Historic Artifacts Retrieved from Britannic Wreck
In a groundbreaking expedition, deep-sea divers have successfully recovered a selection of artifacts from the wreck of the HMHS Britannic, 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 depths of over 120 meters (390 feet) at the Britannic site, according to the Greek culture ministry.
Significant Recovery Efforts
The HMHS Britannic, a sister ship to the infamous RMS Titanic, was repurposed as a floating hospital during World War I. Tragically, it struck a German mine in November 1916 while navigating near the Greek island of Kea, leading to its swift sinking within an hour. Of the 1,065 individuals aboard, 30 lost their lives due to the ship’s propellers entangling two lifeboats, as reported by the culture ministry.
This recent recovery operation took place in May and involved an 11-member team of professional divers equipped with closed-circuit diving gear. The project was spearheaded by British amateur historian Simon Mills, founder of the Britannic Foundation, and was conducted under the supervision of a specialized department within the Greek culture ministry dedicated to underwater archaeology. The ministry noted that the challenging conditions at the wreck site, including strong currents, significant depth, and poor visibility, complicated the retrieval process. Some selected items could not be recovered due to their preservation status and location.
The artifacts brought to the surface 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. Following their recovery, these items were transported to laboratories in Athens for conservation. They are set to be displayed in a permanent exhibition at a new museum of underwater antiquities currently under construction in Piraeus, further preserving the legacy of this historic vessel.
Legacy of the Britannic
The Britannic was one of three transatlantic liners constructed at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, with the RMS Titanic being the first of the trio. The third vessel, the RMS Olympic, operated from 1911 to 1935 and underwent significant safety enhancements following the Titanic disaster in 1912. The retrieval of these artifacts not only sheds light on the Britannic’s storied past but also contributes to the broader understanding of maritime history during a tumultuous period.
