Charting the design, service, and loss of some of the world's greatest ocean liners. Covering 100 years, from art deco icons, luxury floating palaces, to national symbols, all tragically lost through conflict, accidents, or human error.
EPISODE 1
Normandie
The SS Normandie entered service in 1935 and remains the most powerful steam turbo-electric-propelled passenger ship ever built. When the United States entered the Second World War, the Normandie was seized by the Americans for use as a troopship.
EPISODE 2
Queen Elizabeth
This floating palace became part of a cunning plan by the British Government to help defeat Hitler. Instrumental in helping to turn the tide of the war, the treasured Queen Elizabeth ended up coming to an undignified end in Hong Kong Harbour.
EPISODE 3
Andrea Doria
Launching in the 1950s, this vessel 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.
EPISODE 4
Rex
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 throughout WWII, she was still attacked by the Allies.
EPISODE 5
Cap Arcona
This German flagship served as the set for the 1942 Nazi propaganda feature film `Titanic'. Her end would be equally tragic, with an even greater loss of life.
EPISODE 6
America
One of the longest-serving liners in history, the SS America found life as a much-loved cruise ship. Seemingly minor events saw her gallant life end as a wreck on the shores of The Canary Islands in the 1990s.
Mark Chirnside
Sean Pertwee
Jason Davidson
Peter Roch
Jonathan Levi
William Simpson
