Preliminary Archaeology Report

"Titanic 2000 Expedition"

by Jim Sinclair

I. INTRODUCTION

During the months of July and August of 2000 RMS Titanic, Inc. sponsored an expedition to the wreck site of the RMS Titanic, 1912. The purpose of the expedition was many-fold, however, the two most important reasons for the effort were: 1. Maintain the “Salvor in Possession” status, and 2. Recover artifacts that would enhance the already existing collection.

RMS Titanic, Inc. had also come to the decision that the artifacts, once retrieved, were to return to the United States instead of to France, where the previous year’s collections had gone for the conservation procedures. To this end, RMS Titanic, Inc. contacted the firm of SEAREX Inc., a Florida corporation that specializes in cultural resource management of shipwreck sites.

The Vice-president of SEAREX Inc. is James J. Sinclair, (see attached vita) an archaeologist and conservator who for the last twenty years has been involved in many different shipwreck projects. RMS Titanic, Inc. and Mr. Sinclair felt that the expedition afforded an opportunity to investigate the wreck as an archaeological site. Thus it was decided that attempts would be made to collect as much archaeological data as possible.

It must be noted here that this is the preliminary report. A considerable amount of work and study of the collected data and artifacts must be undertaken before a final report can be issued. This work will continue through the conservation process.

2. HISTORY OF THE TITANIC

So much has already been written on this vessel, possibly more than any other ship so we will not belabor the point. The Titanic was commissioned in 1907 by Harland and Wolff for White Star lines which was a company owned by J. P. Morgan. At the time of its completion the Titanic was the largest movable object in the world. 883 feet long, 92 feet wide and weighed 46,328 tons. Titanic was 104 feet from the keel to the bridge. On her well-documented maiden voyage in April of 1912 she struck an iceberg, sinking with the loss of 1500+ lives. As a direct result of this tragedy many new maritime laws were enacted and safety aboard these great liners became much more standardized. The Titanic wreck site was discovered in 1985 by a combined French and US team. The rights of salvage to Titanic now belong to the corporation RMS Titanic, Inc.

3.OBJECTIVES OF THE TITANIC EXPEDITION 2000

As has already been stated, the objectives of the expedition to the Titanic were varied. However, there were certain objectives whose importance outweighed others. The maintenance of the “Salvor in Possession” status was paramount. The recovery of artifacts for the purpose of display was the next highest priority. RMS Titanic, Inc. has held all of the collection intact and uses this collection as the basis for worldwide exhibitions. The unique configuration of the “debris fields,” (or, more accurately, “artifact scatter”) with its thousands of artifacts, actually allowed the curator of the collection Michelle Turman, with input from the project archaeologist, to submit a “wish-list” of desirable objects that compliment the already existing collections.

4.OCEANEERING, THE OCEAN INTERVENTION AND THE MAGELLAN ROV

The original intent of RMS Titanic, Inc. was to enter the wreck and recover materials from the interior as well as materials from the artifact scatter. This was to be accomplished by the use of an ROV provided by Oceaneering Corporation.After many delays and failed attempts to launch the Magellan ROV from the S/V Ocean Intervention it was decided to terminate the contract with Oceaneering Corp. on the basis of their inability to perform. RMS Titanic, Inc. instead recovered all materials solely from the debris fields associated with the Titanic by using the twin submersibles aboard the Russian research vessel Akademic Keldysh.

5.THE AKADEMIC KELDYSH AND THE RECOVERY OF ARTIFACTS BY THE MIR’S

The Akademic Keldysh is one of the world’s largest research vessels. At 443 feet long it boasts a full compliment of Russian scientists headed by Dr. Anatoly Sagalevitch, Head of the laboratory of deep - manned submersibles at the P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia. There are 17 laboratories on board, two of which were used by the Expedition 2000 archaeology and conservation departments. (See Appendix 1.)

The two manned submersibles (MIR’S) were the work platforms on the wreck site. Fourteen dives with both subs were accomplished. During these dives over 400 artifacts were recovered. Some of these artifacts were multi-component (such as the pouch containing the vials of perfume) bringing the total to over 800 individual artifacts. (See Appendix 2.)The recoveries were made by the crew of the MIR’S with the goal of enhancing the extant collection. The artifacts were recovered using the manipulators of the submersible (these are like arms with “hands”) and special tools such as a modified suction apparatus for recovering delicate items. The recoveries were placed into padded recovery baskets on the underside of the MIRS. (See Appendix 1 for MIR specs.)

Once the recovery of the submersible was completed the conservation team removed the artifacts from the recovery baskets and transported them to one of the labs. The majority of the materials (notably the smaller items) went directly into the conservation lab and the documentation process began.

6.ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE TITANIC

The court has always required RMS Titanic, Inc. to recover artifacts in an historically and archaeologically responsible manner. RMS Titanic, Inc. felt that in the interest of historic preservation, efforts should be made toward a more comprehensive understanding of this wreck site. Current thought in the field of historic preservation is that any vessel over 100 years old falls into the category of “Historic.”In the strictest sense of the word the Titanic does not fall into this category, but it is arguably the most historic shipwreck in the world. Emotions tend to run high when it comes to this shipwreck so we must try to remove the emotion from the equation and view the Titanic like other shipwreck sites, i.e. with an eye towards the scientific and historical.

The building of anthropological theory is dependent upon the development of direct interrelationships between physical characteristics and archaeological interpretations of cultural material). Artifactual contexts on shipwreck sites can provide a wide range of data in support of theories concerning human behaviors and life aboard the vessel, and the testing of hypothesis can best be done by breaking the ship down into specific activity areas. (See Appendix 3 for breakdown of activity areas on a galleon, by Mathewson.) (Mathewson, 1975, 1977).Keeping all this in mind, it is important to recognize that a ship is actually an encapsulation of the culture that produced it. Whether one is examining the remains of Roman ships, Spanish galleons or a luxury liner from the early 20^th century, all ships share common characteristics. One of the fundamental ways in which they are related is that they very often represent the highest expressions of the technology of their time. They were in a very real sense the 747’s of their day. This is certainly true for the Titanic as it was the largest moving object of its day.

Societal structure is commonly represented on ships. On a Spanish Galleon for instance, one will find traces of the grandees that ruled the empire right down to the slaves on whose backs it was built. On the Titanic, captains of industry and the elite such as John Jacob Astor and Isidor Straus were in first class. There were also of course the captain, crew and staff of this great liner, on down to third class passengers who, as part of the great European diaspora, were on their way to the New World with the hope of a better life.

Searex, Inc. in conjunction with RMS Titanic, Inc. is currently developing an early twentieth century luxury liner mosaic model to help answer anthropological questions concerning human activity on the remains of the RMS Titanic.The breakdown of such a model could be done according to decks on the Titanic.

Artifact Recordation

When the artifacts reached the laboratory they were given an individual accession number. This number will represent that particular artifact in the permanent collection. A preliminary assessment was made as to the item’s condition.Measurements and digital photos were taken and the item was added into the master database of RMS Titanic, Inc. After the initial documentation the artifacts were packaged in protective foam and placed in wet bins for transport back to the United States and the conservation laboratory.

Archaeological Mapping of Titanic

Accurate in-situ mapping of artifacts within an archaeological site allows the archaeologist to reconstruct that site in the hopes of being able to interpret activities and cultural aspects by the location and frequency of these artifacts. The technology for accurately mapping this site and recovering artifacts in a systematic manner is a far cry from a fictive pith - helmeted archaeologist of long ago. Indeed it is more akin to going into outer space. One simply can’t imagine a more hostile environment. Two and one half miles of ocean cover the site with ambient pressure in the amount of 6,800 psi. It is utterly dark - no matter the size or intensity of light brought to the site - outside of that small circle of illumination is stygian black. To arrive on this site, make significant recoveries and provide accurate mapping is a feat of technology that twenty years ago was only dreamed of.

The MIR submersibles from the research vessel Academic Keldysh used a sonar grid produced by four transponders to fix the location of artifacts in the artifact scatter field. When the MIRS are transiting the site a continual sonar fix in relation to the transponders is kept. (see appendix 7.) Observations of large site features were noted and before an artifact was recovered x,y,z coordinates were recorded. (See Appendix 4 for data collection forms.)For this expedition this was the most accurate measuring system we employed. We have already discussed with John Chance and Associates, hydrographic surveyors, the possibilities of measurement systems and techniques that may be employed on future expeditions that will enhance the accuracy of our mapping.

Horizontal Stratigraphy in the Artifact Scatter Areas

One of the most misunderstood areas of the Titanic is the artifact scatter or debris field. The name “debris field” is in itself a misnomer. These are artifacts of all kinds, so more rightly these areas should be called “artifact scatter” areas - as noted previously. In other words, these areas have been previously characterized as chaotic jumbles of material without meaning. This is most certainly not the case. In the 1970’s R. Duncan Mathewson III while working with Treasure Salvors Inc. on the wreck of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha 1622, noticed and wrote about the non-random dispersal of artifacts across a large area as a result of storms (Mathewson, 1977 pp.). Basically the theory holds that over even a large area the break-up of a ship will leave identifiable signatures and non-random patterns which can be related back to areas on board the vessel. This theory, which has been proven many times, has become known as Horizontal Stratigraphy.

Following this theory, if while working in the artifact scatter we happen to discover a whole assortment of kitchen utensils, it is a safe bet that we are looking at the remains of one of the kitchens on board the Titanic. Later, back in the laboratory we may, by studying these utensils, be able to ascertain if their origin was the first class or second class kitchen.Since we know who worked in those kitchens we can then, figuratively speaking, put the object into an individual’s hand.

Using the detailed mapping data that we collected from the MIR dives, the Russians, in conjunction with RMS Titanic, Inc., created their own sets of maps (See Appendix 5.) These were helpful, but we also wanted to see if there was any evidence of Horizontal Stratigraphy.This required that we map out each artifact and its location. Tom Zaller of SFX, the corporation that exhibits the materials from the Titanic worldwide, pursuant to an agreement with RMS Titanic, Inc., took on this task. In his capacity as exhibit designer Tom has a good knowledge of Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) programs and agreed to attempt to put together a map (See Appendix 6.) on the basis of the recoveries. Although the scale is larger than we would like and more work needs to be done, it is apparent that the majority of recoveries took place in a relatively confined area of the debris field and that there is a definite, non-random pattern to the dispersal of the artifacts.

What does this mean? In the first instance it gives us a much clearer picture of the artifact scatter area to the south of the stern of the Titanic. Future expeditions can build on this data to compile an increasingly comprehensive picture of the artifact dispersal across the site. Since we are seeing a pattern of artifact types in the area, subsequent expeditions will be able to go to the area of interest (say first class tableware) and concentrate their efforts in that area.This, instead of random searches and hoping for “targets of opportunity,” making the expedition more cost effective.In a more general sense this information confirms that even over wide areas in deep water there is a non-random pattern to be observed and therefore analysis of the scatter is integral to the study of shipwreck sites even in deep water.

7.THE CONDITION OF THE TITANIC

The Titanic is in a state of rapid dissolution. Many other ancient ships, at least their metal components, are actually better preserved than this once great liner – but why? The theory that microbes are attacking the wreck is certainly valid. But there are other reasons that the Titanic is in as bad a shape as it is.

On many colonial period vessels (usually in fairly shallow water) there is a process which occurs to the metallic components.As the metals oxidize they also attract ions of calcium out of the seawater which over time forms cement-like encrustation. This encrustation has the effect of protecting - to a degree - the metal it covers (although there have been many instances when all that is left of the object is a hollow in the surrounding matrix.)After having surveyed the actual site, as well as handled the recovered materials, it can be said with certainty that no such process is in evidence.This would seem to confirm the theory that the Titanic resides within a calcium-starved environment.If calcium were present, then encrustation would be in evidence. If this is the case, as it seems to be, it would also support the theory that there will be no human trace elements found, as all human calcium is used up very quickly.

The calcium deficient theory was confirmed by Andreas B. Rechnitzer, Ph.D. In a communication dated 08/10/00 Rechnitzer outlined the reason for the calcium starved environmental condition, “At great depths, including 12,500 ft., seawater contains more carbon dioxide than at shallower depths. This increase causes acidity that increases the solubility of calcium bearing materials (e.g. of biological origin) in cold water under pressure. The result is that it dissolves the sea shells and other calcareous structures.” This explains both the lack of concretions and the lack of human trace elements, as well as helping to explain the advanced state of decay of the Titanic.

A further aspect of the deterioration of the Titanic has to do with the fact that there are many dissimilar metals present on the site. With all of these different metals together in the sodium chloride solution that makes up sea water, a chemical and electrical process begins which is a form of Galvanic exchange(an outboard motor on a boat is the most familiar example.)When metal (e.g. the hull of a steel ship) is placed in seawater, “zinc’s” are added to take the brunt of the electrolytic action of the sea.Zinc is a metal low on the electromotive scale so it will take the brunt of the electrolysis there by sparing the iron. On the Titanic as has been noted, aside from iron, there are many different metals present - bronze, brass, silver to name a few. These are higher than iron on the electromotive scale so the iron takes the brunt of the action of the sea.These two aspects of the deterioration combined with the microbe theory combine to form the basis of the rapid deterioration of the wreck of the Titanic.(See Appendix 6 for recent testimony by the author on this subject.)

8.CONTROVERSY IN THE NEWS

Some of the critics of the project state that RMS Titanic, Inc.’s effort to recover artifacts from the site is like “taking apart the Great Pyramid to get at what is inside” and that it is no better than “grave robbing.”However, there has been no penetration of the wreck as per the order of the Federal Court. All artifacts that have been recovered were retrieved from the artifact scatter area associated with the stern and/or dis-articulated from the bow area.What RMS Titanic, Inc. has done however, is to initiate a preliminary attempt to apply archaeological mapping and data gathering to the wreck site.This process will serve to not only better understand and “memorialize” the great liner for ages to come – but also will allow current and future generations to share in its history.

RMS Titanic, Inc. has taken the initiative in this respect. The company displays the collection across the globe and the public lines up in fascination to see these talismans of a bygone era and this 20^th century tragedy. The company has kept the collection intact, conserved what has been found and shared what has been found with a public enamored with the Titanic and its story. This is what historians, archaeologists and preservationists ultimately strive for with all excavated shipwrecks. The Titanic deserves no less.

Respectfully Submitted,

James J. Sinclair

Archaeologist/Conservator,

Searex, Inc.

For RMS Titanic, Inc.

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