This digital model (left) provides a clear look at what remains of the Titanic (right).

Popperfoto via Getty Images (Titanic); Magellan Ltd. (scan)

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A New View

New scans provide the most detailed look ever at the Titanic wreck. What secrets do those images reveal? 

September 8, 2025
By Cailin Loesch

As You Read, Think About: Why are people so fascinated by the Titanic?

Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

First Officer William Murdoch

It was dark and cold in the early hours of April 15, 1912. The Titanic was sinking fast. First Officer William Murdoch rushed to help passengers into lifeboats. Out of nowhere, a giant wave swept him into the Atlantic Ocean. Of the 2,208 people on the Titanic, about 1,500 died, including Murdoch.

For more than a century, people have been fascinated by the doomed ship. They include researcher Ross Mumford. He works for RMS Titanic Inc. (RMST), the official caretaker of the wreckage. The group has made nine expeditions to the Titanic. It cares for all the items brought up from the ocean floor, including clothing and jewelry. These objects have helped experts piece together the events of the tragedy.

“It’s not just a shipwreck,” says Mumford. “It’s a real-life puzzle that people of all ages are still trying to solve.”

Thanks to a new 3-D digital model of the Titanic, there’s more to learn. This precise model is uncovering hidden secrets about the ship.

Early on April 15, 1912, it was dark and cold. The Titanic was sinking fast. First Officer William Murdoch rushed to help passengers into lifeboats. Suddenly, a giant wave pulled him into the Atlantic Ocean. Out of the 2,208 people on the Titanic, about 1,500 died. That included Murdoch.

For more than a hundred years, people have been drawn to the doomed ship. They include researcher Ross Mumford. Mumford works for RMS Titanic Inc. (RMST). That’s the official caretaker of the wreck. The group has made nine expeditions to the Titanic. It cares for all the items brought up from the ocean floor. They include things like clothing and jewelry. These objects have helped experts understand the events of the tragedy.

“It’s not just a shipwreck,” says Mumford. “It’s a real-life puzzle that people of all ages are still trying to solve.”

Today there’s more to learn. That’s thanks to a new 3-D digital model of the Titanic. This model is revealing hidden secrets about the ship.

Searching for the Titanic
Watch a video about the search for this famous shipwreck.

Deep Dive

In 1912, the Titanic made headlines as the largest and fanciest ship of its time. When it set sail from England on April 10, many people believed it was unsinkable. But four days later, the Titanic hit an iceberg. Within hours, it sank to the bottom of the sea. 

Over the years, ocean currents and sea creatures have eaten away at the Titanic. Last year, RMST researchers found that a 15-foot section of railing near the front of the ship had collapsed. Some experts say what’s left of the Titanic could disappear within the next few decades.

A company called Magellan wanted to capture the wreck before it deteriorates further. In 2022, Magellan sent two remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) 12,500 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. The ROVs took about 715,000 photos and videos. 

In 1912, the Titanic made headlines. It was the largest and fanciest ship of its time. On April 10, it set sail from England. Many people believed it could not sink. But four days later, the Titanic hit an iceberg. Within hours, it sank to the bottom of the sea. 

Over the years, ocean currents and sea creatures have eaten away at the ship. Last year, RMST researchers noticed something. A 15-foot section near the front of the ship had collapsed. Some experts say what’s left of the Titanic could disappear. That could happen within the next few decades.

A company called Magellan wanted to capture the wreck before it deteriorates more. In 2022, Magellan sent two remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) into the Atlantic Ocean. The ROVs traveled down 12,500 feet. They took about 715,000 photos and videos. 

New Angles

The Magellan team spent a year using the scans to create a 3-D model of the Titanic. After two years of analyzing it, historians have new details about the ship’s final hours.

One of the biggest is what caused the Titanic to sink. The ship was built to stay afloat even if four of its compartments flooded. But the model shows that six compartments flooded. That was largely due to two small holes, each about the size of a sheet of looseleaf paper.

The model has also led people to change their opinion of Murdoch. Many had accused him of abandoning his post. The model proves that is not true. It shows the remains of a davit—a crane that moves lifeboats—near where Murdoch was last seen. Its position suggests that he was preparing to launch a lifeboat before he was swept away. He died a hero.

The Magellan team used the scans to create a 3-D model of the Titanic. Historians studied it for about two years. Now they have new details about the ship’s final hours.

One of the biggest findings? It’s about what caused the Titanic to sink. The ship was built to float even if four compartments flooded. But the model shows that six compartments flooded. That was largely due to two small holes. Each hole was about the size of a sheet of looseleaf paper.

The model has also led people to change their opinion of Murdoch. Many had accused him of leaving his post. The model proves that is not true. It shows the remains of a davit near where Murdoch was last seen. A davit is a crane that moves lifeboats. Its position suggests that Murdoch was preparing to launch a lifeboat before he was swept away. He died a hero.

Living On

Researchers say the model is so detailed they can learn from it for years to come. Thanks to this digital Titanic twin, the shipwreck will live on forever.

“The Titanic is about more than just history,” Mumford explains. “It’s the story of 2,208 lives. And even after more than 100 years, there’s still so much to learn.”

Researchers say they can learn from the model for years to come. That’s because it’s very detailed. Thanks to this digital Titanic twin, the shipwreck will live on forever.

“The Titanic is about more than just history,” Mumford says. “It’s the story of 2,208 lives. And even after more than 100 years, there’s still so much to learn.”

What Do You Think?

ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

These shoes were found in the Titanic wreck.

More than 5,500 items have been removed from the Titanic. Some say it’s wrong to remove these items, since they’re part of a gravesite. But others argue that the objects help us learn about and remember those who died. 

More than 5,500 items have been removed from the Titanic. Some say it’s wrong to remove these items, since they’re part of a gravesite. But others argue that the objects help us learn about and remember those who died. 

1. What do you think researcher Ross Mumford means when he calls the Titanic a “real-life puzzle that people of all ages are still trying to solve”?

2. Why do experts say that the Titanic wreckage could disappear in the next few decades?

3. Summarize the main ideas of the section “New Angles.”

1. What do you think researcher Ross Mumford means when he calls the Titanic a “real-life puzzle that people of all ages are still trying to solve”?

2. Why do experts say that the Titanic wreckage could disappear in the next few decades?

3. Summarize the main ideas of the section “New Angles.”

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