Sadly, yes! Some low-life STOLE the 1986 plaque from the Titanic stern! I went to the Titanic Historical Society (THS) website and here's what they had to say :

THS Plaque Honoring the Dead is missing!

In 1986 a bronze plaque created by the Titanic Historical Society was placed on the stern of Titanic by the manned submersible Alvin on Robert D. Ballard’s second expedition to her grave. The first expedition was a cooperative effort of American and French scientists who discovered Titanic on September 1, 1985. The plaque was the first tangible remembrance placed on the wreck and originally was to be left on her nobly preserved bow, but the majority who died had gathered on her stern, and that last, final haven was chosen.

The plaque reads: "In memory of those souls who perished with the "Titanic" April 14/15, 1912. Dedicated to William H. Tantum, IV whose dream to find "Titanic" has been realized by Dr. Robert D. Ballard. The officers and members of the Titanic Historical Society inc. 1986"

When you see the movie "Ghosts of the Abyss" you should note that the THS plaque is missing - maliciously removed. An act no different than that of vandals who get their kicks by turning over headstones in a cemetery. Instead you will see a host of other plaques left there since THS’s first placement of a memorial plaque.

Bill Tantum was a former president of the THS who worked with Dr. Ballard in the 1970s to find the ship. “Bill kept my Titanic dream afloat” said Ballard who wanted the plaque to be a tribute to Tantum and the Titanic Historical Society who were the first to keep the memory of the ship alive.

We hope you will share our pride in the contributions the Titanic Historical Society, Inc. has made since 1963 to preserve the history of Titanic and to help in her discovery. Since 1985, we have cooperated with governments and institutions to protect the wreck and educate the public to recognize that Titanic is a grave site and should not be plundered.

It's just flat-out awful!!