Earlier this month, ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn made a historic discovery during a submarine dive off the coast of Alejandro Selkirk Island in Chile’s Juan Fernández Archipelago.
On Monday, the 14th of October 2024, Seabourn Pursuit, the line’s newest purpose-built expedition ship, located the Titania, a German supply ship that had been lost for 110 years. Resting 95 metres beneath the waves, this extraordinary find represents the first sighting of the Titania since it was intentionally sunk in 1914.
“Experiences like these are a testament to the spirit of expedition, and this discovery is nothing short of historic,” said Robin West, Vice President and General Manager of Expeditions at Seabourn. “Seabourn’s expeditions, and, particularly, our submarine explorations, often take our guests to places where no other human has ever explored. I am so incredibly proud of our expedition team for delivering this once-in-a-lifetime and truly unforgettable ‘Seabourn Moment’ to our guests and the local community on Selkirk Island.”
The remarkable discovery of the Titania was made possible through the submarine team’s extensive research and strong collaboration with local communities, ensuring guests enjoyed a truly unforgettable experience. Under the leadership of Submarine Pilot Mauricio Fernandez, the team - comprising Kieran Buckley, Henrik Enckell and Isaac Yebra - partnered with a local fisherman, Gino Perez, who had heard tales of the Titania’s possible resting place. Perez accompanied the dive, aiding the team in navigating to the suspected wreck site. With perfect weather conditions, they located the Titania at a depth of 95 metres, approximately 4.25 nautical miles off the northwest coast of Selkirk. Following the discovery, the island’s harbour master confirmed that no other divers or submarines had explored the wreck prior to this historic dive.
Fernandez shared how the emotion in the submarine was palpable: “We were there witnessing history, and our guests had the chance to be a part of this discovery of Titania and the first to see this ship after she sank to the bottom of the ocean 110 years ago. This was truly a special moment of discovery and a perfect example of how Seabourn Expeditions continues to provide our guests with incredible Seabourn Moments throughout each journey.”
Titania was scuttled on the 19th of November 1914 and stories of the wreck passed down through generations. While fishermen occasionally discovered metal fragments in their lobster traps that they believed belonged to the vessel, the wreck had never been officially located until now.
