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Physical Artifacts

RMS OLYMPIC
Swim Bath/Pantry Tile

ARTIFACT INFORMATION

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  • Date: c. 1911

  • Manufacturer: Villeroy & Boch (Mettlach, Germany)

  • Associated Vessel: RMS Olympic (1911)

  • Material: Glazed Ceramic Tile

  • Weight: 2lbs 5.5oz (1.06kg)

  • Measurements: 6.56 x 6.56 x 0.75in (16.66 x 16.66 x 1.91cm)

  • Collection ID: NA.ART.001

  • Condition: Tile remains structurally intact with minor edge wear and surface abrasions consistent with age, service use, and removal

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

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Original ceramic floor tile with equal length beveled edges from RMS Olympic (1911), the lead vessel of the Olympic-Class liners built for the White Star Line. The tile features a cream geometric mosaic pattern bordered in blue and retains the manufacturer's stamp "Villeroy & Boch Mettlach" on the reverse. The artifact is believed to originate from either the swimming bath complex or pantry/service areas and reflects the durable materials used throughout the vessel's interior spaces.

SS CEVIC
Ash Tray

ARTIFACT INFORMATION

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  • Date: c. 1908-1915

  • Manufacturer: Unknown

  • Associated Vessel: SS Cevic (1894)

  • Material: Brass with enamel badge

  • Weight: 2.8oz (79.4g)

  • Measurements: 4.375 x 0.625in (11.1 x 1.6cm)

  • Collection ID: NA.ART.002

  • Condition: Good condition with expected surface wear, scratching, and patina consistent with age and use. Enamel badge retains strong color and remains intact with only minor age-related wear.

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

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Solid brass ashtray bearing a colorful enamel badge displaying crossed flags of the United Kingdom and Australia above a ribbon inscribed "S.S. Cevic." Produced between 1908 and 1915, this piece appears to have been produced as a souvenir that could be purchased onboard, commemorating SS Cevic (1894) and her service on route between Britain and Australia. 

RMS OLYMPIC
Deck Bolt & Cap

ARTIFACT INFORMATION

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  • Date: c. 1911

  • Manufacturer: Harland & Wolff

  • Associated Vessel: RMS Olympic

  • Material: Iron bolt and wooden cap

  • Weight: 2.72oz (77g)

    • Deck Bolt: 2.54oz (72g)

    • Deck cap: 0.18oz (5g)

  • Measurements: 

    • Deck Bolt: 2.5 x 1.0in (6.4 x 2.5cm)​

    • Deck Cap: 1.19 x 0.44in (3.0 x 1.1cm)

  • Collection ID: NA.ART.003

  • Condition: The Iron bolt exhibits substantial surface corrosion and oxidation consistent with age and maritime service. Traces of the original bedding compound remain adhered to the underside of the bolt head. The wooden deck cap remains structurally stable with signs of surface wear and remnants of bedding compound used to secure the cap within the deck planking.

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

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Deck fastening assembly from RMS Olympic (1911), consisting of an iron deck bolt and its associated wooden deck cap. These components formed part of the vessel's deck construction, where iron bolts secured deck planking to the structural members beneath. Once installed, the bolt heads were concealed beneath circular wooden caps, creating a smooth walking surface while protecting the fastening from the marine environment. 

RMS TITANIC
Coal Fragment

ARTIFACT INFORMATION

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  • Date: c. 1912

  • Manufacturer: Lewis Merthyr Consolidated Collieries (attributed)

  • Associated Vessel: RMS Titanic (1912)

  • Material: Welsh Steam Coal

  • Weight: 20g (0.71oz)

  • Measurements: 1.56 x 1.5 x 1.0in (4.0 x 3.8 x 2.5cm)

  • Collection ID: NA.ART.004

  • Condition: Coal fragment remains stable with well-preserved fracture surfaces. Iron oxide staining and mineral deposits present on portions of the surface. 

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

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Coal recovered from the wreck site of RMS Titanic during the 1994 expedition conducted by RMS Titanic Inc. This specimen originates from the extensive debris field created when the vessel's breakup released over a thousand tons of coal from Bunkers A-F, located between Boiler Rooms 1 and 2. The fragment retains distinct natural coal layering and exhibits localized iron oxide staining, likely acquired through prolonged contact with, or close proximity to, corroding iron debris.

RMS BRITANNIC/ RMS OLYMPIC 
First Class Corridor Flooring Sections

ARTIFACT INFORMATION

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  • Date: c. 1914-1920

  • Manufacturer: Staines Lino Company (attributed)

  • Associated Vessel: RMS Britannic / RMS Olympic

  • Material: Linoleum 

  • Weight: 

    • Section A: 12.84oz (364g)

    • Section B: 12.91oz (366g)

  • Measurements:

    • Section A:12 x 5.625 x 0.25in (30.5 x 14.3 x 0.64cm)​

    • Section B: 12 x 6 x 0.25in (30.5 x 15.2 x 0.64cm)

  • Collection ID: NA.ART.005

  • Condition: Moderate to heavy surface wear, edge wear, discoloration, adhesive residue, and installation holes are present and consistent with historic shipboard use and later architectural reuse. Original coloration and geometric pattern remain clearly identifiable.

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

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Two separate sections of linoleum corridor flooring from RMS Olympic (1911). Originally manufactured for RMS Britannic (1914), these tiles were later installed aboard Olympic during her post war refit of 1919-1920 following the First World War. While retaining the geometric pattern characteristic of the Olympic-Class, the green-toned flooring reflected the updated decorative schemes introduced during Olympic's modernization. Following the scrapping of Olympic in 1935, salvaged fittings and interior materials were sold at auction and reused ashore. These flooring sections were subsequently incorporated into the Hadrian Paint Works in Haltwhistle, England. These sections represent a rare surviving artifact connected to both Olympic and Britannic.

RMS TITANIC
Bollard Iron Fragment

ARTIFACT INFORMATION

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  • Date: c.1912

  • Manufacturer: Harland & Wolff

  • Associated Vessel: RMS Titanic

  • Material: Iron

  • Weight: Not recorded

  • Measurements: 0.69 x 0.5in (1.75 x 1.27cm)​

  • Collection ID: NA.ART.006

  • Condition: Stable, heavily corroded with surface oxidation resulting from prolonged exposure to the deep-ocean environment.

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

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Recovered from the debris field of RMS Titanic's wreck during the 1996 RMS Titanic, Inc. expedition, the bollard originated from the vessel's stern section, serving as a mooring fitting during the liner's short service. This fragment was removed during the conservation and preservation process. The recovered bollard remains part of one of RMS Titanic, Inc.'s traveling exhibitions.

RMS TITANIC
"Big Piece" Iron Fragment

ARTIFACT INFORMATION

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  • Date: c.1912

  • Manufacturer: Harland & Wolff

  • Associated Vessel: RMS Titanic

  • Material: Iron

  • Weight: Not recorded​

  • Measurements: 0.38 x 0.5in (0.95 x 1.27cm)​

  • Collection ID: NA.ART.007

  • Condition: Stable, heavily corroded with surface oxidation resulting from prolonged exposure to the deep-ocean environment.

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

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Removed during the conservation of the "Big Piece", this fragment originates from a section of RMS Titanic's starboard hull recovered during the 1998 RMS Titanic, Inc. expedition. The hull section encompassed portions of C and D Deck within the ship's breakup zone, including First Class accommodations and the galley for the First- and Second-Class Dining Saloons. Following recovery, the "Big Piece" was separated for display and conservation. Today, the C-Deck section is exhibited in Las Vegas, Nevada, while the D-Deck section is displayed in Orlando, Florida.

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