She's found!

Rob White reports

We've done it. We've found her.

Today we got the first detailed, recognisable pictures of HMS Hood - the result of 6 long years of planning and hoping.

Anchor chain rests against bow

It's an incredible feeling as we watched the footage from the ROV - 3000 metres below the Denmark Strait - where the wreck has laid untouched for 60 years. Our excitement is mixed with sadness, as we remember the 1415 men who lost their lives when she sank.

We knew we had a good sonar target, but the first results when the ROV got to the ocean floor were disappointing. The hunks and shards of metal we saw initially could have come from any ship.

Gun elevation

It wasn't until we saw the hull of the great vessel herself that we knew we had achieved our mission. She was in a sorry state. The forward part of the ship - with the bow missing - was upside down resting on its deck.

Even then we had no absolute visual confirmation that this was HMS Hood. But then it came, with the unmistakable sight of two sealed-off torpedo tube doors in the side of the ship.

This was so characteristic of HMS Hood that any tiny doubts vanished.

These pictures are some of the first to arrive but don't worry we'll be publishing lots more (full size) as we go. We also hope to be able to bring you footage of the wreck tomorrow, broadcast live from the Northern Horizon. Keep checking www.channel4.com/hood for details.