The US government opposes a planned mission to recover historically important items from the Titanic.
The U.S. government is taking strong action to stop a planned expedition to collect things from the Titanic shipwreck next year. They're doing this because there are laws in the country and international agreements that say the Titanic wreck is a sacred place where people are buried.
The group planning the expedition is called RMS Titanic Inc. They're a company in Georgia that has the right to collect things from the Titanic wreck. They've collected all sorts of items from the ship, like silverware and even a part of the ship itself. The government is now going to court to make sure they have control over who can collect things from the Titanic. This could stop the planned expedition next year.
This all started because of an incident with a submarine called Titan on June 18. It made people wonder who should be in charge of the Titanic wreck, which is more than two miles underwater in the North Atlantic. This legal action means the government's executive and legislative branches are arguing with the judicial branch. The government wants to be part of the case and stop any expedition they don't like. They say they have the power to decide if RMS Titanic Inc. can collect more things from the wreck.
A retired lawyer who knows a lot about shipwrecks and used to work for the government, Ole Varmer, said to NYT, "The government has been getting ready for this for a long time. They're now asking the court to make sure these laws are followed."
The Titanic was a famous ship that sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg, and it's a sad part of history. More than 1,500 people died out of the 2,208 who were on the ship. It's important to remember and respect the Titanic wreck and any people who might still be there. The government is worried that collecting things from the wreck might harm it or disturb any people who might still be there. Preserving the site and treating it with respect is not only important for history but also a moral duty to honor the memory of those who died on that tragic night.