Hypothetical deterioration of Titanic wreck

[Bob_Read]

This is a hypothetical question about the deterioration of the Titanic wreck. We see great deterioration of the Titanic wreck where it now lies. What would be the difference in the state of deterioration of the wreck if all the individual pieces of the wreck were magically transported to a green pasture in England in 1912 and was never touched again? Would the deterioration be greater because of being exposed to the surface elements where there is greater opportunity for oxidation of the steel (rust) and thus possibly more collapse?

 

[Tim Aldrich]

This is a hypothetical question about the deterioration of the Titanic wreck. We see great deterioration of the Titanic wreck where it now lies. What would be the difference in the state of deterioration of the wreck if all the individual pieces of the wreck were magically transported to a green pasture in England in 1912 and was never touched again? Would the deterioration be greater because of being exposed to the surface elements where there is greater opportunity for oxidation of the steel (rust) and thus possibly more collapse?

You pose an interesting question Mr. Read. Does your hypothetical situation suppose the wreck has been in a field from the start or has the wreck been transported to a field after having been on the ocean floor for all of these years?

 

[Steven Christian]

This is a hypothetical question about the deterioration of the Titanic wreck. We see great deterioration of the Titanic wreck where it now lies. What would be the difference in the state of deterioration of the wreck if all the individual pieces of the wreck were magically transported to a green pasture in England in 1912 and was never touched again? Would the deterioration be greater because of being exposed to the surface elements where there is greater opportunity for oxidation of the steel (rust) and thus possibly more collapse?

A green pasture especially away from the salt air of the coast? I doubt it would be anywhere near the damage as she has undergone on the sea bed. But if she was never touched again you probably couldnt see her...would probably look like a hedge row with all the flora and fauna covering her. When my power plant closed down I was there for another 6 years on the maintenace team in case they ever re-started her. It was amazing how fast nature took over. I took pictures the entire time. Plants growing everywhere and the wildlife moved back in and made it a home.

 

[Bob_Read]

Ok let me clarify and modify the scenario. Forget the green pasture. I don’t want plant growth to be a factor. Let’s say that when the wreck hit the ocean floor in 1912, every piece of the wreck was magically transported to the Thompson dry dock where it remained untouched by human intervention until today. The effects I am trying to hypothetically isolate are surface climate effects in a temperate climate like say Belfast. No arctic or desert climate. How would the effects of sun, wind, rain, heat, cold, etc. over 100+ years compare to the deteriorating effects of the ocean floor where she now lies? Would the surface conditions be more detrimental to the wreck?