The iconic image of the Titanic’s wreck has become less recognizable due to the toll of time.
A new mission to the wreck has detailed how slow decay has claimed a large section of railing – which was immortalised in the iconic scene between Rose and Jack in the film – and is now lying detached on the ocean floor.
The snapshots taken reveal ongoing changes to the wreckage situated over a century beneath the waves since its tragic sinking in April 1912, which saw 1,500 people lost after an iceberg collision.
A team of experts believe that the collapse of approximately 4.5m of railing occurred within the past two years.
Last year’s venture into the deep involving Magellan, a deep-sea mapping firm, alongside Atlantic Productions, captured intact images and scans but with noted strain on the then-buckling railing.
“At some point the metal gave way and it fell away,” remarks Tomasina Ray, raising awareness about the degradation.
However, it isn’t just this section at risk; the entire iron edifice, entrenched 3,800m down, is succumbing to microbial corrosion, spawning ‘rusticle’ formations, which are not uncommon.
This summer’s expedition by RMS Titanic Inc took place over July and August.
Two remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) captured more than two million images and 24 hours of high definition footage of both the wreck.
The company is now meticulously reviewing the footage to catalogue the finds and will eventually create a highly detailed digital 3D scan of the entire wreck site.
More images from the dives will be revealed in the coming months.
Over the years, RMS Titanic Inc has retrieved thousands of items from the debris field, a selection of which are put on display around the world.
They plan to return next year to recover more – and the Diana statue is one of the items they would like to bring back to the surface. However, some believe the wreck is a grave site that should be left untouched.