Wreck of the Titanic facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wreck of the Titanic |
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The Titanic's bow, photographed in June 2004
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| Event | Sinking of the Titanic |
| Cause | Collision with an iceberg |
| Date | 15 April 1912 |
| Location | 370 nmi (690 km) south-southeast of Newfoundland, North Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 41°43′32″N 49°56′49″W / 41.72556°N 49.94694°W |
| Discovered | 1 September 1985 |
The wreck of RMS Titanic rests deep in the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 12,500 feet (3,800 m) down, off the coast of Newfoundland. The ship broke into two main parts. These pieces are about 600 metres (2,000 ft) apart. The front part, called the bow, still looks like a ship. Many rooms inside are still there. But the back part, the stern, is badly damaged. Around the wreck, there are hundreds of thousands of items. These spilled from the ship as it sank.
The Titanic sank in 1912. This happened when it hit an iceberg on its first trip. Many teams tried to find the wreck using sonar. But they did not succeed. In 1985, a team from France and America finally found it. This team was led by Jean-Louis Michel and Robert Ballard. They were actually looking for lost nuclear submarines. Since then, many people have visited the wreck. Both tourists and scientists have explored it. Sadly, in June 2023, a submersible called Titan went to visit the wreck. It imploded, and all five people on board died.
People have also tried to bring items up from the Titanic. Thousands of items have been saved. They are now shown in museums. Some people even suggested crazy ways to raise the whole ship. Ideas included filling it with ping-pong balls or Vaseline. But the wreck is too fragile to be moved. It is now protected by a UNESCO agreement.
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Finding the Titanic Wreck
Right after the Titanic sank in 1912, people wanted to bring it up. But no one knew exactly where it was. Also, no one knew how deep it was. The ocean pressure at that depth is very high. It is over 6,000 pounds per square inch (41 MPa). This made it impossible for divers to reach.
Over the years, many ideas came up to raise the Titanic. But none of them worked. They were too hard to do or cost too much money. Some ideas were quite wild! One plan in 1914 was to use huge magnets. These magnets would pull the ship up from the bottom. Another idea was to attach balloons to the hull. Once enough balloons were full, the ship would float up. But these ideas never left the drawing board.
Old Ideas to Raise the Ship
In the 1960s, a man named Douglas Woolley had a plan. He wanted to use a special submarine to find the Titanic. Then, he would inflate nylon balloons to lift the ship. He hoped to bring the wreck to Liverpool. There, it would become a floating museum. But his plan failed. It would take ten years to make enough gas to fill the balloons.
More ideas came in the 1970s. One was to pump 180,000 tons[convert: unknown unit] of melted wax or Vaseline into the ship. This would make it float. Another idea was to fill the ship with ping-pong balls. But the ocean pressure would crush the balls. Glass spheres could handle the pressure. But they would cost over $238 million.
Arthur Hickey had a different idea. He wanted to freeze the water around the Titanic. This would create a giant iceberg around the ship. Since ice floats, the ship would rise. But this would need half a million tons of liquid nitrogen. This was too much.
In a 1976 book, Raise the Titanic!, the hero fixes holes in the ship. Then he fills it with air. The book describes the ship leaping out of the waves. This was a cool scene in the movie. But it was not possible in real life. Back then, people thought the Titanic sank in one piece.
Searching for the Titanic
Robert Ballard always wanted to find the Titanic. In 1977, he tried to find it with a special ship. But the equipment broke. It fell to the seabed. This cost a lot of money.
In 1978, The Walt Disney Company and National Geographic thought about finding the ship. They planned to use a submarine. But they decided it was too expensive.
A rich man named Sir James Goldsmith also tried. He wanted to use the discovery to promote his magazine. But his plans also failed due to money problems.
Fred Koehler, an electronics repairman, sold his shop. He built a small submarine. He hoped to find diamonds in the Titanic's safe. But he could not get money for his trip.
Discovery of the Wreck
Other teams, like Jack Grimm's, tried to find the Titanic. They failed but made good maps of the area. It was clear the ship's distress signals were not exact. This made the search area huge.
Ballard did not give up. He created new technology called Argo / Jason. This system used a robot called Argo. It had cameras and sonar. It was towed behind a ship. Another robot, Jason, could explore the seabed up close. Pictures from Argo were sent back to the ship. This let people see the ocean floor right away.
The United States Navy helped pay for Argo / Jason. They used it to find lost submarines. Ballard learned something important from these searches. When ships sink, they leave a trail of debris. This debris field is much bigger than the ship itself. By following this trail, the main wreck could be found.
In 1985, Ballard teamed up with a French group called IFREMER. The French used special sonar to scan the seabed. They searched for five weeks but found nothing. They actually passed very close to the Titanic without knowing it!
Ballard then changed his plan. Instead of looking for the ship with sonar, he looked for the debris field with cameras. Cameras could tell the difference between man-made objects and rocks. The debris field was also a much bigger target. It stretched for over 1 nautical mile (1.9 km).
On September 1, 1985, at 12:48 AM, debris started to appear on the screens. One piece was a boiler, just like those from the Titanic. The next day, the main part of the wreck was found. Argo sent back the first pictures of the Titanic in 73 years. This discovery was big news around the world.
Exploring the Wreck Site
First Crewed Dives
After finding the wreck, Ballard went back in 1986. This time, a special submarine called DSV Alvin could take people down. A small robot, Jason Jr., could go inside the wreck. Jason Jr. explored the Grand Staircase. It found rooms that were still in good shape. Some chandeliers were even still hanging!
Later Expeditions
Many other expeditions followed. In 1987, a French team brought up over 1,800 objects. This caused some debate. In 1991, a Russian-Canadian-American team used two submersibles called MIR. They filmed a lot for a documentary called Titanica.
In 1993, more items were recovered. These included a large piece of the engine and a steam whistle. From 1993 to 1998, RMS Titanic Inc. made many dives. They brought up over 4,000 items.
In 1996, there was a big effort to raise a piece of the hull. This piece weighed 20 tons[convert: unknown unit]. It had four portholes. Two cruise ships even went to the site. People paid $5,000 to watch the recovery on TV in their cabins. But bad weather caused the ropes to break. The hull piece fell back down. This attempt was criticized by many. They said it was like "grave robbing." The piece was finally brought up successfully in 1998. It is now called the "Big Piece."
In 1995, director James Cameron made 12 dives to the Titanic. He used the footage for his famous 1997 movie, Titanic. He wanted to show the wreck and tell a story about the people on board.
Recent Visits
Visits to the Titanic continue today. In 2001, a couple even got married on the bow of the ship! This was a publicity stunt. James Cameron also returned in 2001 to film in 3D for Ghosts of the Abyss.
From 2003 to 2004, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explored the wreck. They checked its condition and studied the tiny life forms there. Robert Ballard returned in 2004, almost 20 years after his discovery.
In 2010, a detailed map of the entire debris field was made. Robots took over 130,000 high-resolution images. This helped scientists understand how the ship sank. They also found a new type of bacteria living on the wreck. It was named Halomonas titanicae.
By 2012, about 140 people had visited the wreck. In 2012, the Titanic wreck became protected by a UNESCO agreement. Robert Ballard suggested painting the wreck with special paint. This would help preserve it.
In 2019, a team visited the wreck for the first time in 14 years. They used special cameras to get 4K video. They also made 3D models of the wreck. This footage was used for a documentary.
In 2023, a company created the first full digital scan of the Titanic. This 3D view shows the whole ship as if there were no water. It might help us learn more about the sinking.
What the Wreck Looks Like
The Titanic wreck is far from where the ship said it was sinking. The two main parts of the ship look very different. For a long time, people thought the ship sank in one piece. But now we know it broke apart. This happened between the second and third funnels.
The Bow Section
The bow section is about 470 feet (140 m) long. It probably sank at a steep angle. As it fell, the funnels broke off. They dragged ropes and equipment with them. The front mast also fell.
The bow hit the seabed very fast, at about 20 knots (10 m/s). It dug 60 feet (18 m) deep into the mud. The impact bent the hull in two places. The decks at the back of the bow section collapsed. The front hatch cover also blew off.
The area around the bridge is very damaged. It looks "as if it had been squashed by a giant's fist." This might be because of a huge rush of water. When the bow stopped suddenly, the water slammed into it. The damage from the iceberg is hidden under the mud.
Inside the Ship
Even with all the damage, some parts of the inside are still good. The bow sank slowly. This helped protect the inside. The main staircase is now an open space. Robots can go through it. But it's hard to see because of the rust and mud.
Most passenger rooms have fallen apart. This is because they were made of soft wood. But some stronger items remain. These include brass bed frames and marble sinks. Wood with metal parts, like doorknobs, lasted longer. This is because the metal kept sea creatures away. Hardwoods like teak and mahogany also lasted better.
The only public rooms still mostly together are the First-Class Reception Room and Dining Saloon. These are on D-Deck. The Dining Saloon is partly collapsed. But the front part is still there. You can see windows and ceiling lamps. The Reception Room is very well preserved. Its mahogany walls are still there. The Turkish Baths on F-Deck are in great shape. They still have blue-green tiles and carved wood.
Crew areas have also been explored. These include the firemen's mess and dorms. In 2001, explorers tried to find a famous Renault car. But it was hidden under mud and rust.
The Stern Section
The stern, about 350 feet (110 m) long, was badly damaged. It did not fill with water completely as it sank. Air pockets inside exploded. This tore the hull apart. Survivors even heard these explosions.
The stern likely spun like a helicopter blade as it sank. It probably hit the bottom rudder-first. The decks collapsed on top of each other. They are now only about 12 to 15 feet (3.7 to 4.6 m) high. No single deck is more than 1 foot (30 cm) high.
Large parts of the hull broke off before hitting the bottom. The force of the water tore up the poop deck. The middle propeller is buried. The other two propellers are bent upwards.
A large V-shaped part of the ship broke into many pieces. This was a weak spot in the ship. These pieces are scattered around the stern. In 2010, a big piece of the deck house was found. This showed that the ship broke between funnels two and three. Five boilers also broke free and landed near the stern. Experts think this is where the ship broke apart.
Debris Fields
When the Titanic broke, many objects spread across the seabed. There are two debris fields. They are each about 2,000–2,600 feet (610–790 m) long. They cover about 2 square miles (5.2 km2). Most of the debris is near the stern.
These fields have thousands of items from the ship. You can find coal, suitcases, clothes, and wine bottles. Many bottles are still intact! There are also bathtubs, windows, and personal items. Large pieces of the ship itself are also there. The ship's four funnels are thought to be in one of these fields.
How the Wreck is Changing
Before the Titanic was found, people thought it would be perfectly preserved. They thought the cold, dark, high-pressure water would keep it safe. But this was not true. The ship has been falling apart since 1912.
Its decay is caused by many things. Strong currents move around the wreck. They keep mud from covering it. Salt also corrodes the hull.
But tiny living things cause the most damage. Scientists used to think the deep ocean was empty. But it is full of life! In 1991, explorers found 28 types of creatures around the Titanic. These included sea anemones, crabs, and rattail fish. Even bigger creatures have been seen.
Some life forms are unique to the Titanic. In 2001, a new type of sea cucumber was found. A new rust-eating bacteria, Halomonas titanicae, was also discovered. This bacteria makes the wreck decay quickly. Scientists think the Titanic could completely collapse by 2030 or 2037. One scientist said the wreck "has become an oasis, a thriving ecosystem."
The soft parts of the ship, like wood, disappeared first. Tiny molluscs ate the wooden decks and furniture. When they ran out of food, they died. But some dense wood, like teak, was not eaten. The first-class reception area is still intact. Furniture is visible in some cabins. One cabin even has a mattress on the bed! Some scientists think human remains might still be inside the ship.
The longest-lasting things on the Titanic are bacteria. They live on the metal hull. They create "rusticles." These look like reddish-brown icicles. They are very fragile. The bacteria eat the iron in the hull. They leave rust behind. They also make a slimy liquid that forms the rusticles.
Scientists found that rusticles are very complex. They have roots and channels. They are like tiny living structures. These bacteria are eating the Titanic's hull very fast. They eat about 400 pounds (180 kg) of iron every day.
Since 1985, the life around the Titanic has changed a lot. More sea creatures have appeared. The number of rusticles has also grown. This might be because of more nutrients falling from the surface.
Many scientists worry that visits to the wreck cause more damage. Submersibles landing on the ship can hurt it. The promenade deck has gotten worse. The mast has almost disappeared. The crow's nest is also gone.
In 1995, James Cameron's submersible hit the hull. This caused some damage. Captain Smith's room was also damaged when a wall collapsed. In 2019, a team reported that the captain's bathtub was lost. But a 2021 trip said it was still there, but hidden by debris.
Who Owns the Wreck?
When the Titanic was found in 1985, people argued about who owned it. Robert Ballard did not bring up any items. He thought it was like robbing a grave. He wanted the wreck to be left alone. But others wanted to claim it.
In 1986, the US passed a law to protect the Titanic. But the wreck is outside US waters. So, the law has not worked well. The US and UK have agreed to protect the wreck. But other countries have not.
Saving the Artefacts
There are two main ideas about the Titanic. Some people, called "conservationists," think items should be brought up and saved. Others, called "protectionists," think the whole site should be left alone. They see it as a mass grave. Both sides agree the ship itself should not be salvaged.
Bringing up items has led to some special moments. In 1991, a survivor got her father's pocket watch back. She had not seen it since 1912. It was loaned to her for life.
Another time, a trunk was found. It had musical instruments, cards, and letters. The letters were still readable! This is very rare for shipwrecks.
But some people think selling items from the Titanic is wrong. They call it "grave robbing." A TV show in 1987 was called a "circus." RMS Titanic Inc. even sold coal from the wreck. This caused a lot of anger.
UK and US Protection
In 2020, the UK and US governments agreed to protect the Titanic wreck. This agreement aims to give the wreck more protection.
Titanic Artefacts on Display
Items from the Titanic have been shown for many years. Some were saved before the wreck was found. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax has wooden pieces and a deckchair. Other museums have items given by survivors.
The Titanic Historical Society's museum has many items. These include a life jacket, a rivet from the hull, and a restaurant menu.
Exhibitions Around the World
RMS Titanic Inc. puts on big exhibitions of items from the wreck. The first major show was in 1994. It was very popular. Now, there is a permanent exhibition in Las Vegas.
This exhibit has the "Big Piece" of the hull. It also has luggage, whistles, and floor tiles. There is a full-size copy of the Grand Staircase. Visitors can even touch a mock iceberg.
The company also has a traveling exhibition. It has been seen by over 20 million people. Visitors get a "boarding pass" with a passenger's name. At the end, they find out if their passenger survived.
Who Owns the Artefacts?
Most of the items from the Titanic were owned by Premier Exhibitions. This company went bankrupt in 2016. In 2018, museums tried to buy the 5,500 items. They had help from James Cameron and National Geographic. Robert Ballard wanted the items to be shown in museums forever. But a judge approved the sale to a private group of investors.
See also
- The Big Piece, the largest piece of the Titanic's wreck to be recovered
- The Titanic disaster
- RMS Titanic Maritime Memorial Act
- Agreement Concerning the Shipwrecked Vessel RMS Titanic
