Titanic Artifacts Unearthed: Crocodile Skin Bags, Perfume Bottles, and More

The RMS Titanic, known as the largest passenger ship of its time, embarked on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York on April 10, 1912. Tragically, just four days later, on April 14, 1912, the ship struck an iceberg and sank, resulting in the loss of 1,517 lives. For decades, the search for the Titanic wreckage was elusive until its discovery in 1985, resting 2,600 feet below the Atlantic Ocean. Since then, numerous expeditions have uncovered a variety of intriguing artifacts from the wreckage. Here, we highlight some of the most remarkable items recovered from the Titanic.

Crocodile Skin Handbag

One of the most fascinating finds from the Titanic wreckage is a handbag made from crocodile skin. This exquisite and fashionable accessory is notable for its craftsmanship. According to a BBC report, the handbag belonged to a 63-year-old woman named Marion Menevel, who was in the hat business and was traveling from London to America to visit her daughter. The details about the handbag were revealed through a letter of recommendation found inside it, which had been given to Menevel by her London landlord.

Perfume Bottles

Another remarkable discovery includes several perfume bottles, which have retained their fragrance even after decades underwater. These bottles were owned by Adolf Salzfeld, a perfume salesman who survived the Titanic disaster. Reports suggest that Salzfeld was one of the 700 fortunate individuals who escaped the sinking ship. He boarded the Titanic with a collection of 90 perfume bottles, and some of these were recovered from the wreckage, still containing their original scent.

Preserved Champagne Bottle

Among the artifacts found was a bottle of champagne that remained sealed and intact. The Titanic's maiden voyage included thousands of bottles of champagne, as the ship's owners intended to provide first-class passengers with luxurious experiences, including beautiful views, fine dining, and exquisite champagne. This particular bottle was discovered fully preserved, a testament to the ship's opulent provisions.