped to streamline the construction, and makes it simple to operate and replace parts in the field.”

Thoughts of crew and their families driving search efforts

In the desperate search for the missing vessel touring the shipwreck of the Titanic deep in the Atlantic, crews are thinking of the lives of the five people on board first and foremost.

“The thoughts of the crew members and their families really drive our crews forward and all of the partners that have been working this complex case to make sure we can continue to find them,” Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger said Tuesday morning on NBC's "TODAY" show.

Factors such as oxygen levels, intense water pressure, and the remoteness of the area make the search difficult.

The ship went down Sunday with four days worth of oxygen. The wreckage of the Titanic is also at a depth of 13,000 feet — too deep for typical U.S. Navy subs, which typically go down to 2,000 or 3,000 feet, to descend to.

Canadian aircraft dropped a sonar buoy into the ocean listening for tapping or talking in an effort to pinpoint the submersible.

OceanGate Expeditions leading underwater search

OceanGate Expeditions is leading the underwater search for the missing Titanic tourist submersible because the deep-water exploration company “know[s] that site better than anybody else,” Rear Adm. John Mauger with the Coast Guard said on NBC's “TODAY” show Tuesday morning.

As the search for the 21-foot submersible entered the third day, Mauger said search crews have an “understanding” of where the submersible was operating and searches are being prioritized in those areas.

The wreckage of the Titanic sits 900 nautical miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Searches are underway with equipment the Coast Guard has brought to the area. The agency's current focus is on getting more assets and technical experts to the scene as fast as possible.

What did the Titanic expedition set out to achieve?

The submersible that disappeared Sunday was on only its third trip since OceanGate Expeditions began offering them in 2021.

On its website , the company said the expeditions are intended to "further document the Titanic and its rate of decay."

"Given the massive scale of the wreck and the debris field, multiple missions performed over several years will be required to fully document and model the wreck site," it says. "This longitudinal survey to collect images, videos, laser, and sonar data will allow objective assessment of the rate of decay and documentation of the process."

"Qualified explorers have the opportunity to join the expedition as Mission Specialist crewmembers whose Training and Mission Support Fees underwrite the mission, the participation of the science team, and their own training," the company states.

'You just rely on the thing being well made,' past survivor says

For Roger Mallinson, one of two people rescued in the deepest underwater rescue ever, according to Guinness World Records, the search for the missing Titanic tour sub has evoked difficult memories.

Almost 50 years ago, while working on laying a transatlantic telephone cable, Mallinson's submersible hurled toward the sea floor after the rope connecting it with the mothership snapped. Mallinson’s crew of two was trapped for over 80 hours on Aug. 29, 1973, at more than 1,500 feet below sea level as rescuers scrambled to locate his sub around 150 miles off Cork, Ireland.

“You just rely on the thing being well made,” he told NBC News. As hours passed and temperatures dropped, the crew struggled to keep the carbon dioxide levels low, relying on the extra oxygen tank that Mallinson said he had snuck in before the dive.

Locating a submersible is the first challenge he said, which could be done by sonar, but he added it could be difficult to locate if the sonar is obstructed. Bringing the crew back up is another challenge. “What complicates a rescue mission is, whether they lift it from the surface or they do it from the bottom by adding buoyancy to the submersible."

Regardless, the crew inside has little options at their disposal, he said. They could be transmitting via the sea telephone but if they haven't already, "something very drastic must have happened by now," he said.

Behind the U.S. Coast Guard's search

Phil McCausland

U.S. Coast Guard officials said they have "brought all assets that we have available" to the search to find the missing sub.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday afternoon, Rear Adm. John Mauger, who is leading the search, said the Coast Guard had brought in technical experts, dropped sonar buoys to listen for underwater noise and reached out to other government agencies and private contractors for aid and “to really better understand what an undersea search and rescue effort would look like."

In addition, Coast Guard officials said they had deployed two C-130 aircraft for an aerial search and that the sonar buoys can listen to a depth of 13,000 feet. The New York National Guard is providing a third C-130, and the Canadian Coast Guard provided a C-130, as well as a P8 Poseidon aircraft that has underwater detection capabilities.

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is also relying on commercial boat operators that were already in the nearby waters, as well as OceanGate’s mother ship, Polar Prince, for help.

Mauger added at the news conference that the Coast Guard is working to expand its capabilities to include an underwater search, as well.

Sub had up to 96 hours of oxygen supply, Coast Guard says

The search to find the missing submersible has become a race against time, with Coast Guard officials saying the sub had a 96-hour oxygen "reserve capacity."

“We really brought all assets that we have available to us to bear on finding the submersible and the people in it,” Rear Adm. John Mauger said at a news conference on Monday. “When something happens on the high seas, it gets complicated quickly," he added.

On a website page for the missing vessel, Titan, OceanGate Expeditions also describes the sub as having a “life support” of 96 hours for five crew members.

Asked how much of the 96 hours were left, Mauger said on Monday that officials anticipated there were somewhere between 70 to the full 96 hours available.

Map: Where is the Titanic located?

Max Butterworth

The Titanic wreck is located around 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada in the North Atlantic Ocean. It sits on the ocean floor in two main sections at a depth of about 12,500 feet.

The luxury liner sank in 1912 on its maiden voyage to New York from Southampton, England after it hit an iceberg, taking the lives of over 1,500 passengers.

Since it’s discovery in 1985, the wreck has been the site of numerous expeditions, including a recent full-size digital scan , revealing the remains in never before seen detail.

The RMS Titanic Expedition Mission 5 submersible in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The US Coast Guard said late Monday, June 19, that its search for a missing submersible vessel near the Titanic wreck had been completed for the day, but that a national guard unit and the company operating the five-passenger underwater mission would continue scouring the surface overnight.

‘This could be the end’: NY writer describes trip on missing sub

Mike Reiss, a New York-based writer and producer who has worked on The Simpsons, says he was among the explorers to take a trip on the Titan sub last year.

"Yes, the sub that’s gone missing is the same one I took down to the Titanic. I wish everyone involved the best of luck," Reiss said in a Twitter post .

Speaking with BBC Breakfast in the U.K., Reiss said: “You sign a massive waiver that lists one way after another that you could die on the trip. They mention death three times on page one so it’s never far from your mind.”

“As I was getting onto the sub my thought was this could be the end," he said. “So nobody who’s in this situation was caught off guard. You all know what you are getting into."

What is a submersible?

The vessel that has gone missing is a submersible — not to be confused with a submarine.

Unlike a submarine, which is a fully autonomous craft "capable of renewing its own power and breathing air," a submersible relies on outside support, such as a surface vessel, a team onshore or sometimes even a larger submarine, according to OceanGate Expeditions, the company behind the Titanic tour dive.

The vessel that went missing is named Titan, according to The Associated Press . NBC News was not immediately able to confirm this. On its website, OceanGate describes its Titan vessel as a "revolutionary carbon fiber and titanium submersible with a depth range of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) that provides access to almost 50% of the world’s oceans."

"Titan ushers in a new era of crewed submersible exploration and is the only sub in the world that can take five crewmembers to these depths," it says.

Titanic tour firm offered up-close experience for $250,000

David Ingram

Modern in-person tourism at the Titanic is still in its infancy. The submersible that disappeared Sunday near the Titanic wreckage was on only its third trip since the company OceanGate Expeditions began offering them in 2021.

OceanGate had been promoting the third dive for months on its website and in Facebook posts, offering the chance to “follow in Jacques Cousteau’s footsteps and become an underwater explorer” — for the price of $250,000.

“ Become one of the few to see the Titanic with your own eyes,” the tour company said on its website. The ticket comes with a title: “mission specialist.”

Participants have included a chef, an actor, a videographer and someone who worked in banking, the company said on Facebook. One of the customers said on Instagram last year that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that lived up to her expectations.

First full-size scan showed Titanic wreck as never seen before

Henry Austin

Few people will ever get the opportunity to survey the wreckage of the Titanic up close — a bid that was at the heart of Sunday's mission when the Titan vessel went missing.

The first first full-size digital scan of the Titanic recently revealed the world’s most famous shipwreck as never seen before, however, and experts are hopeful it will provide more insight into how the liner came to sink in 1912.

What we know about missing billionaire Hamish Harding

Hamish Harding, a billionaire and the owner and chairman of Action Aviation, is among the five people onboard the missing vessel.

Action Aviation, established in 2004, is described on its website as a global sales company in business aviation.

A post Sunday on Harding’s Instagram account said he was joining OceanGate’s expedition “as a mission specialist” — typically a one-time crew member who pays a fee to join the effort.

"Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023," Harding said in his post. He said that a "weather window" had just opened up and that the team was going to attempt a dive the following day.

"Until then we have a lot of preparations and briefings to do," he said.

Pakistani businessman and son were onboard sub, family says

A prominent Pakistani businessman, Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, were among the five people onboard the vessel when it went missing, family and colleagues said.

“We are very grateful for the concern being shown by our colleagues and friends and would like to request everyone to pray for their safety,” the family said in a statement provided by Engro, a company where Dawood serves as vice chairman of the board.

"We, at Engro, remain in prayer for their swift and safe return, and will share any updates we may have as and when they come," the company said.

Hamish Harding , the billionaire owner and chairman of Action Aviation, was previously identified as one of the missing crew members. The other two people who were onboard the vessel have yet to be identified.

Search continues for missing Titanic tour submersible

The U.S. Coast Guard continues its search on Tuesday for the missing submersible that disappeared Sunday after it departed for a mission to explore the wreck of the Titanic.

The 21-foot submersible and its five-person crew started a dive Sunday morning from the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince, the Coast Guard said. But the Polar Prince lost contact with the vessel after an hour and 45 minutes and it remains missing.

The missing submersible — named Titan, according to The Associated Press — is part of a tour offered by private company OceanGate Expeditions exploring the Titanic wreckage, 900 nautical miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

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A search is underway for a missing submersible that brings tourists to the Titanic

Juliana Kim

This undated photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. AP hide caption

This undated photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible.

A submersible known for taking tourists into the deep sea to view the Titanic wreckage has gone missing in the Atlantic Ocean.

The U.S. Coast Guard is working with Canada's coast guard and armed forces to search for the 21-foot vessel that lost communication with its control center.

"The 5 person crew submerged Sunday morning, and the crew of Polar Prince lost contact with them approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the vessel's dive," the U.S. Coast Guard Northeast wrote on Twitter .

At a press conference on Monday, Rear Admiral John Mauger of the U.S. Coast Guard said search and rescue teams are using aircrafts to scan the ocean, as well as sonar devices to detect possible underwater sounds coming from the submersible.

A remarkable new view of the Titanic shipwreck is here, thanks to deep-sea mappers

Mauger did not disclose the identities of the people on board but confirmed that officials are in process of notifying the passengers' families.

The vessel lost communications at about 435 miles (380 nautical miles) south of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, said on Twitter .

The missing vessel is owned by OceanGate, a company based in Washington state that offers underwater voyages to explore the remains of the iconic shipwreck from the seafloor.

"We are exploring and mobilizing all options to bring the crew back safely," the company said in a statement .

Its vessels are "equipped with some basic emergency medical supplies and 96 hours of life support," according to the company's website via the Wayback Machine . It takes approximately 2.5 hours to return back to the surface from the seabed, according to OceanGate.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told NPR that it is also aware of the missing submersible and is closely monitoring the situation.

The company's deep sea tour lasts about eight days and costs $250,000 per person. From St. John's in Newfoundland, Canada, explorers travel 380 miles offshore and 2.3 miles below the surface, according to the company's website .

The company gained popularity in recent years for its expeditions to the Titanic, and most recently the group created the first-ever-full-sized digital scan of the shipwreck.

Not the first time an OceanGate submersible was lost

This is not the first time an OceanGate submersible has gone lost, according to David Pogue, a correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning .

Pogue, who traveled on an OceanGate expedition to see the Titanic last summer, recalled that the control room was unable to help the submersible locate the wrecked liner for roughly three hours due to technical difficulties.

"The difference this year is that it seems like they lost contact with the ship," Pogue told NPR. "They can't even reach the sub and that's really scary."

The deep sea is difficult to navigate because there is no GPS or radio signals underwater, according to Pogue. The submersible relies on directions sent by the control center.

"All of these submersibles have been kind of janky," Pogue said.

He added that factors like bad weather and mechanical issues can hinder the expedition. In fact, the vessels rarely make it to the Titanic, despite the expensive price tag, according to Pogue.

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Our hearts will go on —

3d “digital twin” showcases wreck of titanic in unprecedented detail, “this is a new phase for underwater forensic investigation and examination.”.

Jennifer Ouellette - May 17, 2023 8:43 pm UTC

The RMS Titanic sank to the bottom of the North Atlantic in 1912, but the fate of the ship and its passengers has fascinated the popular imagination for more than a century. Now we have the first full-size 3D digital scan of the complete wreckage—a "digital twin" that captures Titanic in unprecedented detail. Magellan Ltd, a deep-sea mapping company , and Atlantic Productions (which is making a documentary about the project) conducted the scans over a six-week expedition last summer.

“Great explorers have been down to the Titanic ... but actually they went with really low-resolution cameras and they could only speculate on what happened," Atlantic Productions CEO Andrew Geffen told BBC News . “We now have every rivet of the Titanic , every detail, we can put it back together, so for the first time we can actually see what happened and use real science to find out what happened."

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You Can Now Go On An Underwater Tour to See The Titanic

Movies, books, soundtracks, television documentaries and even Titanic II – so much has been dedicated to the ill-fated RMS Titanic that it’s become the stuff of legend. On Tuesday, lux British tour operator, Blue Marble Private announced that it will begin a load of diving trips down to the shipwreck in 2018. Cool, huh?

The once-in-a-lifetime tour gives explorers the opportunity to see the historic ocean liner up close.

Don’t get too excited though, space is very, very limited. So limited in fact, that only one trip is going ahead next year, but have no fear, many more trips are on the cards for 2019. There’s space for 9 lucky titans. The trip lasts 8 days and departs from St. John’s, Newfoundland, off the Canadian coast.

According to The Telegraph , the trip starts via helicopter or seaplane which both travel to the expedition support yacht. Fancy. Once you leave the yacht, you’ll spend your first three days getting acquainted with all the scientists and crew – and if you’re feeling brave, you can even volunteer to operate all the ultra-cool undersea navigation systems.

After, things become a little claustrophobic: three passengers at a time will be guided down by a pilot and crew expert in a specially designed submersible used for ocean exploration. The mini sub plunges 4,000 meters below sea level to see the Titanic (screams JACK AND ROSE). Oh, and you’ll even get to see the ship’s famous deck and sweeping staircase.

How much does it cost? Well, it’s £85,690 ($105,129) per person. WOOF, you’re screaming, but hey, it’s the Titanic, so it’s totally worth it. Interesting fact time: the cost of the ticket is the 2017 equivalent of what a first-class ticket to set sail on the Titanic would have cost in 1912 – £3543 ($4,350), to be exact.

Worth it? We think so. Want more travel news? These are the happiest places to live in the UK !

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See the Titanic in Stunning Detail With New 3D Scan

Researchers collected 16 terabytes of data to create the very first full-sized 3D scan of the wreckage

Daily Correspondent

More than a century after the Titanic sank during her maiden voyage across the Atlantic, deep-sea researchers have created the first full-sized, 3D digital scan of the wreckage.

Over a period of six weeks last summer, the team used two remotely operated underwater vehicles to explore the shipwreck from all angles, as well as the surrounding debris field that stretches for up to three miles. Items that belonged to the vessel’s roughly 2,200 passengers and crew members—such as champagne bottles, watches and shoes—are still scattered across the seafloor.

In total, the two submersibles captured more than 16 terabytes of data—715,000 images and a high-resolution video—in the North Atlantic, reports the New York Times ’ April Rubin. Researchers then spent seven months piecing together a “one-to-one digital copy, a ‘twin,’ of the Titanic in every detail,” says Anthony Geffen, who leads Atlantic Productions , the film company making a documentary about the modeling process, to the Associated Press ’ Sylvia Hui.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Atlantic Productions (@atlantic.productions)

The result: a model that’s incredibly detailed, showing even tiny features like the serial number on the ship’s propeller.

“This is the Titanic as no one had ever seen it before,” says Gerhard Seiffert, a 3D imaging expert for Magellan, the deep-sea investigation company leading the project, to CNN ’s Niamh Kennedy.

On April 10, 1912, the Titanic departed from Southampton, England, and began sailing west toward New York City. The vessel struck an iceberg near Newfoundland on April 14 , proceeding to sink in just a few hours. More than 1,500 passengers and crew members died in the wreck.

First located in 1985 , the ship’s wreckage is situated about 435 miles off the coast of Canada, roughly 12,500 feet—2.4 miles—below the water’s surface.

With the model now complete, its creators hope it will help Titanic researchers more accurately piece together what happened during the famed disaster. Anyone interested in the vessel’s history will be able to use the model to walk through the ship virtually, “as if the water has been drained away,” writes Magellan in a statement.

Already, the scan is leading to new discoveries: For instance, researchers noticed for the first time that one of the Titanic ’s lifeboats wasn’t deployed used because it was “blocked by a jammed metal piece,” reports the Times .

“There are still questions, basic questions, that need to be answered about the ship,” says Parks Stephenson, a Titanic expert who was not involved in the project, to BBC News ’ Rebecca Morelle and Alison Francis.

The new model, he adds, is “one of the first major steps to driving the Titanic story towards evidence-based research—and not speculation.”

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Sarah Kuta | READ MORE

Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

Titanic submersible live updates: 'Catastrophic implosion' killed five aboard, possibly Sunday

Editor's note: This page reflects the news on the missing submarine from Thursday, June 22. For the latest updates on the missing submersible and the recovery efforts, read our live updates page for Friday, June 23 .

The five people aboard the submersible that had been missing for days were killed when the small vessel carrying them to the Titanic wreckage site had a "catastrophic implosion,'' the Coast Guard said Thursday afternoon.

Members of a massive international search effort found a debris field in the general area of the Titanic earlier in the day, and it was confirmed to contain parts of the Titan sub.

"The debris is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel," Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, said in a news conference.

The debris was found about 1,600 feet from the Titanic's bow on the sea floor, Mauger said, adding that it was too early to tell when the Titan imploded.

However, an "anomaly'' the U.S. Navy detected Sunday was likely the small watercraft's fatal blast, according to a senior military official. The irregularity was picked up when the Navy went back and analyzed its acoustic data after the submersible was reported missing that day.

That anomaly was “consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost,” a senior Navy official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Navy shared the information with the Coast Guard, but the data was not considered definitive.

Paul Hankins, the U.S. Navy director of salvage operations and ocean engineering, said the debris found Thursday indicated a "catastrophic event." He and Mauger said it included a tail cone, the end bell of the pressure hull and the aft end bell, which according to Hankins, "basically comprise the totality of that pressure vessel."

The 22-foot vehicle was on a dive to the Titanic site when it lost contact with its support ship Sunday morning.

OceanGate, the company that operated the Titan – and whose CEO, Stockton Rush, piloted the watercraft – issued a statement saying the travelers "have sadly been lost.''

"We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew,'' the statement said.

The other four people believed to have perished were Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, British adventurer Hamish Harding and French deep-sea explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives on the Titan,” the White House said in a statement. “They have been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.”

Debris field discovered early Thursday

Search and rescue crews remotely operating an underwater vehicle had discovered debris near the Titanic earlier Thursday, the day the submersible was expected to run out of oxygen .

The debris was found by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) associated with the Canadian vessel Horizon Arctic that reached the sea floor and began searching for the submersible early Thursday, according to the Coast Guard, which said ROVs will be used in a continued investigation of what happened.

The complex search and rescue mission attracted international attention and involved personnel from the U.S., Canada, France and the United Kingdom . Another ROV, associated with the French vessel L'Atalante, also deployed Thursday, the Coast Guard said.

The accelerating search efforts came as an updated prediction by the Coast Guard said the Titan submersible was likely to run out of oxygen roughly around 7 a.m. EDT Thursday. It initially had 96 hours of oxygen for a crew of five. Experts have noted that the estimates are imprecise. In the end, running out of oxygen was not the biggest problem.

Inside the underwater vessel: Reporter who rode Titanic submersible tells USA TODAY about 'less sophisticated' parts

Wife of OceanGate CEO descended from Titanic victims

The wife of OceanGate's CEO is descended from victims of the Titanic wreck of 1912, genealogical records suggest.

Wendy Rush, the wife of Stockton Rush, is the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus , The New York Times first reported . USA TODAY confirmed the tie through genealogical records online.

The couple was last seen together on the deck of the Titanic holding hands as it sank, according to the U.K. government's National Archives. Rush's great-grandmother was their daughter Minnie, who married Richard Weil, said Joan Adler, executive director of the Straus Historical Society, a nonprofit that preserves information relating to the Straus Family.

Rush works as OceanGate's director of communications and has participated in three past OceanGate journeys to the Titanic site, according to her LinkedIn page .

Pakistani teen was student in Scotland

Suleman Dawood, the Pakistani 19-year-old aboard the vessel, was a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, the university confirmed Thursday. He just completed his first year in the business school there.

"We are deeply concerned about Suleman, his father and the others involved in this incident. Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones and we continue to hope for a positive outcome," the university said.

Deep ocean salvage system arrives for search

Rescue crews on Thursday had faced wind gusts up to 19 mph and ocean swells up to 5 feet, with an air temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Coast Guard.

The U.S. Navy said Wednesday afternoon that a special deep-water salvage system capable of hoisting up to 60,000 pounds had reached St. John’s, Canada, and could be used to lift the Titan to the surface, though it may not be ready for another 24 hours. The Titan weighs 23,000 pounds, according to the OceanGate website.

Submersible previously had battery issues

At least 46 people successfully traveled on OceanGate’s submersible to the Titanic wreck site in 2021 and 2022, according to letters the company filed with a U.S. District Court in Virginia.

"On the first dive to the Titanic, the submersible encountered a battery issue and had to be manually attached to its lifting platform," one filing says. "In the high sea state, the submersible sustained modest damage to its external components and OceanGate decided to cancel the second mission for repairs and operational enhancements."

Arthur Loibl, a retired businessman from Germany, took a dive to the site two years ago. "Imagine a metal tube a few meters long with a sheet of metal for a floor. You can't stand. You can't kneel. Everyone is sitting close to or on top of each other," Loibl told the Associated Press. "You can't be claustrophobic."

During the 2.5-hour descent and ascent, the lights were turned off to conserve energy, he said, with the only illumination coming from a fluorescent glow stick. The dive was repeatedly delayed to fix a problem with the battery and the balancing weights. In total, the voyage took 10.5 hours, he said.

Underwater noises heard for two days

Aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area on Tuesday and Wednesday, prompting officials to redirect rescue efforts, said Capt. Jamie Frederick, the First Coast Guard District response coordinator, in a news conference Wednesday. Navy acoustic analysts were studying the sounds, he said.

"We don't know what they are," Frederick said. "The good news is, we’re searching in the area where the noises were detected." The search net covers a surface area roughly two times the size of Connecticut and 2.5 miles deep, he said.

At the press conference Wednesday, Carl Hartsfield, director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, said the sounds have been described as "banging noises." He cautioned against jumping to conclusions and said sounds that aren’t man-made may sound man-made to the untrained ear.

Missing Titanic submersible: Maps, graphics show last location, depth and design

Who is on the passenger list of the submersible?

These are the passengers who were on the submersible :

◾ Stockton Rush, 61, CEO of OceanGate, who co-founded the company in 2009.

◾ Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 73, a French maritime explorer and director of the Underwater Research Program at Premier Exhibitions, RMS Titanic Inc., the only company with exclusive rights to recover the artifacts from the Titanic wreck.

◾ Hamish Harding, 58, a British explorer, private jet dealer and chairman of Action Aviation, a global sales company in business aviation.

◾ Shahzada Dawood, 48, a member of one of Pakistan’s most prominent families.

◾ Suleman Dawood, 19, son of Shahzada Dawood.

– Isabelle Butera, USA TODAY

Who pays the cost of Coast Guard rescues?

The cost of the search and rescue mission is likely in the millions of dollars – and will fall to taxpayers, said Chris Boyer, the executive director of the National Association for Search and Rescue, a nonprofit education, training and advocacy group.

He said the Coast Guard doesn’t charge people for search and rescue. "That’s their job," he said, noting fear of costs could deter people from seeking lifesaving help.

While some adventure expeditions require patrons to take out insurance policies, few would come close to covering the likely costs of the rescue mission, he said. High-risk adventures have long fueled complex debates about risk and rescue, he said.

"I think it's going to become a larger issue for us. Because it's not just under the water. We now have private spaceships flying private astronauts into space," he said. "What happens when that private spaceship can't come back home?"

– Chris Kenning, USA TODAY

What does it look like inside the missing submersible?

The Titan submersible was about 8 feet high, 9 feet wide and 22 feet long, according to the OceanGate website. It was designed to reach about 13,000 feet deep and travel at 3 knots, the company says. The vessel had a five-inch-thick carbon fiber and titanium hull and four 10-horsepower electric thrusters, according to court filings.

Several exterior cameras provided a live view of the outside, and passengers could access the camera views on a large digital display or on a hand-held tablet, according to court filings. Images posted to the website show people seated on the floor in the small, open space with their legs crossed.

Science writer and CBS correspondent David Pogue, who boarded the submersible for a report that aired in November , told USA TODAY he was concerned about the vessel's safety.

"There were parts of it that seemed to me to be less sophisticated than I was guessing. You drive it with a PlayStation video controller … some of the ballasts are old, rusty construction pipes," Pogue said. "There were certain things that looked like cut corners."

Contributing: Kayla Jimenez, Dinah Pulver and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY ; The Associated Press

Watch CBS News

Stunning new digital scans of the Titanic reveal unprecedented views of the iconic shipwreck

By Emmet Lyons

May 17, 2023 / 9:39 AM EDT / CBS News

Brand new images of the Titanic reveal unprecedented views of the shipwreck and may shed new light on how the iconic liner sank more than a century ago.

The first ever full-sized digital scan of the ship liner's wreckage, which lies 12,500 feet below water on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, has been developed using deep sea mapping.

Analysts hope that the images will provide fresh insight into how the Titanic went down on April 15, 1912 after the liner struck an iceberg during its ill-fated maiden voyage.

The disaster — which has been immortalized in popular culture through documentaries, books and a Hollywood blockbuster — killed more than 1,500 people on board – roughly 70% of the ship's passengers and crew.

The scan was carried out last year by Magellan Ltd, a deep-sea mapping company, in partnership with Atlantic Productions, a London-based company that is currently making a film about the project.

"I felt there was something much bigger here that we could get from the Titanic," Anthony Geffen, the CEO of Atlantic Production, told CBS News. "If we could scan it, if we could capture in all its detail… we could find out how it sank and how the different parts of the boat fell apart and we can find a lot of personal stories down there as well."

The scan provides a three-dimensional view of the wreckage in its entirety, enabling the ship once known as "unsinkable" to be seen as if the water has been drained away.

While the Titanic has been examined in detail since the wreck was discovered in 1985, the sheer size of the ship has meant that prior to the digital scan, cameras had only ever been able to capture the decaying wreckage in snapshots.

Small submersibles boats, remotely controlled by a team on board a specialist ship, spent more than 200 hours analyzing the entirety of the wreck. The team took more than 700,000 pictures from every angle, creating an exact 3D reconstruction of the boat.

The rust-colored wreckage lies in two parts, with the bow and the stern separated by over 2,600 feet in opposite directions. A huge field of debris surrounds the broken vessel.

The iconic bow remains instantly recognizable despite lying underwater for over a century.

In the debris surrounding the ship, lies miscellaneous items including ornate metalwork from the ship, statues and unopened champagne bottles.

There are also personal possessions, including dozens of shoes.

The digital scan has come at a critical time as the Titanic continues to deteriorate, Geffen told CBS News.

"What we now have for the historical record is, before it falls apart, literally a record of everything to do with the wreck of the Titanic, which will be around forever," he said.

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30+ Fascinating Facts About the Titanic You Need to Know

Posted: May 18, 2024 | Last updated: May 18, 2024

<p>In maritime history, the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 is a captivating event. This tragedy, which claimed over 1,500 lives, has left a lasting mark on the collective memory of people worldwide. While the story of the Titanic has been detailed through survivor accounts, literature, and films, a collection of rare photographs provides a unique and intimate glimpse into the ill-fated journey. These remarkable images offer a view into a bygone era, showcasing the Titanic’s grandeur and sorrow beyond what words can convey. Join us as we explore these extraordinary and seldom-seen Titanic photographs, shedding new light on a catastrophe that continues to fascinate people globally. </p>

In maritime history, the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 is a captivating event. This tragedy, which claimed over 1,500 lives, has left a lasting mark on the collective memory of people worldwide. While the story of the Titanic has been detailed through survivor accounts, literature, and films, a collection of rare photographs provides a unique and intimate glimpse into the ill-fated journey. These remarkable images offer a view into a bygone era, showcasing the Titanic’s grandeur and sorrow beyond what words can convey. Join us as we explore these extraordinary and seldom-seen Titanic photographs, shedding new light on a catastrophe that continues to fascinate people globally.

<p>This photograph shows members of the White Star Line crew wearing life vests, crucial safety devices that provide buoyancy and enhance survival odds during emergencies. The image captures a moment of readiness among the crew, underscoring the significance of safety precautions aboard the Titanic.</p>

This photograph shows members of the White Star Line crew wearing life vests, crucial safety devices that provide buoyancy and enhance survival odds during emergencies. The image captures a moment of readiness among the crew, underscoring the significance of safety precautions aboard the Titanic.

<p>This image showcases a standard single bed cabin tailored for first-class passengers aboard the Titanic. The cabin exemplifies the luxurious accommodations offered to the ship’s wealthiest guests, featuring design and furnishings that meet the high standards of comfort and elegance expected by first-class travelers of that period.</p>

First Class Standard Single Bed Cabin

This image showcases a standard single bed cabin tailored for first-class passengers aboard the Titanic. The cabin exemplifies the luxurious accommodations offered to the ship’s wealthiest guests, featuring design and furnishings that meet the high standards of comfort and elegance expected by first-class travelers of that period.

<p>The photograph showcases a variety of items uncovered during explorations of the Titanic’s resting place. These artifacts, once submerged in the ocean’s depths, have been rediscovered, shedding light on the ship’s final moments. Each artifact acts as a historical relic, silently narrating the stories of the lives connected to the Titanic’s fateful journey.</p>

Unearthed Titanic Artifacts

The photograph showcases a variety of items uncovered during explorations of the Titanic’s resting place. These artifacts, once submerged in the ocean’s depths, have been rediscovered, shedding light on the ship’s final moments. Each artifact acts as a historical relic, silently narrating the stories of the lives connected to the Titanic’s fateful journey.

<p>The provided image highlights the present condition of the cranes that facilitated the lowering of lifeboats on the Titanic. These crucial mechanisms played a vital role during the emergency evacuation and now form part of the shipwreck’s eerie underwater outline. They serve as a poignant reminder of the safety protocols enacted during the unfortunate sinking of the vessel.</p>

Detailed View of Titanic’s Lifeboat Cranes

The provided image highlights the present condition of the cranes that facilitated the lowering of lifeboats on the Titanic. These crucial mechanisms played a vital role during the emergency evacuation and now form part of the shipwreck’s eerie underwater outline. They serve as a poignant reminder of the safety protocols enacted during the unfortunate sinking of the vessel.

<p>The colossal iceberg responsible for the Titanic’s sinking is estimated to have spanned up to a mile in length, displacing approximately a billion tonnes of seawater. Researchers suggest that this massive ice structure could have been around 15,000 years old at the time of the collision with the RMS Titanic, originating from a mere snowflake. This ancient iceberg’s journey from a single snowflake to a monumental force of nature underscores the profound and tragic encounter with the iconic ocean liner.</p>

The Iceberg

The colossal iceberg responsible for the Titanic’s sinking is estimated to have spanned up to a mile in length, displacing approximately a billion tonnes of seawater. Researchers suggest that this massive ice structure could have been around 15,000 years old at the time of the collision with the RMS Titanic, originating from a mere snowflake. This ancient iceberg’s journey from a single snowflake to a monumental force of nature underscores the profound and tragic encounter with the iconic ocean liner.

<p>This photo depicts the RMS Titanic as it set sail on its first voyage on April 10th, 1912. This moment signifies the start of what was intended to be a momentous transatlantic crossing. The image stands as a significant reminder of the ship’s initial departure from the port, brimming with hope and expectation.</p>

Departing from Southampton

This photo depicts the RMS Titanic as it set sail on its first voyage on April 10th, 1912. This moment signifies the start of what was intended to be a momentous transatlantic crossing. The image stands as a significant reminder of the ship’s initial departure from the port, brimming with hope and expectation.

<p>The RMS Titanic was powered by steam from 29 massive boilers, each 15 feet 9 inches in diameter and 20 feet long. A team of 176 firemen worked around the clock in shifts, tirelessly shoveling coal into the ship’s 159 furnaces to sustain the required heat. Their relentless effort was essential for the continuous generation of steam, which was critical for the Titanic’s voyage across the Atlantic.</p>

The Boiler Room

The RMS Titanic was powered by steam from 29 massive boilers, each 15 feet 9 inches in diameter and 20 feet long. A team of 176 firemen worked around the clock in shifts, tirelessly shoveling coal into the ship’s 159 furnaces to sustain the required heat. Their relentless effort was essential for the continuous generation of steam, which was critical for the Titanic’s voyage across the Atlantic.

Current State of the Promenade Deck

The image captures the current state of the Promenade Deck, highlighting both the changes and the enduring features of an area that was once alive with the activity of Titanic’s passengers. This photo stands as a visual record of the passage of time and the lasting impact on the ship’s structure.

<p>This image shows survivors of the RMS Titanic, now safely aboard the Carpathia. Rescued from one of the most tragic maritime disasters in history, they find solace and safety on the ship’s deck. Their presence on the Carpathia marks the end of a harrowing ordeal and the beginning of their journey to recovery.</p>

Survivors Aboard the Carpathia

This image shows survivors of the RMS Titanic, now safely aboard the Carpathia. Rescued from one of the most tragic maritime disasters in history, they find solace and safety on the ship’s deck. Their presence on the Carpathia marks the end of a harrowing ordeal and the beginning of their journey to recovery.

<p>The photograph reveals the stern of the RMS Titanic as it lies on the ocean floor today. The passage of time and environmental factors have significantly impacted this part of the ship, highlighting the decay and change that have occurred since the Titanic sank. This image provides an eerie look into the final resting place of a vessel that was once famed for being unsinkable.</p>

The photograph reveals the stern of the RMS Titanic as it lies on the ocean floor today. The passage of time and environmental factors have significantly impacted this part of the ship, highlighting the decay and change that have occurred since the Titanic sank. This image provides an eerie look into the final resting place of a vessel that was once famed for being unsinkable.

<p>The Titanic’s boilers were monumental in size and engineering, each weighing a staggering 91.5 tons. They had a capacity to hold 48.5 tons of water, essential for producing the steam required to propel the massive ocean liner across the Atlantic.</p>

The Boilers

The Titanic’s boilers were monumental in size and engineering, each weighing a staggering 91.5 tons. They had a capacity to hold 48.5 tons of water, essential for producing the steam required to propel the massive ocean liner across the Atlantic.

<p>Perched above the Grand Staircase, the glass dome on the Titanic was a stunning architectural marvel. In James Cameron’s film ‘Titanic,’ this dome is vividly depicted collapsing under the weight of tons of water as it floods the ship. This dramatic scene exemplifies a key moment of devastation, showcasing the overwhelming power of the ocean as the Titanic met its tragic fate.</p>

Perched above the Grand Staircase, the glass dome on the Titanic was a stunning architectural marvel. In James Cameron’s film ‘Titanic,’ this dome is vividly depicted collapsing under the weight of tons of water as it floods the ship. This dramatic scene exemplifies a key moment of devastation, showcasing the overwhelming power of the ocean as the Titanic met its tragic fate.

<p>In this image, passengers are shown in lifeboats, awaiting rescue—a pivotal moment of hope amid tragedy. Soon, they would be rescued by the Carpathia, which had responded to the Titanic’s distress signals. This photograph encapsulates the anxious anticipation of the survivors as they float on the cold Atlantic, moments before their rescue.</p>

Passengers Awaiting Rescue on Lifeboats

In this image, passengers are shown in lifeboats, awaiting rescue—a pivotal moment of hope amid tragedy. Soon, they would be rescued by the Carpathia, which had responded to the Titanic’s distress signals. This photograph encapsulates the anxious anticipation of the survivors as they float on the cold Atlantic, moments before their rescue.

<p>Mr. and Mrs. George A. Harder from Brooklyn, New York, selected the Titanic for their honeymoon. In this photograph, Mrs. Charles M. Hayes, wife of the Grand Trunk Railway President who sadly lost his life in the tragedy, is shown with her back to Bernie’s Brownie camera. Mrs. Hayes and her two daughters were among the survivors rescued by the Carpathia, emphasizing the personal tales of loss and survival connected to the Titanic’s history.</p>

Honeymooners

Mr. and Mrs. George A. Harder from Brooklyn, New York, selected the Titanic for their honeymoon. In this photograph, Mrs. Charles M. Hayes, wife of the Grand Trunk Railway President who sadly lost his life in the tragedy, is shown with her back to Bernie’s Brownie camera. Mrs. Hayes and her two daughters were among the survivors rescued by the Carpathia, emphasizing the personal tales of loss and survival connected to the Titanic’s history.

The Captain’s Bridge

The Captain’s Bridge functioned as the command hub on the RMS Titanic. It was the location where the ship’s captain and officers conducted the navigation of the grand ocean liner across the Atlantic. This pivotal area was essential in the oversight and operation of the Titanic throughout its journey.

<p>An image captures a lifeboat being meticulously lowered into the Atlantic Ocean using a crane pulley system. This equipment was vital for emergency evacuations. The moment underscores the significance of lifeboats in rescue operations.</p>

Lifeboat Lowered into the Atlantic

An image captures a lifeboat being meticulously lowered into the Atlantic Ocean using a crane pulley system. This equipment was vital for emergency evacuations. The moment underscores the significance of lifeboats in rescue operations.

The Strauss Suite

The Strauss suite emerged as the epitome of luxury on the Titanic, recognized as the most extravagant suite accessible. It was one of the four Parlor Suites on the vessel, each equipped with a bedroom, a sitting room, two wardrobes, a bathroom, and a single fireplace. The suite’s lavishness and full range of amenities distinguished it as a marker of supreme comfort and status.

<p>The RMS Titanic was equipped with three main engines: two reciprocating four-cylinder, triple-expansion steam engines, and one centrally positioned low-pressure Parsons turbine. Each engine was tasked with powering one of the ship’s propellers. This setup aimed to optimize the Titanic’s efficiency and speed during its transatlantic voyage.</p>

The Engines

The RMS Titanic was equipped with three main engines: two reciprocating four-cylinder, triple-expansion steam engines, and one centrally positioned low-pressure Parsons turbine. Each engine was tasked with powering one of the ship’s propellers. This setup aimed to optimize the Titanic’s efficiency and speed during its transatlantic voyage.

<p>Located on the Boat Deck within the officers’ quarters, the radio room was the communication hub of the RMS Titanic. Operating 24/7, this facility primarily handled the sending and receiving of telegrams. It also managed vital navigation communications like weather updates and ice warnings, which were crucial for the ship’s safe journey.</p>

The Communications Room

Located on the Boat Deck within the officers’ quarters, the radio room was the communication hub of the RMS Titanic. Operating 24/7, this facility primarily handled the sending and receiving of telegrams. It also managed vital navigation communications like weather updates and ice warnings, which were crucial for the ship’s safe journey.

<p>This photograph showcases a portion of the Titanic’s wreckage as it rests on the ocean floor. It visually documents the remains of the ship, which have been preserved underwater through the years. The image gives a poignant look at the final resting place of the once grand ocean liner.</p>

Titanic Wreckage Beneath the Ocean

This photograph showcases a portion of the Titanic’s wreckage as it rests on the ocean floor. It visually documents the remains of the ship, which have been preserved underwater through the years. The image gives a poignant look at the final resting place of the once grand ocean liner.

<p>A crowd has gathered outside the White Star Line office, desperately seeking information about the Titanic disaster. They are looking for updates and answers about the fate of the passengers and the ship. This gathering highlights the widespread concern and eagerness for news following the tragic event.</p>

People Seeking Information

A crowd has gathered outside the White Star Line office, desperately seeking information about the Titanic disaster. They are looking for updates and answers about the fate of the passengers and the ship. This gathering highlights the widespread concern and eagerness for news following the tragic event.

<p>A group of passengers is assembled on the deck of the RMS Titanic. They are observed taking pleasure in the amenities and the scenic views from the vessel. This scene encapsulates a moment of relaxation and social engagement on the legendary ocean liner.</p>

Passengers Enjoying Time on the Deck

A group of passengers is assembled on the deck of the RMS Titanic. They are observed taking pleasure in the amenities and the scenic views from the vessel. This scene encapsulates a moment of relaxation and social engagement on the legendary ocean liner.

<p>The aperture depicted in the photograph is the location of the Gangway Door on the port side of the Titanic. Taken in 1994, the image shows the door still attached, before its eventual detachment due to the relentless effects of underwater decay. The door has since been recovered and is now part of a traveling exhibition, offering the public an opportunity to connect with a physical piece of the Titanic’s legacy.</p>

Open Gangway Door

The aperture depicted in the photograph is the location of the Gangway Door on the port side of the Titanic. Taken in 1994, the image shows the door still attached, before its eventual detachment due to the relentless effects of underwater decay. The door has since been recovered and is now part of a traveling exhibition, offering the public an opportunity to connect with a physical piece of the Titanic’s legacy.

<p>The RMS Titanic was anchored at Southampton port, ready for its first journey across the Atlantic. This event was set to be a momentous voyage in history. The magnificent vessel stood prepared to embark, with passengers aboard, excited for the adventure to come.</p>

Before The Maiden Voyage

The RMS Titanic was anchored at Southampton port, ready for its first journey across the Atlantic. This event was set to be a momentous voyage in history. The magnificent vessel stood prepared to embark, with passengers aboard, excited for the adventure to come.

<p>The steam whistles of the RMS Titanic, each weighing just over 750 pounds and standing 4 feet tall, were an important aspect of the ship’s design. Powered by steam, these whistles marked the beginning and end of daily shifts for the White Star Line crew, becoming an integral part of life onboard. They also played a crucial role in signaling the ship’s departure from or arrival at a port, aiding in safe navigation and communication.</p>

The steam whistles of the RMS Titanic, each weighing just over 750 pounds and standing 4 feet tall, were an important aspect of the ship’s design. Powered by steam, these whistles marked the beginning and end of daily shifts for the White Star Line crew, becoming an integral part of life onboard. They also played a crucial role in signaling the ship’s departure from or arrival at a port, aiding in safe navigation and communication.

<p>The RMS Titanic stands near the slipway in Belfast, ready for its forthcoming sea trials. This important phase takes place just before its maiden voyage, assessing the ship’s performance and readiness. The image depicts a moment of suspense as the Titanic is set to demonstrate its seaworthiness.</p>

Titanic Prepares for Sea Trials

The RMS Titanic stands near the slipway in Belfast, ready for its forthcoming sea trials. This important phase takes place just before its maiden voyage, assessing the ship’s performance and readiness. The image depicts a moment of suspense as the Titanic is set to demonstrate its seaworthiness.

<p>The Titanic, famous for its ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912, stands as the second-largest ocean liner wreck in the world, only surpassed by its sister ship, the HMHS Britannic. Boasting a Gross Register Tonnage (GRT) of 46,328, the Titanic measured 882 feet and 9 inches in length and reached a height of 175 feet above the waterline. These impressive dimensions made it one of the largest ships of its era, representing the zenith of early 20th-century maritime engineering. Its construction was a marvel of its time, symbolizing the ambitious human drive to build the largest and most luxurious sea-faring vessels. The sinking of the Titanic, which led to the loss of over 1,500 lives, remains a poignant reminder of the limitations of human ingenuity in the face of nature’s unpredictability.</p>

The RMS Titanic, Olympic Class Ocean Liner

The Titanic, famous for its ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912, stands as the second-largest ocean liner wreck in the world, only surpassed by its sister ship, the HMHS Britannic. Boasting a Gross Register Tonnage (GRT) of 46,328, the Titanic measured 882 feet and 9 inches in length and reached a height of 175 feet above the waterline. These impressive dimensions made it one of the largest ships of its era, representing the zenith of early 20th-century maritime engineering. Its construction was a marvel of its time, symbolizing the ambitious human drive to build the largest and most luxurious sea-faring vessels. The sinking of the Titanic, which led to the loss of over 1,500 lives, remains a poignant reminder of the limitations of human ingenuity in the face of nature’s unpredictability.

<p>In this image, passengers are seen huddled together in lifeboats on the open sea, awaiting rescue. The Carpathia, having responded to the Titanic’s distress call, represents their beacon of hope. This moment encapsulates the blend of uncertainty and hope as they scan the horizon for their saviors.</p>

Rescue Awaited by Passengers on Lifeboats

In this image, passengers are seen huddled together in lifeboats on the open sea, awaiting rescue. The Carpathia, having responded to the Titanic’s distress call, represents their beacon of hope. This moment encapsulates the blend of uncertainty and hope as they scan the horizon for their saviors.

<p>This image shows the current state of the racks that used to hold the Titanic’s lifeboats. These critical components of the ship’s safety equipment now lie among the wreckage on the sea bed. They stand as a moving symbol of the Titanic’s history and the lives connected to its journey.</p>

Lifeboat Rack

This image shows the current state of the racks that used to hold the Titanic’s lifeboats. These critical components of the ship’s safety equipment now lie among the wreckage on the sea bed. They stand as a moving symbol of the Titanic’s history and the lives connected to its journey.

<p>This collection presents items discovered through underwater explorations. Each artifact, a silent testament to the lives and narratives aboard the Titanic, has been meticulously recovered from the ocean floor. These objects provide invaluable insights into the daily experiences of passengers and crew on the ill-fated voyage.</p>

Artifacts from the Titanic

This collection presents items discovered through underwater explorations. Each artifact, a silent testament to the lives and narratives aboard the Titanic, has been meticulously recovered from the ocean floor. These objects provide invaluable insights into the daily experiences of passengers and crew on the ill-fated voyage.

The Propellers

The ship was powered by three engines, each connected to its own propeller crafted from a strong manganese bronze alloy. The propellers on the two outer engines were 23.5 feet in diameter, delivering substantial thrust. The central propeller, slightly smaller at 17 feet in diameter, played an integral role in the ship’s propulsion system.

<p>In this scene, a woman is shown selling Irish Lace, proudly displaying her goods. Close by, Captain Smith passes her, seemingly engrossed in his responsibilities or musings. This moment encapsulates a glimpse of daily life aboard the Titanic, where a variety of activities and people’s lives intersected.</p>

Lace Vendor

In this scene, a woman is shown selling Irish Lace, proudly displaying her goods. Close by, Captain Smith passes her, seemingly engrossed in his responsibilities or musings. This moment encapsulates a glimpse of daily life aboard the Titanic, where a variety of activities and people’s lives intersected.

The Forward Bow

This image captures the forward bow of the RMS Titanic, now resting on the ocean floor. Scientists have discovered a rust-eating bacteria in the waters surrounding the wreck, which accelerates the decay process. This has led to a faster deterioration of the ship as it continues to succumb to rust at the bottom of the Atlantic.

<p>The Reading and Writing Room located on A-Deck offered a peaceful sanctuary where passengers could unwind, delve into a book, or write letters to their dear ones. Situated on the port side of the hallway connecting the Grand Staircase to the Lounge, this room was designated solely for female passengers. It provided a calm refuge where women could either enjoy quiet moments alone or engage in social activities in a comfortable and refined environment.</p>

1st Class Reading Room

The Reading and Writing Room located on A-Deck offered a peaceful sanctuary where passengers could unwind, delve into a book, or write letters to their dear ones. Situated on the port side of the hallway connecting the Grand Staircase to the Lounge, this room was designated solely for female passengers. It provided a calm refuge where women could either enjoy quiet moments alone or engage in social activities in a comfortable and refined environment.

<p>These windows provide a glimpse into the first-class cabin, acting as portals to the luxurious accommodations reserved for the Titanic’s most elite passengers. Accessible through these windows, the cabin was a key feature of the ship’s premium offerings, showcasing the opulence and grandeur onboard.</p>

Luxurious First-Class Cabin Views

These windows provide a glimpse into the first-class cabin, acting as portals to the luxurious accommodations reserved for the Titanic’s most elite passengers. Accessible through these windows, the cabin was a key feature of the ship’s premium offerings, showcasing the opulence and grandeur onboard.

<p>A wedding photograph taken in Staten Island, New York in 1912 captures the essence of an era’s fashion. The attire shown in the image has been linked to the term ‘Titanic Era Fashion,’ reflecting the public’s interest in the styles that were popular around the time of the RMS Titanic’s sinking. This association demonstrates how major events, such as the Titanic tragedy, can shape and define the fashion trends of a specific period.</p>

Titanic Era Fashion

A wedding photograph taken in Staten Island, New York in 1912 captures the essence of an era’s fashion. The attire shown in the image has been linked to the term ‘Titanic Era Fashion,’ reflecting the public’s interest in the styles that were popular around the time of the RMS Titanic’s sinking. This association demonstrates how major events, such as the Titanic tragedy, can shape and define the fashion trends of a specific period.

<p>Madeleine Astor was an American socialite who survived the catastrophic sinking of the RMS Titanic. She was the second wife of wealthy businessman John Jacob Astor IV and became a widow after he perished in the disaster. Madeleine boarded the Titanic in Cherbourg, France, as a first-class passenger while five months pregnant. Tragically, she passed away years later due to a heart condition at her mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, on March 27, 1940, at the age of 46.</p>

Madeleine Talmage Force Astor

Madeleine Astor was an American socialite who survived the catastrophic sinking of the RMS Titanic. She was the second wife of wealthy businessman John Jacob Astor IV and became a widow after he perished in the disaster. Madeleine boarded the Titanic in Cherbourg, France, as a first-class passenger while five months pregnant. Tragically, she passed away years later due to a heart condition at her mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, on March 27, 1940, at the age of 46.

<p>The ship’s propellers were installed on substantial shafts that linked straight to the engines, enabling the transmission of mechanical power. While the central propeller could be halted, it did not have the ability to reverse. This design aspect affected the ship’s maneuverability and performance characteristics.</p>

Propeller Shafts

The ship’s propellers were installed on substantial shafts that linked straight to the engines, enabling the transmission of mechanical power. While the central propeller could be halted, it did not have the ability to reverse. This design aspect affected the ship’s maneuverability and performance characteristics.

The Grand Staircase

The grand staircase in the first class section stretched across seven decks of the RMS Titanic, serving as a luxurious corridor throughout the ship. Each landing welcomed passengers with opulent entrance halls adorned with gold-plated light fixtures, highlighting the ship’s grandeur. The uppermost landing featured a grand wooden panel intricately carved, housing a clock that served as a central design element. It is believed that the force of water flooding the ship during its sinking might have thrust the staircase upwards, causing it to break through the glass dome that covered it.

<p>The Promenade Deck on the RMS Titanic was located just beneath the top deck, designated exclusively for first-class passengers. This deck provided a serene and leisurely environment, enabling the ship’s most esteemed travelers to bask in the sea breeze and scenic views with a sense of privacy. It highlighted the ship’s opulence and the social class distinctions, being meticulously designed to cater to the comfort and desires of its first-class guests.</p>

First Class Promenade Deck

The Promenade Deck on the RMS Titanic was located just beneath the top deck, designated exclusively for first-class passengers. This deck provided a serene and leisurely environment, enabling the ship’s most esteemed travelers to bask in the sea breeze and scenic views with a sense of privacy. It highlighted the ship’s opulence and the social class distinctions, being meticulously designed to cater to the comfort and desires of its first-class guests.

<p>In this portrayal, passengers are seen enjoying a leisurely walk on one of the ten decks of the RMS Titanic. These vast decks offered plenty of space for relaxation and social interactions on the famed ocean liner. The image encapsulates a snapshot of daily life aboard the Titanic, highlighting the ship’s magnificence and grandeur.</p>

Strolling on the Titanic Deck

In this portrayal, passengers are seen enjoying a leisurely walk on one of the ten decks of the RMS Titanic. These vast decks offered plenty of space for relaxation and social interactions on the famed ocean liner. The image encapsulates a snapshot of daily life aboard the Titanic, highlighting the ship’s magnificence and grandeur.

<p>Numerous Titanic disaster survivors lost nearly all their personal possessions to the ocean. This image depicts White Star Line crew members receiving clothing. These provisions were vital in assisting them to cope in the wake of the tragedy.</p>

Clothing Provided to Titanic Crew Members

Numerous Titanic disaster survivors lost nearly all their personal possessions to the ocean. This image depicts White Star Line crew members receiving clothing. These provisions were vital in assisting them to cope in the wake of the tragedy.

<p>On April 18, 1912, the Carpathia reached Pier 54 in New York, bringing with it survivors of the Titanic tragedy. Prior to allowing the survivors to disembark, the Carpathia transported the empty lifeboats from the Titanic to Pier 59. Afterward, the ship returned to Pier 54 to unload the survivors, concluding their traumatic journey.</p>

Arrival of Titanic Lifeboats at Pier 59

On April 18, 1912, the Carpathia reached Pier 54 in New York, bringing with it survivors of the Titanic tragedy. Prior to allowing the survivors to disembark, the Carpathia transported the empty lifeboats from the Titanic to Pier 59. Afterward, the ship returned to Pier 54 to unload the survivors, concluding their traumatic journey.

<p>The RMS Titanic, a marvel of its time, was built by the Northern Irish industrial giant Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Ireland, at a cost of 7.5 million U.S. dollars. The keel was laid on March 31, 1909, and construction was completed by April 2, 1912. Tragically, the ship sank, claiming the life of Thomas Andrews, the visionary architect behind its design and construction. Andrews’ contributions were significant, representing a pinnacle in early 20th-century shipbuilding.</p>

Construction of the RMS Titanic by Harland and Wolff

The RMS Titanic, a marvel of its time, was built by the Northern Irish industrial giant Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Ireland, at a cost of 7.5 million U.S. dollars. The keel was laid on March 31, 1909, and construction was completed by April 2, 1912. Tragically, the ship sank, claiming the life of Thomas Andrews, the visionary architect behind its design and construction. Andrews’ contributions were significant, representing a pinnacle in early 20th-century shipbuilding.

<p>This photograph features Captain Edward Smith with fellow White Star Line crew members. It captures a moment of camaraderie, showing Captain Smith at the forefront. The image offers a glimpse into the lives of those who played crucial roles in operating the RMS Titanic.</p>

This photograph features Captain Edward Smith with fellow White Star Line crew members. It captures a moment of camaraderie, showing Captain Smith at the forefront. The image offers a glimpse into the lives of those who played crucial roles in operating the RMS Titanic.

The Turkish Baths

This image showcases the current state of the Turkish Baths, providing a glimpse into the remnants of what was once a luxurious amenity on the Titanic. The photograph offers a poignant look at the passage of time and the enduring legacy of the ship’s facilities.

<p>The image displays the bow of the RMS Titanic, a notable element of the ship’s design. This segment of the Titanic, famously known for its distinctive outline, was integral to the ship’s steering capabilities. In contemporary times, it stands as a powerful emblem of the Titanic’s history and its unfortunate demise in the ocean depths.</p>

The Bow of RMS Titanic

The image displays the bow of the RMS Titanic, a notable element of the ship’s design. This segment of the Titanic, famously known for its distinctive outline, was integral to the ship’s steering capabilities. In contemporary times, it stands as a powerful emblem of the Titanic’s history and its unfortunate demise in the ocean depths.

<p>John Jacob Astor IV was a diverse American personality, recognized for his roles as a businessman, real estate developer, investor, inventor, author, and his military service as a lieutenant colonel in the Spanish-American War. He was also a prominent member of the renowned Astor family. Astor tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, during its inaugural voyage. At the time of his death, he was the wealthiest passenger on the ship and one of the world’s richest individuals, with an estimated fortune of nearly $87 million.</p>

John Jacob ‘Jack’ Astor IV

John Jacob Astor IV was a diverse American personality, recognized for his roles as a businessman, real estate developer, investor, inventor, author, and his military service as a lieutenant colonel in the Spanish-American War. He was also a prominent member of the renowned Astor family. Astor tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, during its inaugural voyage. At the time of his death, he was the wealthiest passenger on the ship and one of the world’s richest individuals, with an estimated fortune of nearly $87 million.

<p>William Carter filed an insurance claim for $5,000 due to the loss of his Renault automobile during the Titanic disaster. This particular vehicle gained later fame as it was featured in James Cameron’s 1997 film ‘Titanic.’ The inclusion of the Renault in the movie serves as a nod to the historical details and personal stories intertwined with the Titanic’s legacy.</p>

William Carter filed an insurance claim for $5,000 due to the loss of his Renault automobile during the Titanic disaster. This particular vehicle gained later fame as it was featured in James Cameron’s 1997 film ‘Titanic.’ The inclusion of the Renault in the movie serves as a nod to the historical details and personal stories intertwined with the Titanic’s legacy.

<p>In this moment captured in time, a group of eager passengers are seen stepping aboard the RMS Titanic, docked at the port of Southampton. This scene marks the beginning of what was to be the Titanic’s maiden and only voyage – a journey that has since become a poignant symbol of human ambition and tragedy. The anticipation and excitement of the passengers, unaware of the fate that awaited them, highlight the historical significance of the Titanic’s departure from Southampton.</p>

Passengers Boarding the Titanic

In this moment captured in time, a group of eager passengers are seen stepping aboard the RMS Titanic, docked at the port of Southampton. This scene marks the beginning of what was to be the Titanic’s maiden and only voyage – a journey that has since become a poignant symbol of human ambition and tragedy. The anticipation and excitement of the passengers, unaware of the fate that awaited them, highlight the historical significance of the Titanic’s departure from Southampton.

<p>The photograph presents the RMS Titanic inside the Great Gantry, focusing on its complex propeller system. This image gives a detailed look at the technological feats that powered the renowned ocean liner. Taken during the construction of the Titanic, it showcases the innovative engineering and precise craftsmanship that went into its development.</p>

RMS Titanic’s Engineering Marvel

The photograph presents the RMS Titanic inside the Great Gantry, focusing on its complex propeller system. This image gives a detailed look at the technological feats that powered the renowned ocean liner. Taken during the construction of the Titanic, it showcases the innovative engineering and precise craftsmanship that went into its development.

<p>Depicted here are the third-class passengers of the RMS Titanic. This diverse group of individuals was in search of new opportunities and adventures across the Atlantic. Their voyage on the Titanic epitomizes the broader narrative of migration and hope in the early 20th century.</p>

Third Class Passengers Aboard the RMS Titanic

Depicted here are the third-class passengers of the RMS Titanic. This diverse group of individuals was in search of new opportunities and adventures across the Atlantic. Their voyage on the Titanic epitomizes the broader narrative of migration and hope in the early 20th century.

<p>The RMS Titanic was outfitted with a pair of anchors, each tipping the scales at a remarkable 15 tons. These hefty anchors were essential for the ship’s secure mooring. Their considerable weight highlights the vast scale and engineering expertise that went into the Titanic’s construction.</p>

The Anchors

The RMS Titanic was outfitted with a pair of anchors, each tipping the scales at a remarkable 15 tons. These hefty anchors were essential for the ship’s secure mooring. Their considerable weight highlights the vast scale and engineering expertise that went into the Titanic’s construction.

<p>This iconic photograph captures the RMS Titanic during its sea trials on April 2, 1912. These crucial tests were conducted to evaluate the ocean liner’s seaworthiness, speed, and handling abilities before its tragic maiden voyage. This vital phase served as the final assessment to ensure the Titanic was prepared to traverse the vast Atlantic Ocean.</p>

RMS Titanic Sea Trials

This iconic photograph captures the RMS Titanic during its sea trials on April 2, 1912. These crucial tests were conducted to evaluate the ocean liner’s seaworthiness, speed, and handling abilities before its tragic maiden voyage. This vital phase served as the final assessment to ensure the Titanic was prepared to traverse the vast Atlantic Ocean.

<p>First Class passengers on the Titanic had the luxury of accessing the Turkish Baths for a fee of four shillings, or one dollar. This offered a unique way to relax and alleviate any discomforts. The exclusive suite included a variety of amenities such as a steam room, hot and temperate rooms, shampooing rooms, toilets, and a cooling room for a comprehensive spa experience. Among the cutting-edge features was an innovative addition: electric beds. These beds used electric lamps to apply soothing heat to the body, showcasing the ship’s embrace of modern technology.</p>

First Class passengers on the Titanic had the luxury of accessing the Turkish Baths for a fee of four shillings, or one dollar. This offered a unique way to relax and alleviate any discomforts. The exclusive suite included a variety of amenities such as a steam room, hot and temperate rooms, shampooing rooms, toilets, and a cooling room for a comprehensive spa experience. Among the cutting-edge features was an innovative addition: electric beds. These beds used electric lamps to apply soothing heat to the body, showcasing the ship’s embrace of modern technology.

<p>The RMS Titanic had a design capacity to accommodate 2,435 passengers and 892 crew members, making for a total of 3,327 people. When it sank, the ship was carrying 2,224 passengers and crew. Sadly, over 1,500 individuals perished in the catastrophe.</p>

The RMS Titanic had a design capacity to accommodate 2,435 passengers and 892 crew members, making for a total of 3,327 people. When it sank, the ship was carrying 2,224 passengers and crew. Sadly, over 1,500 individuals perished in the catastrophe.

<p>Pictured here are crew members who survived the catastrophic sinking of the RMS Titanic. Their remarkable survival tales are integral to the extensive collection of personal stories linked to this historic tragedy. These individuals are among the few who escaped the dire fate that claimed the lives of over 1,500 passengers and crew on that ill-fated night.</p>

Surviving Crew Members

Pictured here are crew members who survived the catastrophic sinking of the RMS Titanic. Their remarkable survival tales are integral to the extensive collection of personal stories linked to this historic tragedy. These individuals are among the few who escaped the dire fate that claimed the lives of over 1,500 passengers and crew on that ill-fated night.

<p>The Titanic was equipped with two prominent pole masts primarily constructed from steel, spaced approximately 600 feet apart. These towering structures added to the ship’s majestic silhouette. Each mast featured a 15-foot teak section at the very top, providing a distinctive summit. Standing around 205 feet above the ship’s maximum load line, this precise height was crucial to support the Marconi aerial wires, which were vital for long-distance wireless communication.</p>

Majestic Masts of the Titanic

The Titanic was equipped with two prominent pole masts primarily constructed from steel, spaced approximately 600 feet apart. These towering structures added to the ship’s majestic silhouette. Each mast featured a 15-foot teak section at the very top, providing a distinctive summit. Standing around 205 feet above the ship’s maximum load line, this precise height was crucial to support the Marconi aerial wires, which were vital for long-distance wireless communication.

<p>The image showcases one of the Titanic’s massive propellers, now lying on the ocean floor. Over the years, this propeller has transformed into a submerged relic, a testament to the tragic demise of the Titanic. Its enormous size and well-preserved state stand as a stark reminder of the engineering excellence that went into the construction of the ill-fated ship.</p>

The Titanic’s Colossal Propeller

The image showcases one of the Titanic’s massive propellers, now lying on the ocean floor. Over the years, this propeller has transformed into a submerged relic, a testament to the tragic demise of the Titanic. Its enormous size and well-preserved state stand as a stark reminder of the engineering excellence that went into the construction of the ill-fated ship.

<p>Within one of the Strauss Suites, a luxurious fireplace features a gilded clock that has remarkably remained intact. The clock hands are perpetually frozen at 2:04, capturing a silent moment in time. This enduring piece adds an eerie touch to the suite’s opulent decor, serving as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s final hours.</p>

Within one of the Strauss Suites, a luxurious fireplace features a gilded clock that has remarkably remained intact. The clock hands are perpetually frozen at 2:04, capturing a silent moment in time. This enduring piece adds an eerie touch to the suite’s opulent decor, serving as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s final hours.

<p>The photograph showcases several personal belongings that were found during expeditions to the Titanic’s wreck. These retrieved items create an emotional connection to the past, linking us to the people who previously possessed them. Their discovery aids in reconstructing the Titanic’s story, presenting a concrete connection to the events that transpired on that fateful night.</p>

The photograph showcases several personal belongings that were found during expeditions to the Titanic’s wreck. These retrieved items create an emotional connection to the past, linking us to the people who previously possessed them. Their discovery aids in reconstructing the Titanic’s story, presenting a concrete connection to the events that transpired on that fateful night.

<p>Edward John Smith, RD, was a highly respected officer in the British Merchant Navy and served as captain on multiple White Star Line vessels, prominently including the RMS Titanic. His career met a tragic end during the Titanic’s maiden voyage when he perished along with the ship.</p>

Captain Edward John Smith

Edward John Smith, RD, was a highly respected officer in the British Merchant Navy and served as captain on multiple White Star Line vessels, prominently including the RMS Titanic. His career met a tragic end during the Titanic’s maiden voyage when he perished along with the ship.

<p>The rudder of the RMS Titanic was an enormous structure, weighing over 100 tons, standing 78 feet 8 inches tall, and extending 15 feet 3 inches in width. This massive piece of engineering was crucial for the ship’s navigation. Operating the rudder required a steam-powered engine due to its sheer size and complexity. Despite having two engines installed to manage the rudder, only one was actually used to control its movements.</p>

The Titanic’s Rudder

The rudder of the RMS Titanic was an enormous structure, weighing over 100 tons, standing 78 feet 8 inches tall, and extending 15 feet 3 inches in width. This massive piece of engineering was crucial for the ship’s navigation. Operating the rudder required a steam-powered engine due to its sheer size and complexity. Despite having two engines installed to manage the rudder, only one was actually used to control its movements.

<p>A band is playing on a landing next to the second-class staircase, their music permeating the space and enriching the atmosphere for passengers moving between decks. This scene offers insight into the ship’s entertainment offerings, which extend beyond the exclusive first-class areas.</p>

Second-Class Staircase Performance

A band is playing on a landing next to the second-class staircase, their music permeating the space and enriching the atmosphere for passengers moving between decks. This scene offers insight into the ship’s entertainment offerings, which extend beyond the exclusive first-class areas.

<p>The exploration and recovery of items from the Titanic’s wreckage have provided us with a unique and deeply personal glimpse into the lives of those aboard the iconic ship. Through these artifacts, ranging from personal belongings to structural pieces of the Titanic itself, we are offered a tangible connection to history, bridging the gap between past and present. As we continue to uncover and preserve these remnants, they serve not only as a testament to human ingenuity and ambition but also as a solemn reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring impact of this maritime tragedy on collective memory.</p><p><a href="https://bodycamsplus.com/?utm_source=msnstart">For the Latest Breaking Crime & Justice News, Headlines & Videos, head to Body Cams+</a></p>

The exploration and recovery of items from the Titanic’s wreckage have provided us with a unique and deeply personal glimpse into the lives of those aboard the iconic ship. Through these artifacts, ranging from personal belongings to structural pieces of the Titanic itself, we are offered a tangible connection to history, bridging the gap between past and present. As we continue to uncover and preserve these remnants, they serve not only as a testament to human ingenuity and ambition but also as a solemn reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring impact of this maritime tragedy on collective memory.

For the Latest Breaking Crime & Justice News, Headlines & Videos, head to Body Cams+

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If the missing titanic submersible is found, how could the passengers be rescued?

Rescuers have detected noises repeating every 30 minutes from around the last known location of the Titan submersible. Could this make a rescue more likely?

The Titan submersible making a descent on a previous expedition.

Editor's Note: The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed that debris found near the Titanic's wreck are those of the lost Titan submersible, they said at a press conference on Thursday (June 22). All five men on board died when the Titan experienced a "catastrophic implosion." Read Live Science's coverage .

Periodic banging sounds detected at 30-minute intervals near the wreck of the Titanic may mean that the lost Titan submersible is intact with its crew alive inside, and it could even be recoverable, some experts say.

A Canadian reconnaissance plane detected the "underwater noises" using sonobuoys, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Northeast announced early Wednesday (June 21). The banging was detected every 30 minutes, and the noises were still being heard 4 hours later.

Rescuers are scrambling to locate the source of the pulses. Until it's found, it's impossible to know if the noises are coming from the Titanic's wreckage, something else below the ocean, or the lost vessel , which has been missing since the morning of June 18 with five people onboard.

If the sounds are from the submersible, scientists say it rules out a number of possibilities as to how it disappeared and opens a narrow window for potential rescue.

Related: Missing Titanic submersible: Banging sounds heard in search for lost sub Titan

"If the sounds are coming from the submersible and the source is what we think it might be, the catastrophic scenario of a housing implosion didn't happen," said Blair Thornton , a professor of Marine Autonomy at the University of Southampton in the U.K.

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If the submersible is found, Thornton said, a remotely-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) could bring it to the surface.

"I think locating it accurately is the biggest challenge. If you can locate it accurately and get submersibles to it, these ROVs are extremely capable platforms … they do a lot of manipulation tasks on targets that are not necessarily designed to be manipulated," Thornton told Live Science.

Lost in the abyss

The OceanGate Titan submersible went missing roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes into its 2.5-hour descent to the Titanic wreckage in a deep-sea trench in the North Atlantic Ocean. The sub now likely has less than 24 hours of its emergency oxygen supply remaining.

Before the periodic noises were detected, scientists suggested that Titan had most likely imploded due to a fault in its carbon fiber and titanium hull, or in its viewpoint — whose manufacturer only certified as safe at depths of 4,265 feet (1,300 meters). The Titanic wreck sits about 12,500 feet (3,800 m) below the surface.

Frank Owen, a former commander of the Australian Navy and ex-director of its submarine escape and rescue project, told BBC News he was confident the noises were coming from within the Titan.

"If there was a 30-minute interval, it's very unlikely to be anything but human related," he said. “Onboard this craft is a retired French navy diver. He would know the protocol for trying to alert searching forces … on the hour and the half hour you bang like hell for three minutes.”

After being asked about the possibility that noises were made by human beings trapped inside a submersible deep below the Atlantic Ocean, John Mauger, a Rear Admiral in the US Coast Guard, told CBS News: "This is an incredibly complex site. You have to remember that it's the wreck site of the Titanic. There is a lot of metal and different objects in the water around the site."

"That's why it's so important that we've engaged experts from the navy that understand the science behind noise so they can classify or give us better information about what the source of that noise may be," he said.

Titan rides over the waves on the way to a dive site.

Finding the Titan

The detection of the noises offers search and rescue teams some faint hope of finding the missing submersible, which could otherwise be lost among the Titanic's countless debris or carried miles from its initial diving site by powerful ocean currents.

"If a vehicle remains drifting in the water column, it could have drifted for several days by now, in which case we would expect it to be several tens of kilometres — or even further — away from the site," Thornton said. "So it does tell us that it's most likely stationary, and it could mean it's on the sea floor or or snagged on something."

Thornton said the single sonobuoy detection has probably already helped rescue teams narrow down the search area to 0.2 square miles (1 square kilometers) or so.

By deploying more sonobuoys (or arrays of underwater microphones called hydrophones) rescuers could use further noises to triangulate the sub's possible location to within 330 feet (100 m). ROV's tend to move at roughly human walking pace, so narrowing the search to a small area is essential.

"This starts to really become the range where a submersible at the right depth using active sonar can search a space like that," Thornton said.

Could there be a rescue?

If the Titan is found, attempting a rescue will still be a near-impossible challenge, and a record-breaking one at that. The deepest ocean rescue in history — the 1973 recovery of the Canadian submersible Pisces III and its two crew members off the coast of Ireland — took place at 1,575 feet (480 m) below the surface. That's eight times less than the greatest possible depth Titan could be resting at.

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On Tuesday, a Deep Energy cable-laying vessel deployed an ROV in the search area, although whether it can descend all the way to the wreck is unclear. Other vessels with ROVs are currently en route. One of the most promising is the French research vessel L'Atalante, which has two ROVs capable of descending to the Titanic wreck's depth.

Ships and ROVs have successfully recovered vehicles from Titanic depths before, such as a U.S. fighter jet that was recovered from 12,400 feet (3,780m) below the South China Sea last year. An ROV wrapped the aircraft in a net and attached it to a hook connected to a ship on the surface, which winched it up.

Whether the Titan, if found, would need to be winched is also a matter of speculation — depending on whether the craft’s ballasts, which flood with water to fall and air to rise, remain intact.

"If it's snagged by something not too heavy, it may be possible for a remotely operated vehicle with manipulators (robot arms) to dislodge the obstruction. Then the submersible might be able to float to the surface if its weights can be jettisoned," Nicolai Roterman , a deep-sea ecologist and marine biologist at the University of Portsmouth in the U.K, told Live Science. "Another possibility would be trying to attach something buoyant to the submersible, but I'm not aware of that having been done at such depths before."

Ben Turner is a U.K. based staff writer at Live Science. He covers physics and astronomy, among other topics like tech and climate change. He graduated from University College London with a degree in particle physics before training as a journalist. When he's not writing, Ben enjoys reading literature, playing the guitar and embarrassing himself with chess.

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‘I have enough money to build it 10 times over’: The Australian billionaire who has decided to rebuild the ‘Titanic’

Clive palmer has been a self-made man, a conservative politician with questionable allies and now wants to become the person who reconstruct the most famous ship in the history of navigation.

One of the most quoted remarks of Karl Marx is that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce. The RMS Titanic , the largest passenger ship in the world, sank in the Atlantic Ocean on the morning of April 15, 1912 — a maritime disaster that cost the lives of around 1,500 people.

That’s the tragedy. Now, a millionaire and former Australian MP, Clive Palmer, has announced he will build an exact replica of the ill-fated ship and, if all goes according to plan, it will be ready to sail in June 2027. That would be the farce.

It’s not the first time that Palmer, 69, has promised to rebuild the Titanic . He announced this plan in 2012, coinciding with the first centenary of the famous shipwreck and, again, in 2018. On both occasions, the magnate’s partners backed out at the last moment, and he had to pull the plug on the project due to lack of funding.

This time, he says, will be different because he doesn’t have to rely on outsider investment. “I’ve got more money now,” he said at the announcement, according to The Guardian. Thanks to his iron, coal and nickel mines, Palmer has become the 13th richest man in Australia and one of the thousand great plutocrats in the world (number 734 to be exact). He has a fortune of around $4 billion, and is willing to spend between $500 million and $1 billion on reconstructing a ship that could have reigned the seas, but met a watery end on its maiden voyage.

A 56,000-ton whim

Palmer plans to create a 56,000-ton luxury liner that is very faithful to the original model, with a length of 296 meters (length from bow to stern) and a beam of 32.2 meters (width). It will have capacity for 2,345 passengers, who will be divided between nine decks, and 835 cabins, 383 of them reserved for first-class passengers.

In a March 13 presentation at the Sydney Opera House, Palmer explained that second and third class tickets are intended to ensure that the Titanic II experience is within reach of all budgets. As was the case on the original ship, the first-class passengers will enjoy premium sparkling wines, oysters, caviar and lobster, while passengers with the cheapest tickets will be served stews and mash at a cafeteria just as Leonardo DiCaprio’s character Jack did in James Cameron’s film .

From what has emerged to date, Palmer — who owns the Blue Star Line cruise line — intends Titanic II to be a near exact replica of the maritime ruin that today lies in the depths of the ocean. It will have its famous central staircase with bronze garlands, skylights and crystal chandelier, inspired by the Versailles court of Louis XIV, as well as a lavish first-class smoking room, with mahogany panels and mother-of-pearl inlays. And the casinos, theaters, bronze cherubs and dance seen in Cameron’s Titanic will not be missing either. Nor will the Marconi Room, where wireless operators Jack Philip and Harold Bride sent their desperate SOS after the boat collided with an iceberg about 370 nautical miles off Newfoundland, Canada.

Trip down history

Even the four enormous chimneys, the steam turbine, the propulsion propellers and at least part of the 29 boiler rooms of the sunken ship are set to be replicated. But these will be just for decoration: Titanic II will run on a diesel engine. Passengers will be encouraged — but not forced — to dress in early 20th century fashion.

At the launch in Sydney, Palmer spoke of the project with great enthusiasm. “I’m going to do it. It’s a lot more fun to do the Titanic than it is to sit at home and count my money,” he said.

Although he is in a position to carry out the project himself, the billionaire is working with a group of investors and has employed the services of maritime design companies Deltamarin, V. Ships Leisure and Tillburg Design. The latter participated in making the luxury liners Queen Mary II and Queen Elizabeth II. Since 2018, Queen Elizabeth II has been a floating hotel with anchor in the port of Dubai.

But Palmer had to face tough questions from the press at the launch, according to Catie McLeod from The Guardian. Some journalists pointed out that he made a similar announcement 10 years ago at the Ritz hotel in London, only to scratch the project with little explanation. Others said it was a publicity stunt or a hoax. The mining magnate dismissed the accusations as “bullshit,” saying he had “enough money to build the Titanic 10 times over.”

He’s working with a tight calendar, however, Beyond the promotional videos and 3D renders of the ship, all signs indicate that the project is in its infancy. It is not yet known which shipyard will build Titanic II , but Palmer is expected to publish the tenders in June and sign contracts in December. That month marks the start of the 30-month countdown to the ship’s maiden voyage, which is scheduled for the end of spring 2027. The route is yet-to-be determined, but it will likely be similar to the original crossing across the North Atlantic. The Titanic went from Southampton to New York, with brief stops in the French city of Cherbourg and the Irish port of Queenstown (today Cobh).

Don’t mention the weather

“What could possibly go wrong?” Taryn Pedler asks — not entirely rhetorically — in an article in The Daily Mail . He reports that Palmer told the audience at the launch that he would create “the ship of love,” a contemporary fantasy for people nostalgic for the glittering, optimistic world that preceded the First World War. According to Pedler, Blue Star Line said that the floating palace will be safe and iceberg-proof thanks to its “21st century technology.”

After all, there have only been 22 other cruise liner shipwrecks since the sinking of the Titanic , and none as catastrophic as the M/S Estonia , which foundered in Finnish Baltic waters in September 1994, killing 852 people. The last major disaster was in 2012, when the Costa Concordia cruise ship struck a rock formation on the sea floor.

But it is very unlikely that there will be a repeat of the Titanic tragedy at this point in the 21st century. In the wake of the launch, the media, including Forbes magazine, has taken a closer look at the man behind the elaborate project. From these details, Palmer — born in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1954 — largely appears to be a self-made businessman.

Raised in a middle-class family, he studied Law, Journalism and Political Science and became rich during the Gold Coast property boom in the mid-1980s. This allowed him to retire from his ordinary activities at the age of 29 and follow his nose for investment, becoming a little bit richer every year. Before embarking on the Titanic project, he founded a football club (Gold Coast United) and took it to the highest professional level in record time. He also founded the Palmer United Party, which won him a seat in parliament in the 2017 federal election.

In politics, Palmer ended up associating with dubious characters such as Craig Kelly, a climate-change denier. Hand in hand with his new ally, the billionaire ended up defending controversial ideas about the origin of Covid-19 and the effectiveness of vaccines. In 2022, after being deserted by voters, he chose to disband the party. This decision coincided with alleged financial problems and up to four lawsuits for fraud and dishonest activities.

The news now is that Palmer seems to have weathered the storm and boasts, with good reason, that he is richer than ever. Nickel mines continue to generate profits. And recreating one of the most famous shipwrecks in history, if it comes to fruition, has become his life’s work.

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A Piano From the Titanic’s Sister Ship Awaits Its Next Audience

A gilt-trimmed upright Steinway piano commissioned in 1912 for the ocean liner Olympic is on dry land and ready to be heard again.

A dark brown upright piano with its keyboard uncovered. It features patterns of waves and flowers in golden gilding.

By Eve M. Kahn

This article is part of our Design special section about water as a source of creativity.

During the Titanic’s maiden voyage, musicians played pianos from Steinway & Sons to entertain passengers with waltzes and opera overtures. A twin of one of the ship’s Steinway instruments has been found in northern England, and a new nonprofit organization is gearing up to return it to the limelight.

The gilt-trimmed walnut upright, now at the showroom of Besbrode Pianos in Leeds, was commissioned in 1912 for the Titanic’s sister ship, the Olympic. It was made by the same craftspeople, and in the same style and materials, as its disintegrated counterparts underwater near Newfoundland. But before its provenance trail was traced in the last few years, “Nobody showed the slightest bit of interest in it,” said Melvin Besbrode, the showroom’s owner.

The nonprofit RMS Olympic Steinway Association aims to raise about $125,000 to acquire it and make it publicly accessible. The only other Olympic piano known to survive is a Steinway grand with checkerboard inlays, which the musician Bill Wyman sold through Sotheby’s in 1994 for about $38,000. Its current location is a mystery. “No one can hear it, no one can see it, and we don’t want that to happen again,” said Patrick Cornelius Vida, an Austrian musician who is the association’s president.

Mr. Vida has made pilgrimages to Besbrode Pianos to bask in the upright’s aura and used it for filmed performances of 1910s music . “It’s stayed within my soul, within my memory,” he said. “It’s a grand old lady who’s young at heart.”

The association has made a documentary , explaining that the piano’s “timber, character and tonal quality” are nearly identical to what Titanic passengers heard. When the Besbrode piano was in use for decades aboard the Olympic (which was scrapped in 1935), the passengers included Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Irving Berlin, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks.

Mr. Besbrode acquired the piano in 2008 from a dealer in Ireland, when nothing was known about its globe-trotting past; it had somehow ended up in a family home near Cork. In 2021, he sold it to André Maiwald, a piano dealer in northwest Germany. It served as a prop in the German castle where Pablo Larrain’s 2021 movie “Spencer,” a fictional portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales, was filmed.

Mr. Maiwald started digging deeper into the instrument’s back story partly because of its unusual woodwork. Bands of crashing ocean waves, carved along its top and legs, gave him a feeling: “There’s something special about this piano.”

The instrument bore Steinway’s serial number 157550, and company records and historic photos confirmed that it was sent aboard the Olympic. Ghosts of screw holes in the piano’s sides suggest how it was anchored to the ocean liner’s walls.

During or after its maritime service, its original gilding and carvings of bellflowers were stripped away. The design drawings, produced by a London interior decorating firm, Aldam Heaton & Company, which also outfitted the Titanic, turned up in the collection of Daniel Klistorner, an expert on the Titanic and other ocean liners. Mr. Maiwald commissioned new gilding and floral embellishments from Margret Link , a German artist.

Anthony Gilroy, a vice president at Steinway, said that it was unknown whether other Olympic pianos were tucked away in obscurity. As ocean liner travel went out of fashion, he said, some seagoing instruments’ origins were likely forgotten: “The glow of fame would have subsided.”

Andrew Aldridge, an expert on memorabilia from the Titanic and other ocean liners who runs the Henry Aldridge & Son auction house in England, described Mr. Maiwald’s Olympic upright as “a fabulous piece of history” deserving preservation.

“It’s a tangible link to its sister piano at the bottom of the ocean,” he said.

He added, however, that the asking price of about $125,000 is likely “an optimistic number.” His high auction estimate for it would be in the $50,000 range.

Mr. Besbrode said he hoped that the RMS Olympic Steinway Association could persuade a museum to take on the instrument. For the time being, he is enjoying having a newly identified star on his premises: “It now has its history with it.”

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Titanic Tours: What To Know About These Underwater Excursions
Package Tours On Titanic Shipwreck Underwater Excursions. There are now two companies offering underwater tours of the Titanic's wreckage. Bluefish and OceanGate, which has its headquarters in Everett Washington, both offer dives to the site that cost roughly $60,000- $105,129 per person, not including airfare or lodging.
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You Can Now Go On An Underwater Tour to See The Titanic. Movies, books, soundtracks, television documentaries and even Titanic II - so much has been dedicated to the ill-fated RMS Titanic that it's become the stuff of legend. On Tuesday, lux British tour operator, Blue Marble Private announced that it will begin a load of diving trips down ...
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One of the most quoted remarks of Karl Marx is that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce. The RMS Titanic, the largest passenger ship in the world, sank in the Atlantic Ocean on the morning of April 15, 1912 — a maritime disaster that cost the lives of around 1,500 people.. That's the tragedy. Now, a millionaire and former Australian MP, Clive Palmer, has announced he ...
A Piano From the Titanic's Sister Ship Awaits Its Next Audience
A gilt-trimmed upright Steinway piano commissioned in 1912 for the ocean liner Olympic is on dry land and ready to be heard again. By Eve M. Kahn This article is part of our Design special section ...