Piece of Titanic’s Hull Makes Port on First Stop of Tour

After more than 86 years, the Titanic completed its transatlantic voyage to the United States on Friday, at least symbolically.

The largest section ever retrieved from the famous shipwreck arrived in Boston after it was hauled from the ocean floor nearly two weeks ago.

Scientists think the hull fragment, about 26 feet by 20 feet, is the only sizable section of the Titanic the public will ever see.

“We believe this piece speaks Titanic,” said Allan Carlin, whose company, RMS Titanic Inc., has been salvaging items from the wreck.

The twisted, rusted hunk of iron was unveiled with a Coast Guard color guard standing at attention. The Coast Guard laid a wreath for the wreck’s 1,500 victims before a crowd of office workers and tourists here.

The fragment is a 20-ton sheet of metal, chains, rivets and six portholes, four complete, including window glass and shiny brass fittings.

Rusticles, or iron-eating microbes, cover the hull fragment. Scientists estimate rusticles consume 200 pounds of the Titanic every day as it lies in the north Atlantic.

Conservationists believe the fragment is from two empty first-class suites on the starboard (right) side, next to the staterooms of New York theatrical producer Henry B. Harris and his wife, and W.T. Stead, a British journalist.

The section of ship will be placed on display as part of the company’s traveling Titanic exhibit. It is hoped that the section will help scientists learn more about how the ship broke apart.