New Revelations

A digital reconstruction created from a comprehensive scan of the Titanic wreck has revealed previously unexplored details.

Digital Twin

By compiling 715,000 images and millions of data points, underwater mapping company Magellan has created a digital twin of the Titanic, offering new insights into why and how the ship sank so quickly.

Analysed from Every Angle

In 2022, the deep-sea mapping company Magellan deployed two underwater robots to scan the Titanic wreck from every angle, according to Mac4ever. Using thousands of high-resolution photos and advanced digital modeling, they created a comprehensive 3D reconstruction of the ship. The wreck appears frozen in time, covered in rust and mud, revealing its true state after more than a century underwater.

Not "Separated" but "Torn"

In 1912, at a depth of 3,800 meters in the North Atlantic, the Titanic wreck lies shattered. Until now, only scattered details helped explain how the ship broke apart before settling on the ocean floor. Recent scans reveal that the Titanic did not simply split into two pieces but was violently torn apart. According to Mac4ever, the bow, which remains relatively well-preserved, plunged vertically into the depths, while the stern disintegrated under immense pressure upon hitting the seabed.

Digital simulations suggest that the iceberg punctured the hull in multiple places, but contrary to earlier beliefs, it did not rip open a large section of the ship. Instead, the holes were roughly the size of an A4 sheet of paper. Because these punctures extended over a long stretch, they caused flooding in six watertight compartments—two more than the four compartments the ship was designed to withstand according to safety scenarios.

The Engineers, Unsung Heroes

The scan analysis also uncovered a previously overlooked detail: a steam valve on the stern was left open. This finding confirms that the engineers stayed at their posts after the collision, focusing on maintaining power for as long as possible. Their efforts kept the electricity running, enabling lifeboats to be launched in the dark and SOS signals to be sent out. Led by Joseph Bell, this team likely helped minimize the disaster’s impact. Tragically, none of the engineers survived.

All of these insights are featured in the National Geographic documentary.

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: Mac4ever)