Save the Titanic!
How masses of bacteria are literally eating the famous shipwreck…
Titanic: Into the Heart of the Wreck
Sunday, 7.30pm C4
Almost 110 years ago, the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank 3,800m into the depths of the Atlantic. More than 1,500 people died and the maritime disaster remains one of the most famous in history.
But now experts have discovered that the wreck is being engulfed by bacteria that actually consume iron, meaning the legendary ship could soon disappear altogether.
‘There’s more life on Titanic now than there was when she was on the surface. It’s just not human life, it’s biological life,’ explains microbiologist Lori Johnston.
‘The wreck is a very good food source and the bacteria have been known to cause deterioration of up to 100kg of iron a day that they’re removing from the ship itself.’
This documentary looks back at the discovery of the wreck in 1985 and subsequent deep-sea dives. Comparing past images, it’s clear to see how the wreck has decomposed and corrosion has been rapid.
It also charts a critical 2019 mission that attempted to assess the rate of deterioration and predict how long it would take before the Titanic disappears for ever.
‘Although the metal roof of the deckhouse is still intact, you can tell in images that date back to 2004 and 2010 that it’s just dissolving away,’ says imaging specialist Bill Lange. ‘The degradation of the Titanic will probably never stop.’
Scientists expect the ship’s decks will eventually cave in and the wreck will collapse. So now the race is on to save what’s left before that happens.
‘We have to recover artefacts, even pieces of the ship, to preserve,’ says oceanographer Paul-henri Nargeolet. ‘If we don’t, everything will be lost.’