Several expeditions to the wreck of the RMS Titanic have proven fruitful, in terms of finding artifacts from the early 20th century. Among these discoveries, ocean explorers have noticed several pairs of shoes, eerily preserved. What’s missing are the remains of those to whom they belonged.
Why are so many shoes intact when their owners are missing? The answer is haunting.
Artifacts found within the RMS Titanic wreck
As we all know, the sinking of Titanic on April 15, 1912, remains one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history. The luxury ocean liner, touted as “unsinkable” prior to her maiden voyage, struck an iceberg while traveling from Southampton to New York City, sinking in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.
Of the 2,224 passengers and crew onboard, more than 1,500 lost their lives. Sitting untouched for over 70 years, it wasn’t until 1985 that oceanographer Robert Ballard located the wreck, at a depth of approximately 12,500 feet.
Since the discovery of Titanic‘s wreck, several expeditions have taken place that have recovered artifacts that offer a glimpse into life aboard the ill-fated vessel. Items, including pieces of fine china, silverware, clothing and personal items, have been retrieved.
One of the most famous is a perfectly preserved bronze cherub statue that once adorned the grand staircase. Additionally, the violin played by bandleader Wallace Hartley as the ocean liner sank was also recovered.
Where are the bodies of those who sank with the RMS Titanic?
While a variety of artifacts have been documented and retrieved from the wreck, several expeditions to Titanic all share the same distinct detail: there are several shoes found around the hull and inside the cabins. They’re not just random shoes littered willy-nilly – they’re almost always found in pairs.
Sadly, there’s a reason for this.
Since Titanic‘s sinking, those who were unable to escape the ship have been consumed by creatures that live in the depths of the ocean. As well, the water at that depth has contributed to the disappearance of their remains. All that’s been left behind is their shoes.
A study carried out tested the decomposition of living remains by dropping a pig carcass about the same size of an average human body down to the seabed. It was determined that the flesh and muscles of the animal disappeared in a matter of days, leaving just its bones behind. Some six months after that, the bones, too, had disappeared.
How have the shoes lasted so long underwater?
Considering the remains of those who died are no longer there, it begs the question: how have their shoes lasted this long beneath the waves?
There’s another explanation for this. Most of the shoes found with Titanic‘s wreck have maintained their near-perfect condition because they’re made from leather, which was coated in tannic acid, which protected the material from the elements. Deep sea creatures would have turned away from the shoes as a result, leaving them to sit untouched for over a century.
More from us: Titanic II Ship – The Modern Rebirth of a Legendary Ocean Liner
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Sadly, for many, shoes are the only things that remain of their legacy aboard Titanic.