Olympic-class ocean liner
When "Titanic" sank in 1912 and "Britannic" sank in 1916, their sinkings did not receive the same attention, due to the death toll (1,517 on "Titanic" and 30 on "Britannic"). Because the exact position of the sinking of the "Britannic" is known and the location is shallow, the wreck was discovered relatively easily in 1975. "Titanic", however, drew everyone's attention in 1912. After several attempts, the wreck was finally located by Jean-Louis Michel of Ifremer and Robert Ballard following a top secret mission for the US Navy to investigate the wreckage of two nuclear submarines, USS Thresher (SSN-593) and the USS Scorpion (SSN-589), that sank in the North Atlantic in the 1960s. The discovery of the wreck occurred on 1 September 1985, at 25 kilometres from the position given of the sinking. The wreck lies about 4,000 metres deep, broken in two. The bow is relatively well preserved, but the stern partially imploded, and to a large extent disintegrated during the descent and impact on the seabed.
Expedition: Bismarck
In World War II, German Battleship Bismarck sank after being unsuccessful in its attempt to escape from the Royal Navy, lead by John Tovey. Discovered for the first time in 1989 by Dr. Robert Ballard, who had been known for discovering the Titanic, the Bismarck had been visited but one time since. James Cameron and a crew of historians search out the Bismarck in an attempt to answer many unsolved questions and search for the truth behind what happened to the ship, one of Germany's most powerful forces. With significant technological advancements, a forensics investigation into the Bismarck's wreckage is investigated, giving viewers an inside view to the lives of the soldiers at the time. The film uses revolutionary production techniques and offers high-definition shots of the Bismarck wreckage under the sea. It is a rare and incredible look into a deeply significant piece of history. This is the first chance that people will have to have a glance into what the ship was like for the first time since its sinking over 60 years ago.