Lost Titanic statue rediscovered in decades-first expedition

A bronze statue from the Titanic, long thought to be lost forever, has been rediscovered during a recent expedition by the company holding salvage rights to the wreck site.

The expedition to the remote North Atlantic Ocean, where the Titanic sank, coincided with the U.S. Coast Guard’s investigation into the June 2023 implosion of the Titan, a submersible owned by another company.

The Titan submersible disaster killed all five people on board, including Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who was director of underwater research for RMS Titanic.

RMS Titanic Inc. described the findings from this summer’s trip as a “bittersweet mix of preservation and loss.”

A key highlight was the rediscovery of the statue “Diana of Versailles,” which has not been seen since 1986. The company has now released a clear and updated image of the statue.

However, a significant section of the railing that surrounds the ship bow’s forecastle deck has fallen, RMS Titanic said. The railing still stood as recently as 2022, the company said.

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

The crew spent 20 days at the site and returned to Providence, Rhode Island, on 9 August. They captured more than two million of the highest-resolution images ever taken of the wreck. The team also fully mapped the wreck and its debris field using advanced equipment that will be used to enhance understanding of the site.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard’s investigation into the Titan submersible tragedy will be the focus of a public hearing later in September.

Nargeolet’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against OceanGate, the Titan sub’s operator, which has since suspended operations.