First Artefacts Recovered From Titanic’s Sister Ship Britannic Over A Century After It Sank

Last Updated:September 17, 2025, 00:53 IST

Following recovery, the artefacts were transported to the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities laboratories in Athens.

The Britannic was the third and final ship of the White Star Line’s Olympic (AFP)

More than a century after the HMHS Britannic, sister ship of the ill-fated Titanic, sank in the Aegean Sea, divers have recovered the first artefacts from the wreck, reported AP. The vessel, once hailed as the largest and safest of the Olympic-class liners built by the White Star Line, met its tragic end during World War I when it struck a German mine off the Greek island of Kea on 16 November 1916. It sank in under an hour, claiming the lives of 30 people.

In a groundbreaking underwater operation, an 11-member team of professional divers used closed-circuit equipment to descend more than 120 meters (390 feet) to the wreck site. The recovery mission was organised by British maritime historian Simon Mills, founder of the Britannic Foundation and current owner of the ship’s wreck. Although the expedition was conducted in May, it was only publicly disclosed this week after Greece’s Culture Ministry released details of the findings.

According to the ministry, this marks the first time objects have been retrieved from the wreck of the Britannic, making the discovery both historically and archaeologically significant. Among the artefacts recovered were the ship’s lookout bell, a portside navigation lamp, a pair of binoculars, ceramic tiles, and various items from first- and second-class cabins. These items were carefully lifted using air bags, secured in containers, and promptly cleaned of marine life.

Following recovery, the artefacts were transported to the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities laboratories in Athens. Conservation efforts are now underway, with plans to eventually exhibit the items at the forthcoming National Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus. A dedicated section at the museum will focus on World War I maritime history.

The Culture Ministry noted that conditions at the site were particularly difficult, citing strong currents, low visibility, and the extreme depth. Some objects targeted for recovery had to be left behind due to their fragile condition or inaccessible location.

The Britannic was the third and final ship of the White Star Line’s Olympic class, which included the Titanic and Olympic. Unlike its sister ships, the Britannic was serving as a hospital ship when it sank.

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