The Titanic lies still and rusting in its final resting place.

An upright carafe and glass survived the sinking.

This white China still in the wooden sideboards.

¡¡¡¡For 13 years people have been able to drop down to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean in submersibles to see the remains of the Titanic. But now, hundred years on after it sank, these expeditions are coming to close to allow the ship to rest in peace. Here, ROB McCALLUM who works for the deep-sea exploration company that took 150 people down there, describes the underwater journey.

¡¡¡¡As the craft glides through the freezing depths of the ocean, more than two miles below the surface, I stare out through the thick glass window into the abyss.

¡¡¡¡Over the past decade, nearly 200 Titanic dives by the company have taken 150 individuals down to see it, and ¨D despite the $59,000 cost ¨D the expeditions have never been more over-subscribed than for this year ¨D the 100th anniversary of the disaster.

¡¡¡¡The clients have included bankers, teachers, pilots, doctors, historical experts and sometimes the descendants of survivors or those who perished in the tragedy.

¡¡¡¡But, after 13 years, 2012 is also the last time we will be running such trips to the Titanic.

¡¡¡¡It has been a wonderful adventure.It is also possible to glimpse the interiors of some of the cabins, especially where the outer steel sheets of the hull were ripped away. Although the woodwork and fabrics have long gone, the metal walls and bronze and brass fittings remain.

¡¡¡¡Particularly poignant are the quarters of Captain Smith, who, in true heroic naval traditions, went down with his ship.

¡¡¡¡Of his three rooms, his bathroom is most clearly visible ¨D his porcelain bathtub still in remarkably good condition.

¡¡¡¡Perhaps even more astonishing are all the artefacts strewn on the ground around the two main sections. Everywhere you look there are bottles, crockery, cutlery, even suitcases and shoes.

¡¡¡¡No clothes, carpets or other such material survives, as all that would have long rotted or been eaten by living organisms. But anything leather has generally stayed in good condition and is only covered in a layer of silt.

¡¡¡¡Indeed, the number of shoes is surprising. This is because the ship went down just before midnight, at a time when many passengers would have retired to their cabins, undressed and put their shoes outside the door, ready to be cleaned by the staff.

¡¡¡¡There are no remains from any of the 1,514 victims who perished in the disaster. Their bodies would have been cast over a huge area, since many of them drowned or died of hypothermia in the freezing ocean.

¡¡¡¡On my trips to the wreckage, I have been astounded at the range of strange beings, such as six-inch rat-tailed fish, white-bodied crabs and creatures that give off light: blue, green and white flashes as they attract mates, or lure prey. It will be an honour to see the Titanic, in all her ruined glory, one last time.