RMS Titanic; A historic graveyard soon to be protected
At approximately11.40 pm on the 14th of April 1912 RMS Titanic, the grand and luxurious new liner sailing 375 miles off the coast of Canada hit a piece of ice. This collision with the floating iceberg caused the hull plates on the starboard side to buckle, and to open 5 of her supposedly ‘unsinkable’ watertight compartments to the sea.
Within two and a half hours, at 2.20am on the 15th April the engulfed ship had sunk. 1517 people lost their lives this day, including women, children, passengers and crew.
Some 100 years later the seabed is a graveyard to many who died. Much of the ship is intact and fixtures still recognizable. To historians, archaeologists and the general public the Titanic is a subject of huge interest, and for some it is seen as a chance to own a little piece of history by stealing or removing artefacts belonging to the site. Little could be done to protect the ship and its history. Until now.
From today, 16th of April 2012, the Titanic will be fully protected from underwater grave robbers. The 2001 UNESCO Convention on the protection of Underwater Heritage is to step in and fully protect this magnificent monument from unauthorised lifting and removing of articles and unethical exploration. Previously UNESCO was unable to protect the liner as the law only covered underwater monuments over 100 years old.
This summer, however, will see dives being organised for individuals willing to pay the $60,000 price tag to see the site up close. Deep Sea Expeditions are the only company to have permission to dive the site, make your mind up quickly as this is last time they will be doing it!
