Secrets of the Lost Liners

The most expensive and extravagant ocean liner ever built, a symbol of French national pride attracting the super wealthy. But this art deco icon would end up destroyed by fire in New York. Was her doom due to shadowy World War II sabotage?

This floating palace became part of a cunning plan by the British Government to help defeat Hitler. Instrumental in helping turn the tide of the war, why did the treasured Queen Elizabeth end up coming to such an undignified end in Hong Kong Harbour?

Launching in the 1950s, the Andrea Doria was the envy of other shipping lines and attracted the cream of Hollywood glamour. But on her 51st voyage across the Atlantic to America, she never made it. How could this vessel with the latest navigation equipment flounder on the high seas?

The pride of Mussolini's dictatorship, the Rex broke many records in terms of technical abilities and a new level of luxury at sea. Avoiding being turned into a troop ship and hidden in relative safety throughout WWII, why was she still attacked by the Allies?

This German flagship doubled up in a 1942 version of the Titanic made as a propaganda film by the Nazis. But her end would be equally tragic with an even greater loss of life. Over 5000 souls would perish on board, but which country was to blame?

One of the longest-serving liners in history, the SS America found life as a much-loved cruise ship. How could such seemingly minor events see her gallant life end as a wreck on the shores of The Canary Islands in the 1990s?

The Titanic sank with a terrible death toll in 1912, but World War I soon overshadowed the tragedy. Decades later, two men strive to rediscover the ship’s memory.

In January 2012, on the first leg of a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea, the Costa Concordia deviated from her route and was rocked by a deadly crash.

A ship with incredible misfortune, the MS Achille Lauro suffered two serious collisions, multiple onboard fires and was even hijacked by PLO terrorists in 1985.

After being foundered in a storm, Oceanos was abandoned by many of her crew- including the negligent captain - leaving hundreds of passengers stranded on board.

A fabulous cruise ship for the super wealthy, the Empress of Britain was called up for war duty and entered an epic final battle with the German Luftwaffe.

The pride of France after saving many lives and surviving World War II, this groundbreaking ship was ultimately used and destroyed in a disaster film.