In 1986 a deep-diving submersible revisited the Titanic, capturing haunting images including Captain Edward Smith's bathtub (pictured), which captivated the world. In 1987, 1,800 objects were recovered from the wreck, and in 1996 a failed attempt was made to raise a section of the ship.

These actions, involving the site where over 1,500 people died, were criticised as 'grave robbing'. In 1995, filmmaker James Cameron made 12 dives to the wreck, using the footage for his 1997 blockbuster movie. Subsequent expeditions have revealed significant disintegration, with 'rusticles' covering much of the structure; Captain Smith's bathroom, for instance, has now completely disappeared.

Undersea treasures: world's most incredible shipwrecks