07/14/2023
It’s in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada❤️
The fifteen ton section of Titanic’s starboard side now known as the “Big Piece” dangles near the surface of the sea on the second, ultimately successful attempt to raise it during the late summer of 1998. A failure in calculation of the lifting ability of hired recovery vessel Jim Kilabuk (among other factors) led to the loss of this artifact several miles from the wreck site two years earlier, where it remained on the seabed until its eventual recovery.
Examination of this large hull piece on retrieval revealed a number of fine details, including the remains of wood paneling, wiring and horsehair plaster on the interior side, patches of original paint still adhering, and even a First Class pattern dish in place within the D Deck galley section which was originally attached to the lower end of the artifact. Following conservation and a tour of North America during 1999 and 2000, today the piece remains on permanent display at the Titanic museum at Luxor, Las Vegas.
Photo credit Premiere Exhibitions/RMSTI
