Archaeologists are celebrating a significant discovery following the retrieval of valuable artifacts from the sunken HMHS Britannic, often referred to as the ‘sister ship’ of the Titanic, more than a hundred years after its tragic fate. The Britannic, originally built as a luxurious liner in 1914, was converted into a hospital ship during World War I shortly after its completion. Unfortunately, just two years later, it struck a mine and sank off the coast of Kea, near Athens, en route to the Greek island of Lemnos.
Despite being the largest hospital ship in service at the time, the Britannic succumbed to the sea within an hour of the incident, resulting in the loss of 30 lives when lifeboats were struck by the propellers. Recently, officials disclosed that a team of deep-sea divers successfully recovered artifacts from the wreckage for the first time. The operation, carried out by an 11-member diving team in challenging conditions, yielded various items from the Britannic, such as its bell, navigation light, and opulent furnishings.
The divers encountered difficulties including strong currents and limited visibility but managed to salvage well-preserved artifacts like the ship’s bell, silver-plated serving trays, ceramic tiles from a Turkish bath, and a porcelain sink believed to be from the second-class cabins. Notably, the sink maintained its original white finish, and a plate bearing the ‘White Star Line’ stamp was also recovered. Additionally, a navigation lamp and a pair of passenger binoculars were part of the significant findings.
The Britannic remained undisturbed on the seabed until 1975 when it was located by deep-sea explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau at a depth of 120 meters (400 feet). The recent recovery effort was coordinated by British historian Simon Mills, founder of the Britannic Foundation, with the artifacts now undergoing conservation in Athens. These recovered items will be integrated into the upcoming Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus, Greece, forming a focal point in the museum’s dedicated First World War section.