Never-Seen-Before Titanic Artifact Debuts 113 Years After Maiden Voyage At Luxor Hotel & Casino Las Vegas

A never-seen-before piece of the Titanic was unveiled for the first time ever on Wednesday afternoon at TITANIC: The Artifact ExhibitionLas Vegas inside the Luxor Hotel and Casino.

The artifact, a piece of essential machinery from the Titanic’s engine room, offers guests a rare, intimate peek at the inner workings of the iconic ship. 

Debuting around the 113th anniversary of the “Ship of Dreams” maiden voyage and tragic sinking, the artifact, recovered by RMS Titanic, Inc., sheds new light on the stories of those who were on board the ship. 

For anyone interested in learning more about the Titanic in a fun and interactive way, this exhibition is a must when visiting Las Vegas. There are more than 350 artifacts recovered from the ship on display, as well as full-scale room recreations that transport you back to the iconic ship. 

Upon arrival, guests receive a replica boarding pass to assume the role of a passenger. They then follow a chronological journey through life on the Titanic. This 25,000-square-foot exhibition features hundreds of items recovered from the Titanic, including luggage, floor tiles, a window frame, an unopened bottle of champagne and more. 

It was a nostalgic moment at Luxor Hotel and Casino Las Vegas when a never-before-seen artifact from the Titanic was unveiled for the first time at TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition on Wednesday afternoon. 

Tomasina Ray, President and Director of Collections of RMS Titanic, Inc. and Director of the Artifact Collection, was on hand to personally unveil the never-seen-before Titanic artifact, and to give some insight into the piece.

"I believe that no matter the lens that visitors use to view these artifacts, they can provide insight into this remarkable group of people and critical systems that powered Titanic," Ray said before the unveiling. "We hope that this allows visitors to create their own connection to the lives that were affected by this tragedy.”

The Kilroy stoking indicator, unseen by the public until Wednesday afternoon, played a major role in the Titanic's journey. The artifact was recovered during the third RMS Titanic, Inc. expedition in 1994, and after an extensive and delicate conservation effort, it is on display for all to see. Ray explained a little about the importance of this piece of machinery.

“The stoking indicator master is the heartbeat of Titanic throughout her voyage," Ray said. "When the ship hit the iceberg, after the order came to stop, it became imperative to maintain the power systems, which is what this indicator did. This provided a critical power supply that kept the pumps running to keep the water out of Titanic and keep her afloat as long as possible. It kept the lights on, allowing passengers to navigate the ship to try to make it to a lifeboat. And it powered the wireless telegraph system, which sent the critical distress calls to try to bring rescue to the Titanic.”

There was only one of these stoking indicators onboard, and it was located in the engine room. 

“As it sank, the solid metal size collapsed under the pressure. And you’ll see that when you look at this piece," she explained. "It’s an amazing testament to the trauma of the sinking and then the decades on the ocean floor with the beautiful green patinas that it has developed.” 

The transmitter, discovered within Titanic's 15-square-mile debris field, was located between the bow and stern during RMST's 1994 expedition in collaboration with IFREMER. The artifact has been reunited with the stoking indicator receiver that was recovered during RMST's 1987 expedition.

Guests can experience an up-close-and-personal look at the grand story of the "Ship of Dreams" at TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition, located at Luxor Hotel and Casino on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

The exhibition includes more than 350 real artifacts recovered from the ocean floor, as well as room re-creations that put you right into the ship. The Grand Staircase, first and third-class cabins, and the Promenade Deck are all there for guests to experience a close up look and feel of being on the Titanic.

The exhibition is also home to the largest artifact ever recovered from the ship, a 15-ton section of Titanic's starboard hull, named "The Big Piece."

TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website.

Luxor Hotel and Casino, located on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, offers a unique experience. Shaped like a pyramid, the resort boasts a powerful beam of light that shoots into the sky from the top. It's been said to be the strongest beam in the world.

The Egyptian-themed resort features more than 4,000 rooms, multiple pools, a spa, tons of dining options, and more.

In addition to the Titanic exhibition, Luxor is home to Bodies...The Exhibition, Discovering King Tut's Tomb, HyperX Arena, Play Playground, and many shows, including Carrot Top, Fantasy: The Strip's Sexiest Tease, and Blue Man Group.

For more information about Luxor Hotel and Casino, visit their website.