RMS Titanic Inc v The Wrecked and Abandoned Vessel believed to be RMS "Titanic" and Ors - US Court of Appeals (4th Circuit)(Wilkins, Niemeyer and King Ct JJ) - 12 April 2002

Finder and salvor of wreck of Titanic - Whether permitted to sell artifacts recovered from wreck

In 1985 a joint American-French expedition discovered the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean in international waters. Two years later, Titanic Ventures, a limited partnership, explored the wreck, bringing up approximately 1,800 artifacts. Thereafter, it sold its interests in the salvage operations and the artifacts to the plaintiff. In 1983 the plaintiff commenced the present in rem action against the Titanic to become its salvor-in-possession. In its complaint, the plaintiff requested, among other things, that under the law of finds, it be declared "the true, sole and exclusive owner of any items salvaged from the wreck", or alternatively that, under salvage law, it be "awarded a liberal salvage award". By its order of 7 June 1994 the district court stated: