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Two main controversies surround the wreck- the first is the ownership rights. Ironically, one would think either America, Britain, or Ireland would own it (Titanic was Irish built, British operated, American owned, and also Americans found the wreck). But, the ownership rights to the ship are split between the Russians and the French, because they were the first to take stuff from it. The law of the sea is that a wreck belongs to whoever takes the first artifacts from it (NOT who finds the wreck). When the American team, led by Robert Ballard, found the wreck, they didn't want to take anything because they wanted to preserve it as a memorial to the 1,500 who died.

The second controversy is the ethics over whether or not items should be taken from the Titanic. Some feel no one should touch the wreck, as it's a mass grave-site and artifact salvage has actually done more damage to the ship than the natural course of time. On the other hand, some people believe that artifacts should be salvaged to try to preserve the story and share with the world first hand accounts. It's a matter of opinion, and no one will ever come to terms over it.

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13y ago

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