In 1998, a phone call during breakfast in Mumbai changed the life of Andrew Rogers, a 34-year-old greenkeeper from Sydney, Australia. The call informed him he had won a remarkable prize: a journey to visit the wreck of the Titanic.
An Unlikely Win
Rogers’s win was the result of a simple supermarket promotion. After stocking up on treats at a Franklins in Sydney, his wife, Winnie, had accumulated enough entries to be entered into a draw at Manly’s Marineland. From 270,000 entries, Rogers’s name was selected, awarding him a seat on the first commercial expedition to the wreck, lying 4km below the ocean’s surface. The $65,000 prize was a joint venture between entrepreneur Mike McDowell and Moscow’s Shirshov Institute, utilizing the research vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh and its submersibles, Mir-1 and Mir-2.
Journey to the Abyss
The journey began with a flight to Toronto, followed by a solo trip for Rogers to St John’s, Newfoundland, via Halifax. He boarded the 125-metre Russian research vessel, which would serve as his home for 11 nights. Among the 16 passengers were deep-ocean researchers and experts, including Halifax marine geologist Alan Ruffman. Rogers formed a connection with Gregoreya, the Ukrainian leader of the deck crew, who was fascinated by his journey from Australia.
A Descent into Darkness
After days of preparation, Rogers’s descent began. Delayed by heavy swells, he entered the two-metre-diameter submersible with pilot Genya Chernaiev and co-passenger Roman Sugden, a California undertaker. The submersible began its two-and-a-half-hour descent, plunging into complete darkness, dotted only by a few fish and prawns. Chernaiev had previously piloted the submersible used by filmmaker James Cameron during research for his film about the Titanic.
Witnessing History
As the submersible neared the ocean floor, the floodlights revealed the wreckage of the Titanic, split and driven 12 metres into the silt. Rogers described the experience as “mind-blowing,” observing the ship’s colossal propeller, the White Star Line logo, and even a crab perched on a rusticle. He and Sugden shared a lunch of sandwiches and tea beside the wreck, a stark reminder of the 1,522 lives lost in 1912. They collected a rock from the seabed as a memento.
A Lasting Impact
Returning to Sydney, Rogers found the experience profoundly changed his perspective. He began collecting newspaper clippings and photographs of the Titanic and became dedicated to researching the stories of those who perished. This led him to discover Evelyn James, an Australian survivor, and to commission a headstone for her previously unmarked grave at Waverley Cemetery. Twenty-seven years later, Rogers continues to reflect on his journey, describing it as experiencing “a whole other dimension in life.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Andrew Rogers win the trip to the Titanic?
Andrew Rogers won the trip through a supermarket competition. His wife, Winnie, entered a draw at Manly’s Marineland after accumulating entries from purchases at a local Franklins supermarket.
What vessel was used for the expedition?
The expedition used the 125-metre Russian research vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh and its twin submersibles, Mir-1 and Mir-2.
What did Rogers do after returning from the expedition?
Rogers became fascinated with the history of the Titanic and dedicated himself to researching the stories of its passengers, eventually locating and marking the previously unmarked grave of Australian survivor Evelyn James.
What aspects of this extraordinary journey continue to resonate with you most strongly?
