National Geographic new oceanographic research videos

Sea Technology, Oct 2000

Dr. Robert Ballard, one of National Geographic Society's explorer-in-residence, leads an expedition into the depths of the Mediterranean Sea to unlock the secrets of mysterious ancient shipwrecks from the 8th century BC in National Geographic Home Video's newest release, "Lost Ships of the Mediterranean." The video details the discovery of two nearly 3,000-yearold Phoenician merchant ships. Ballard seeks to recover precious artifacts from an ancient maritime civilization from these wrecks-the oldest ever found in the deep waters of the Mediterraneanon this historic expedition.

"Submarine I-52: Search for WWII Gold," recounts the story of the illfated sub and the adventurers who seek its golden treasure. For over a half a century, the final resting-place of the Japanese submarine has remained a mystery to World War II historians and treasure hunters alike. While on a top secret trading mission to Nazi-occupied Europe, the submarine was sunk by U.S. Navy warplanes and disappeared into the murky waters of the Atlantic Ocean, taking its entire crew and supplies of rubber, opium and a rumored two tons of gold bullion to a watery tomb.

The yellow-border titles were available September 19. NGT is partnered with NBC and Fox Entertainment to grow the National Geographic Channels worldwide, currently operating in 64 countries and reaching more than 53 million households in 12 languages. National Geographic will launch a channel in the U.S. in the second half of 2000.