37 Facts About Titanic Artifacts

Titanic Artifacts: A Glimpse into History

The RMS Titanic, one of the most infamous ships in history, has left behind a treasure trove of artifacts that continue to fascinate people around the world. From the intricate furnishings to the personal belongings of passengers, these artifacts provide a poignant glimpse into the lives of those who sailed on the ill-fated vessel. Let's explore some fascinating facts about Titanic artifacts, their history, significance, and the processes involved in their recovery and preservation.

Number of Artifacts Recovered

1. Over 6,000 artifacts have been recovered from the Titanic wreck site, each one telling a unique story about the ship and its passengers.

Preservation Process

2. When artifacts are recovered from the wreckage site, they are immediately placed in tanks of salt water to slow down the corrosion process. They are then slowly transitioned to salt-free water and dried over several months. Paper items are freeze-dried and vacuumed to remove all salt and debris.

Types of Artifacts

3. The recovered artifacts include a wide range of items such as shoes with the imprint of a foot inside, pajamas, gloves, sheet music from Broadway shows, bronze cherubs from the grand staircase, and even a 30,000-pound piece of the ship's hull.

Condition of Artifacts

4. Despite being submerged in the ocean for over a century, many of the artifacts are surprisingly well-preserved. This is due to the cold, dark, oxygen-poor environment where the ship rests, as well as the fact that some items were treated with chemicals that made them impervious to ocean microbes.

Artifacts in Museums

5. Many of the recovered artifacts are included in several Titanic museum exhibits around the world. For example, the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool has a significant collection that includes a life belt saved by a Titanic survivor and a nameplate removed from one of the ship's lifeboats aboard the Carpathia.

Smithsonian National Museum Collection

6. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History also owns a number of Titanic artifacts, including Bernice Palmer Ellis’s Kodak “Brownie” camera and photos she took of the rescued Titanic survivors.

Luxor Exhibit

7. A 12-foot-by-26-foot piece of the starboard hull was displayed in a Titanic museum exhibit at the Luxor in Las Vegas in 2011.

Rusticles and Bacteria

8. The Titanic wreck site is home to marine microbes that feed on the iron from the ship and form long “rusticles.” These microbes are literally devouring the ship, with the stern deteriorating more quickly than the bow due to stored food providing nutrients for the bacteria.

New Species of Bacteria

9. In 2010, scientists announced the discovery of a new bacteria found in samples of rusticles brought up from the ship, which was dubbed Halomonas titanicae.

Ballard’s Ethical Concerns

10. Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic wreck in 1985, was disturbed by treasure hunters and believed that recovering artifacts from the wreck site was akin to desecrating a gravesite. He advocated for not pulling anything up from the wreck.

Salvage Operations

11. Despite Ballard’s views, salvage operations began in 1987, with RMS Titanic Inc. leading the efforts to recover artifacts from the debris field surrounding the ship. They focus on items that are not directly from the ship itself to avoid violating ethical standards.

Garbage and Sewage Regulations

12. Since 2012, it has been a big no-no for ships traveling in the area to jettison any garbage or sewage near the wreck site to prevent further contamination and damage to the artifacts.

Artifacts Reflecting Passenger Lives

13. Among the recovered artifacts are personal items such as shoes, pajamas, gloves, and sheet music. These items provide a poignant glimpse into the lives of passengers and crew members.

Bronze Cherub from Grand Staircase

14. A bronze cherub from the ship’s grand staircase is one of the many artifacts that have been recovered and preserved. This piece is particularly significant as it was part of the luxurious interior of the ship.

30,000-Pound Hull Piece

15. A 30,000-pound piece of the ship’s hull is another notable artifact. This massive piece provides a tangible connection to the massive structure that once sailed the seas.

Life Belt and Nameplate

16. The Merseyside Maritime Museum has a life belt saved by a Titanic survivor and a nameplate removed from one of the ship’s lifeboats aboard the Carpathia. These items are crucial in understanding the events surrounding the disaster.

Telegram from Carpathia’s Captain

17. The museum also owns an actual telegram sent from the Carpathia’s captain Arthur Rostron to Cunard headquarters, telling the company about the disaster. This telegram is a historical document that provides insight into the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

Porcelain Dishes and Pince-Nez Glasses

18. Among the artifacts retrieved from the wreckage itself are porcelain dishes and a pair of pince-nez glasses. These items give a glimpse into the daily lives of passengers and crew members.

Gold Hat Pins

19. Gold hat pins are another artifact that has been recovered. These small items may seem insignificant, but they add to the rich tapestry of artifacts that tell the story of the Titanic.

First-Class Ticket

20. The museum owns the sole surviving first-class ticket for the Titanic’s only voyage. This ticket belonged to a clergyman who opted to stay home and tend to his wife who had fallen ill the night before departure.

Kodak “Brownie” Camera

21. Bernice Palmer Ellis’s Kodak “Brownie” camera and photos she took of the rescued Titanic survivors are part of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s collection. These photographs provide a unique perspective on the disaster.

Ship’s Plan Sold for $336,000

22. A detailed plan of the Titanic’s ship plan sold in 2011 for $336,000. This document is significant for its historical value and provides detailed insights into the ship’s design and layout.

Chief Baker’s Logbook

23. The chief baker’s logbook is another artifact that has been recovered. This logbook provides a detailed account of the daily activities of the ship’s kitchen crew, offering a glimpse into the culinary life on board.

John Jacob Astor IV’s Wealth

24. John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest man aboard, was worth an estimated $85 million at the time, or about $2 billion today. He perished along with the ship, leaving behind a legacy of wealth and tragedy.

Iceberg Spotted at 11:30 PM

25. The iceberg that hit the Titanic was first spotted at 11:30 PM on April 14. A lookout spotted the iceberg and frantically rang the warning bell, but it was too late to avoid the collision.

Optical Illusion Theory

26. Historian Tim Maltin suggests that an optical illusion may have prevented spotting the iceberg on time. Atmospheric conditions that night likely caused super refraction, which could have camouflaged the iceberg.

Lifeboat Capacity

27. Only 28 people boarded the first lifeboat, which had the space to carry 65 people. This highlights the tragic underutilization of lifeboats during the disaster.

Music Book for First-Class Passengers

28. First-class passengers received a music book containing 352 songs. Musicians aboard were expected to learn all of the songs prior to the trip in case a guest requested one.

Titanic Film Revenue

29. James Cameron’s adaptation of the Titanic grossed over $2.2 billion worldwide, which would be enough to fund the construction of nearly 11 new Titanic ships. This revenue has significantly contributed to the preservation and exhibition of Titanic artifacts.

Guggenheim’s Evening Wear

30. American businessman Benjamin Guggenheim and his valet, Victor Giglio, changed into their best evening wear upon hearing the ship was sinking. Guggenheim reportedly said, “We’re dressed to the nines and prepared to go down like gentlemen”.

Milton Hershey’s Missed Voyage

31. Milton Hershey, the inventor of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar, wrote a $300 check to reserve his stateroom on the RMS Titanic. However, business took precedence, and Hershey and his wife missed out on the excursion.

Titanic’s Four Funnels

32. Only three of the Titanic’s four funnels worked. The robust ship’s four funnels were partially for show, adding to its grandeur and luxury.

Chief Baker’s Treadmill

33. The chief baker treaded a treadmill to keep his feet in shape for the long voyage. This unique piece of equipment reflects the attention to detail in maintaining the health and well-being of crew members.

Titanic’s Mail Ship Status

34. The Titanic was a mail ship, carrying 3,500 sacks of mail on board. This status earned it the designation of Royal Mail Ship (RMS).

Titanic’s Sister Ships

35. The Titanic had two sister ships: the Olympic, which launched on October 20, 1910, and the Britannic, which launched on February 26, 1914.

Titanic’s Safety Features

36. The Titanic had safeguards against flooding, with 16 compartments that could be closed to contain water if water came over the hull. However, this safety feature was not enough to prevent the disaster.

Titanic’s Wreck Location

37. The Titanic lies 12,600 feet underwater, nearly 2.5 miles beneath the surface of the ocean, approximately 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The ship broke in two, with a gap of about 2,000 feet in the sea bed.

The Enduring Legacy of Titanic Artifacts

Titanic artifacts offer a powerful connection to the past, revealing the lives of those aboard the ill-fated ship. Over 6,000 items have been recovered, from personal belongings like shoes and gloves to significant pieces like a 30,000-pound hull fragment. These artifacts, preserved through meticulous processes, are displayed in museums worldwide, allowing us to glimpse the ship's grandeur and the human stories intertwined with its history. The discovery of new bacteria and ongoing ethical debates about artifact recovery add layers to the Titanic's legacy. Each item, whether a gold hat pin or a first-class ticket, contributes to our understanding of this maritime tragedy. As the Titanic continues to deteriorate on the ocean floor, these artifacts ensure that the ship's story remains alive for future generations. They remind us of the fragility of life and the enduring impact of history.