Rarely seen Titanic artefacts kept in secret warehouse

The Titanic is one of the most famous ships in history, known for its tragic sinking in the North Atlantic Ocean. Recently, a collection of rare artefacts from the Titanic has been discovered and is being kept in a secret warehouse located in Atlanta, Georgia. The exact location of this warehouse is a closely guarded secret due to the immense value of the items stored inside. The warehouse is filled with thousands of items that were once part of the Titanic, including a bathtub that has been turned upside down, a dented porthole, and beautifully etched glassware. The BBC News team was granted a rare opportunity to explore this storage facility and learn about the fascinating stories behind some of these artefacts. One of the most intriguing items is a handbag made from alligator skin, which belonged to a woman named Marian Meanwell. Marian was a 63-year-old milliner who was traveling to the United States to visit her daughter, who had recently lost her husband. Inside her handbag, there were several personal items, including a faded photograph believed to be of her mother and important documents for her new life in America. Tragically, Marian was originally booked on another ship, the Majestic, but when it did not sail, she was transferred to the Titanic. This decision ultimately led to her becoming one of the 1,500 people who lost their lives in the disaster. The director of collections for RMS Titanic Inc, Tomasina Ray, emphasizes the importance of sharing Marian's story, stating, 'Otherwise she’s just another name on the list. ' Another remarkable find in the warehouse is a collection of tiny vials of perfume that belonged to a second-class passenger named Adolphe Saalfeld, who was a perfume salesman. Even after decades submerged in the ocean, the perfume still retains its strong scent. Adolphe was one of the 700 survivors of the Titanic, but he carried with him a sense of survivor's guilt, as many women and children were prioritized during the evacuation. The warehouse also contains a bottle of champagne that was recovered from the wreck. The bottle still has champagne inside, and the cork remains intact. This champagne is a reminder of the luxurious lifestyle that first-class passengers enjoyed on the Titanic. The ship was designed to be a floating palace, complete with fine dining and extravagant amenities. The Titanic was on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York when it struck an iceberg and sank. At the time, it was believed to be unsinkable due to its advanced safety features. However, the ship's rivets, which held its steel plates together, have been a subject of investigation. Some experts believe that substandard materials may have contributed to the ship's rapid sinking. The company RMS Titanic Inc has the legal right to recover items from the wreck site, but they must adhere to strict guidelines. They cannot sell the artefacts separately, and they must ensure that the items are preserved together. Recently, the company has expressed interest in retrieving the Marconi radio equipment, which was used to send distress signals on the night of the sinking. This has sparked controversy, as some believe the wreck should be treated as a grave site and left undisturbed. Tomasina Ray has stated, 'We want to make sure that we're preserving the memory, because not everyone can go down to Titanic, and we want to be able to bring that to the public. ' As the company continues its expeditions, they are taking millions of images of the wreck to create a detailed 3D scan. They are also identifying objects in the debris field that they hope to retrieve in future dives. Each item recovered from the Titanic holds a story, and the ongoing research aims to uncover more about the lives of the passengers and the events that led to the ship's tragic fate.