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Research and Recovery - A Place for Miracles
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by Rhonda Wozniak
Conservator, LP3 Conservation
All too often in the excitement of everything about Titanic,
it seems that conservation efforts go unnoticed. The dream of keeping
the legend of Titanic alive is now reality with the recovery
of over four thousand artifacts, and it is certain that many have
a special concern and an understanding of the importance for these
artifacts to be properly conserved.
Preservation of the Titanic's artifacts involves efforts
to stabilize the objects, during the expedition and afterwards in
the laboratory, to ensure their integrity. Both are especially demanding
considering the unique conditions from which the artifacts are raised,
the resulting fragility of the objects, and the consequent complications
with the materials.
To familiarize you with the various problems the conservators face
in their work, I will give examples of recovered artifacts so that
you can get an idea of what is involved even before the artifacts
arrive for treatment at the conservation laboratories.
The artifacts make their long journey from the ocean floor to the
laboratories located at Semur en Auxois, in the Burgundy region of
France. In this small village, very big things happen with the conservation
of Titanic's artifacts, but it is not so renowned since it
is tucked away in such a remote corner of the world. Titanic's
artifacts are here at LP3 Conservation under the auspices of Mr. Stéphane
Pennec. |
 LP3
Conservation was established by Stéphane Pennec, Philippe Langot,
Martine Plantec, and Thierry Palanque, thus the acronym of one "L"
and 3 "P's." It is the founders' and their colleagues' diverse
areas of specialization in marine archaeological objects, ethnographic
materials, metals, textiles, wood, and paper that give this group
the expertise necessary to successfully preserve the ephemeral treasures
of Titanic. With the staff of LP3, conservation scientists
at the Western Australian Maritime Museum conduct necessary research
and analysis.
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