An ocean-floor view of Titanic's staircase

Robert Williams first heard of the Titanic when his English grandmother gave him a copy of "The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters" for his 8th birthday.

The book, printed in 1912, was the first narrative of the disaster, and it made an instant impact.

"When I started reading it, it started to tug at me, and from that point forward I was hooked," said Williams during a recent telephone interview.

The Michigan businessman, who spends his winters on Longboat Key, has spent nearly 60 years researching the tragedy, even making two research dives to the Titanic.

Featured in major publications and documentaries about the ship, Williams is familiar with G.WIZ's new fascinating and revealing "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition."

In a brief interview, the 67-year-old spoke about his undersea excursions to the wreckage, the continued obsession with the famed ship, and whether James Cameron got it right with his 1997 blockbuster "Titanic."

What do you think of 'Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition'?

The exhibit is great. It brings the public closer to this very unique disaster. When you see these things close up, it really tugs at you. There really is no substitution for reality.

Why is the public still fascinated by the sinking of the Titanic?

The great loss of life. It was a really unique situation in time because the Titanic struck an iceberg, and 2 1/2 hours later 1,523 people died as a consequence. In that particular hour, everyone on that ship was equal in the true sense of the word. Regardless of what you have in your pockets, you're there and you're going to die. It's one of those circumstances that's tough for anyone to really come to grips with.

Describe your first dive to the Titanic in 2001.

We flew to Newfoundland and met with a Russian research vessel, which took us to the site. There, we boarded a three-man submersible and dove 2 1/2 miles down. It takes 2 1/2 hours to get to the bottom. All the light is gone after around 300-400 feet -- it's absolutely black. Then you reach the sea floor and you're maneuvering about a quarter-mile to the wreck. The Titanic is in two big pieces ... the bow section looks most like the ship. Seeing it makes your heart come up in your throat. It's just unbelievable ... to be able to see it and be able to maneuver through it. That particular dive we got into the Grand Staircase ... the submersible dropped three floors. It's was so amazing, I visited the site again the next year."

Do you plan on visiting the Titanic again?

I've been in the queue for the last three years. Since 2005, the relationship between the U.S. and Russia hasn't been great. But 2012 is the 100th anniversary and hopefully relations with Russian will improve so I can be able to make another trip.

What did you think of James Cameron's film "Titanic"?

The movie was embellished with a lot of fiction, but some was pure fact. But you have to give James Cameron his due. It was an excellent movie. What it did do was really light a fire in a lot of people who heard the name but really didn't know the basic story about Titanic because to them it was just a big ship disaster. It really ignited the so-called 'Titanic craze.'

How do you think people will react to the exhibit?

To realize it was a significant instant in history that will probably never be repeated. The conditions will never be like they were in 1912. I can't think of anyone who will go to the exhibit who won't come out changed in some way. Just the mental impact on what they see and being able to relate directly with what they see.

It will leave an indelible print on them whether they're school-aged or whether they are older.