First objects retrieved from Titanic's sister ship in Greece

AFP | Athens

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Deep-sea divers have made history by retrieving the first batch of artifacts from the HMHS Britannic, the Titanic's sister ship that sank off Greece's coast in 1916. Led by British historian Simon Mills and supervised by Greece's Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, the 11-member team used closed-circuit diving equipment to explore the wreck site, located at depths of over 120 meters.

The recovered artifacts include:

- Ship's Observation Post Bell: A significant historical find

- Portside Signal Lamp: Providing insight into the ship's operations

- Ceramic Tiles: Once decorated the vessel's Turkish bath, showcasing the ship's luxurious amenities

- Binoculars: A pair recovered from the wreck site

- Portable Equipment: Items from first and second class, offering a glimpse into life on board

These artifacts have been transported to Athens for conservation and will be featured in a permanent exhibition at the new Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus. The HMHS Britannic, built at Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, was requisitioned as a hospital ship during WWI and sank after striking a German mine near the Greek island of Kea, resulting in 30 fatalities.