Wreck of HMS Hood found

More than 1400 men died when the ship sank (Picture: Imperial War Museum)

The first images have been released of a British warship discovered on the sea bed 60 years after it was destroyed by the Germans.

HMS Hood, which was the pride of Britain's fleet in its hey-day, was sunk in May 1941 by German ship the Bismarck, killing 1,415 men.

The remains, which include substantial portions of the ship's hull, were found at a depth of 3,000 metres in the Denmark Strait between Greenland and Iceland.

The remains have been found 3,000 metres down (Picture: Channel 4)

The search for the ship was led by respected undersea explorer David Mearns, using state-of-the-art sonar and remotely-operated vehicles.

Mr Mearns said: "Our immediate reaction has been one of surprise by the damage suffered by Hood.

"It is far worse than any of us expected.

"The images we have seen are a constant reminder that the wreck site is a massive war grave and in that regards I have the deepest respect for the 1,415 men who died here 60 years ago.

Bismarck destroyed

The Bismarck itself was sunk three days after it destroyed the Hood.

Ted Briggs, the sole survivor of the Hood who is still alive, said: "Many of the relatives of the men lost with the Hood have spoken to me to say how happy they are that we are going out to the site.

Ted Briggs survived the disaster

"This is a chance to say a final goodbye to the men who died there."

The search team plans to leave a bronze memorial plaque on the wreck, which lists the names of all those who perished.

Channel 4, which released the pictures, will transmit a documentary about the search - called Hunt for Hood - in August.