The bringing up of artefacts from TITANIC represents, if nothing else, the technological advances we have made to allow this. However, in my opinion, the articles which were on display years ago at The Greenwich Maritime Museum struck me as pretty mundane. Crockery and the like. Also the crow's nest bell which was the knell of doom for TITANIC was not anything out of the ordinary - it didn't even have her name on it.

The thing which fascinates though is what we ourselves provide - that is the SENTIMENTALITY that must be attached to these artefacts in order to put them into their context. Without this they mean very little. The question which I would like to leave with you is whether or not sentimentality would be in evidence even without these artefacts? We all know the poignant story of TITANIC (even better than before now) do we need anything else with which to attach our sentiments? Surely the *memory* of TITANIC is enough?

Just my opinion, feel free to agree/disagree for, as always, I defer to your better judgment.

-- Simon (ia501060@ntu.ac.uk), March 05, 1998

Answers

I believe Dr. Ballard and Cameron's team have already answered this question. No artifacts were taken away from Titanic's gravesite during their expeditions. And Cameron even found safe boxes scattered around the wreck. Although many other expeditions brought up about 3,600 different objects from the wreck. During these operations, considerable damage was produced to the wreck. Imagine the robbers of the Egyptian pyramids in search for gold and other treasures and you have the full picture of the situation. I believe nothing should be touched. As someone posted here before, it would be like robbing the graves in Arlington Cemetery... The biggest treasure about Titanic and its tragedy is not at the bottom of the ocean, but in our hearts and minds.

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@ccs.carleton.ca), March 05, 1998.

i think you should let it rest in peace butbring up some important artifacts to bring justice and remeber the people who died.

-- Ashlei Annmarei Buettner (suzyq777luvya@aol.com), September 17, 2003.