Recent photos from a summer expedition to the Titanic wreck have revealed significant decay of the legendary passenger liner, including the collapse of a 15-foot-long section of railing from the ship’s upper deck. The expedition, conducted by RMS Titanic Inc., the American company with salvage rights to the site, documented this new damage along with a myriad of other findings, including a notable discovery: a bronze statue of Diana, the Roman goddess of nature and hunting.

The latest expedition marks the company’s ninth journey to the site since its first in 1987. Over two million photos were captured by a team of ocean imaging experts, oceanographers, scientists, and historians who aimed to assess the wreck’s condition, document areas at risk, and contribute to ongoing conservation efforts. The newly observed damage underscores the continuous and inevitable decay of the Titanic as it lies at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean, succumbing to salt corrosion, metal-eating bacteria, and deep current actions.

“We are saddened by this loss and the inevitable decay of the Ship and the debris,” RMS Titanic Inc. stated on its website. The company expressed a commitment to preserving and documenting what remains of the ship before it deteriorates completely.

Among the most exciting findings of the expedition was the rediscovery of the bronze statue of Diana, which once adorned the First Class lounge as a centerpiece atop the fireplace mantle. The statue had been photographed in a 1986 expedition but was lost to history until this latest mission. Despite the ship’s decay, Diana still stands upright amid the debris, symbolizing a connection to the past and the Titanic’s storied legacy.

As the Titanic continues to deteriorate, efforts to document and preserve its remnants remain urgent, serving as a poignant reminder of the fragile state of this iconic wreck.