First objects retrieved from wreck of Titanic’s sister ship in Greece

In a groundbreaking underwater expedition, deep-sea divers have successfully recovered a collection of artifacts from the wreck of the HMHS Britannic, the Titanic’s sister ship, which sank off the coast of Greece in 1916. Among the items retrieved are a signal lamp, ceramic tiles, and a pair of binoculars. This marks the first time objects have been recovered from the Britannic’s wreck site, located at depths exceeding 120 meters (390 feet).

Significance of the Recovery

The Greek culture ministry announced the successful retrieval on Monday, highlighting the importance of this research program. The HMHS Britannic was one of three transatlantic liners constructed by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, with the RMS Titanic being the most famous of the trio. During World War I, the Britannic was requisitioned by the British admiralty and converted into a floating hospital. Tragically, it struck a German mine in November 1916 while navigating near the Greek island of Kea, sinking in less than an hour. Out of the 1,065 individuals aboard, 30 lost their lives when the ship’s propellers entangled two lifeboats.

This recent project, which took place in May, involved an 11-member team of professional divers utilizing closed-circuit diving equipment. The initiative was organized by Simon Mills, a British amateur historian and founder of the Britannic Foundation, and was supervised by a department within the Greek culture ministry that specializes in underwater archaeology. The ministry noted that the challenging conditions at the wreck site, including strong currents, significant depth, and low visibility, complicated the recovery efforts. Some selected items could not be retrieved due to their location and preservation status.

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Future of the Artifacts

The artifacts recovered from the Britannic include the ship’s observation post bell, the portside signal lamp, various pieces of portable equipment from first and second class, ceramic tiles that once adorned a Turkish bath, and a pair of binoculars. These items have been transported to specialized laboratories in Athens for conservation. The Greek culture ministry has announced that they will be featured in a permanent exhibition at a new museum dedicated to underwater antiquities currently under construction in Piraeus.

The Britannic, along with its sister ships, holds a significant place in maritime history. The RMS Olympic, the third vessel in the group, operated from 1911 to 1935 and underwent safety improvements following the Titanic disaster in 1912. The ongoing efforts to document and preserve the Britannic wreck and its artifacts continue to shed light on this fascinating chapter of history.