An Aberdeen-based underwater survey company have discovered a sunken First World War battleship in the southern Mediterranean.

While carrying out work for a proposed gas pipeline between Algeria and Sardinia, a team from Fugro-Rovtech spotted the ship in around a thousand metres of water in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Further investigations found it was the wreck of the French battleship the Danton, which was torpedoed in 1917 with the loss of almost 300 people on board.

The boat was hit twice in quick succession by torpedoes from a German submarine. The electrical system was disabled, making it impossible to launch the lifeboats.

The commander gave the order to abandon ship uttering the cry "Vive la France". A destoyer and two trawlers managed to pick up 800 men.

As a result of the discovery the pipeline is being re-routed to ensure the wreck is undisturbed.

The project will see the deepest underwater pipeline ever built at a depth of more than 2,800 meters running between Algeria and Sardinia. It is due to deliver gas from 2012.

Fugro-Rovtech provides vessels and underwater specialist support for construction, remotely operated vehicles and drill support.