Artifacts Retrieved from the Titanic’s Sister Ship, Britannic
The Greek government revealed the salvage of artifacts from the underwater site of the Britannic, a full century after the ship was sunk in the Aegean waters by a naval explosive.
The operation was conducted in spring but revealed on recently, when the department of antiquities shared information about the items retrieved.
An group of 11 professional deep-sea divers using advanced rebreathers carried out the recovery, which was led by a historical researcher.
Among the items retrieved were the vessel’s bell, a portside navigation lamp, optical equipment, decorative tiles from luxury baths, and equipment from guest quarters.
These items were placed in protective cases and quickly rinsed of sea deposits.
Afterward, they were moved to the laboratories of the underwater heritage agency in Athens, where restoration processes will proceed.
Certain artifacts identified in the recovery strategy were unable to be salvaged due to their condition and placement.
These artifacts are scheduled to go on display at the new National Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus, within a section focusing on World War One.
This historic vessel was the third of the shipping company’s famous series of passenger ships, together with the RMS Titanic and sister ship Olympic.
The ship was requisitioned by the British navy during the war to serve as a hospital ship.
On that fateful day, it struck a German mine off the Aegean island and submerged in under 60 minutes.
From among 1,065 people aboard, 30 died when escape vessels were pulled into the ship's propellers.
