Artifacts Retrieved from Titanic's Counterpart Vessel, HMHS Britannic
Greece disclosed the salvage of historical items from the underwater site of HMHS Britannic, over 100 years after the liner was lost in the Aegean Sea by a German mine.
The operation was carried out in spring but only made public on Monday, when the culture ministry shared information about the discoveries.
An team of eleven professional deep-sea divers using closed-circuit equipment carried out the mission, which was organized by a maritime expert.
Part of the objects recovered were the nautical bell, a navigation light, optical equipment, decorative tiles from Turkish baths, and items from first- and second-class cabins.
These items were secured in special boxes and quickly rinsed of sea deposits.
Subsequently, they were delivered to the laboratories of the maritime archaeology department in the city, where preservation efforts will proceed.
Certain artifacts identified in the recovery strategy could not be recovered due to their state and location.
In time, they will go on display at the upcoming maritime museum in the port city, within a gallery dedicated to World War One.
This historic vessel was the third of the maritime firm’s famous series of steamships, which included the Titanic and Olympic.
The ship was requisitioned by the UK naval authorities during the Great War to operate as a medical vessel.
In November 1916, it struck a enemy mine off the Aegean island and submerged in under 60 minutes.
Out of 1,065 people present, 30 lost their lives when escape vessels were drawn toward the ship's propellers.
