Sunken Warships: Secrets from the Deep

The German warship Bismarck terrified British naval planners - and with good reason. In 1941, the battleship destroyed the Royal Navy's most famous cruiser, HMS Hood.

Across 27 years and two World Wars, the Barham was an iconic member of the British fleet. With a speed of 24 knots, she was fast and immensely powerful. She played an important role in World War Two and was later sent south in Operation Menace, an attempt to capture the strategically important Vichy held port of Dakar. She then transferred to the Mediterranean fleet, fighting at the famous Battle of Cape Matapan. In November 1941, she was hit by 3 torpedoes fired from U-331. News of her sinking was suppressed for as long as possible to protect British morale.

The HMS Exeter became synonymous with bravery and sacrifice. Renowned for engaging the German pocket battleship Graf Spee in 1939 off the coast of South America, her crew were celebrated as heroes by Winston Churchill upon their return. After extensive repairs, she was sent to the Far East, later to assist in the Battle of the Java Sea. Severely damaged by a Japanese shell, she attempted to withdraw and escape, only to be hunted and sunk by Japanese warships. She was rediscovered in remarkably preserved condition in 2007, but by 2015 the wreck had mysteriously vanished, destroyed by illegal salvagers.