In a remarkable discovery, a bronze statue from the wreckage of the Titanic has been found during the first expedition to the site in many years. The statue, known as "Diana of Versaille," had not been seen since 1986, leading to fears that it had been lost forever. However, RMS Titanic Inc, the company with salvage rights to the wreck, has released images from their recent trip, showcasing the changing landscape of the historic vessel in the remote corner of the North Atlantic Ocean where it sank.

The expedition, which took place this summer, holds significant importance as it occurred amidst the investigation into the tragic implosion of the Titan, an experimental submersible owned by another company. The incident, which claimed the lives of all five people on board, including Paul-Henri Nargeolet, the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, has only underscored the significance and risks associated with preserving the Titanic's legacy.

During the 20-day expedition, the crew managed to capture over 2 million high-resolution images of the site, the highest ever recorded. These images not only provided a clear and updated image of the Diana of Versaille statue but also revealed a bittersweet mix of preservation and loss. While the statue's rediscovery brought excitement, the expedition team also mourned the significant decay and collapse of a section of the ship's bow's forecastle deck railing, a feature that had stood until 2022.

Tomasina Ray, the director of collections for RMS Titanic, expressed both enthusiasm and sadness over these discoveries, stating, "The discovery of the Diana statue was an exciting moment. But we are saddened by the loss of the iconic Bow railing and other evidence of decay, which has only strengthened our commitment to preserving Titanic's legacy."

In addition to documenting the changes in the wreckage, the expedition team fully mapped the wreck and its debris field using advanced equipment. This data will significantly enhance our understanding of the site and hopefully aid in the identification of historically significant and at-risk artifacts for safe recovery in future expeditions.

RMS Titanic Inc emphasized the importance of their mission, especially in the wake of Paul-Henri Nargeolet's untimely death. The findings from this summer's trip will be processed and shared with the scientific community, contributing to ongoing research and preservation efforts.

Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard's investigation into the Titan implosion is set to be the subject of a public hearing later this month. Subsequently, Nargeolet's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the operator of the Titan submersible, OceanGate. The lawsuit, which was filed in a Washington state court, has yet to receive a public response from OceanGate.

The recent expedition serves as a reminder of the ever-changing conditions and challenges faced by those seeking to preserve the legacy of the ill-fated Titanic.