The Titanic, one of the most infamous shipwrecks in history, continues to yield incredible artifacts from the ocean floor. Here are ten of the most intriguing discoveries made since the ship’s tragic sinking.
10. Musical Instruments
In 2016, a violin owned by Wallace Hartley, the band leader aboard the Titanic, was discovered in an attic, more than 100 years after the shipwreck. Hartley played this violin during the final moments of the disaster, calming passengers with the hymn “Nearer My God to Thee.” Despite being submerged in the sea, the instrument remains well-preserved. Hartley’s fiancé had gifted him the violin, engraved with a heartfelt message. Today, the violin is worth millions of dollars.
9. Men’s Shoes
Photographs of shoes found at the Titanic wreck site have surfaced, showing personal effects lying in the mud. These shoes, believed to have belonged to passengers, were documented during a memorial service and subsequent expeditions. Although James Cameron reported seeing several pairs of shoes, no human remains were identified. The delicate nature of the site has led to legislative protection to preserve these artifacts.
8. A Love Letter
A rare letter written by second-class passenger Kate Buss offers a poignant glimpse into the Titanic’s final hours. Written just days before the sinking, the letter addressed to Percy James describes the ship and her experiences. Buss survived the disaster and was later rescued in a lifeboat. The letter, preserved with her family’s artifacts, is a moving testament to the Titanic’s human stories.
7. Vials of Perfume
In a 2000 salvage mission, a leather pouch containing vials of perfume was found. The perfume, belonging to first-class passenger Edel Saulfeld, was identified after the pouch was opened in a lab. Despite being submerged for over 80 years, the perfume’s scent was preserved. Saulfeld’s perfumes were recreated, and the artifacts were counted and cataloged.
6. Inspection Card
A Finnish immigrant’s Titanic boarding pass sold for $100,000 at auction. This rare document belonged to Anna Sofia Shoblom, who survived the disaster. The card, pinned to her jacket, remained dry throughout the sinking, and it became one of the most valuable Titanic memorabilia items ever sold.
5. Telegraph Machine
A wireless telegraph machine, crucial for sending distress signals during the Titanic’s sinking, was discovered on the ocean floor. Though covered in rust, this artifact is considered essential to recover. The RMS Titanic Inc. is seeking court permission to retrieve the machine, valued at approximately $7 million, before it deteriorates beyond recovery.
4. Alligator Purse
British milliner Marion Meanwhile boarded the Titanic with a luxury alligator purse containing personal documents. Despite the ship’s sinking, the purse protected its contents, including a marriage license and a receipt. The purse’s durability ensured that these documents survived the marine environment, though Meanwhile did not.
3. Jack and Rose’s Love Story
The story of Jack and Rose, popularized by the film Titanic, remains one of the most captivating aspects of the ship’s lore. While their story is legendary, there is no concrete evidence that Jack existed. Despite various theories and remains found, no records confirm his identity, leaving the tale of these fictional lovers shrouded in mystery.
2. Pocket Watch
Sinai Kantor’s pocket watch, lost during the Titanic disaster and later recovered, features elaborate decorations and Hebrew letters. Although the watch’s condition is deteriorated from saltwater exposure, its intricate design is still visible. Sold for $57,000, the watch is a poignant reminder of the lives lost in the tragedy.
1. Cherub Statue
One of the most significant finds from the Titanic wreck is a cherub statue, discovered in 1985 by Paul-Henri Nargeolet. This piece, the only one recovered from the ship, was part of the grand staircase’s décor. It is believed that the Titanic’s first-class staircase was similar to its sister ship, the Olympic. This artifact offers a rare glimpse into the opulent design of the ill-fated ship.
Stay tuned for more exciting discoveries and updates on Titanic artifacts!
