France Seeks Heirs to Titanic’s Treasure

PARIS — When the mighty Titanic slammed into an iceberg on its maiden voyage and sank in the North Atlantic in 1912, drowning about 1,500 passengers and crew members, its remains inspired countless legends of a priceless treasure.

Now 80 years later, France is trying to find the rightful owners of some 15,000 objects including jewels and gowns dredged up from a murky depth of 13,000 feet.

Secretary of Maritime Affairs Charles Josselin Tuesday appealed to the victims’ heirs to come forward within three months and claim their ancestors’ belongings.

France is legally responsible for disposing of the property because a French salvage firm, IFREMER, discovered the wreck on the seabed and recovered the contents.