Talk:Ark Royal/@comment-67.63.97.253-20170814203319

The precise location of the wreck remained unknown until mid-December 2002, when it was discovered by an underwater survey company, C & C Technologies, Inc, using a sonar-equipped autonomous underwater vehicle, 30 nautical miles (35 mi; 56 km) from Gibraltar, at about 1000 metres depth.  The company had been contracted by the BBC as part of a documentary on  maritime archaeology related to major battles of the Royal Navy.   Ark Royal lies in two sections: 20 metres (66 ft) of the bow has separated from the rest of the ship. A large debris field, which includes the remains of the funnel and bridge island, parts of the ship that came loose as the carrier sank, and aircraft from the hangars, is located between the two hull sections. Analysis revealed that the port side of the ship hit the seabed first.