historical-preservation-vs-excavation

The chapter follows Hollis, a Jesuit priest and Alvin submersible pilot, as she explores the deep-sea wreckage of the Titanic nearly four kilometers beneath the Atlantic. The narrative intertwines the spiritual solitude of deep-sea exploration with the history and controversy surrounding the Titanic's salvage, including the militant actions taken to preserve its sanctity and the eventual disappearance of the wreck in a natural underwater avalanche. Hollis and her passenger, Jonathan Wayville, investigate remnants of the ship and uncover mysterious artifacts, highlighting humanity's complex relationship with history, technology, and spirituality.