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HMHS Britannic, Site (2025)

01/03/2024

On this day: February 26 1914

HMHS Britannic was launched at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Improvements were introduced as a consequence of the RMS Titanic disaster, the launch was filmed along with other phases of construction.

Several speeches were given in front of the press, and a dinner was organized in honor of the launching. Fitting out began subsequently. The ship would enter the dry dock in September, and her propellers were installed.

21/11/2023

On this day, November 21 1916, HMHS Britannic, sister ship of RMS Titanic and RMS Olympic was shaken by an explosion caused by a naval mine near the Greek island of Kea and foundered only 55 minutes later, in 9:07, killing 30 people out of 1065.

At 08:12 on 21 November 1916, a loud explosion shook the ship. The cause, whether it was a torpedo from an enemy submarine or a mine, was not apparent. It would later be revealed that the mines were planted in the Kea Channel on 21 October 1916 by SM U-73 under the command of Gustav Sieß. Bartlett ordered the watertight doors closed, sent a distress signal, and ordered the crew to prepare the lifeboats.

By 08:45, the list was so great that even the gantry davits were now inoperable. Britannic capsized to starboard, and the funnels collapsed one by one as it rapidly sank. By the time the stern was out of the water, the bow had already slammed into the sea floor, as Britannic's length was greater than the depth of the water, causing major structural damage to the bow, before she slipped completely beneath the waves at 09:07, only 55 minutes after the explosion.

Violet Jessop (who was also one of the survivors of Britannic's sister-ship Titanic, and had also been on the Olympic, when she collided with HMS Hawke) described the last seconds;

"She dipped her head a little, then a little lower and still lower. All the deck machinery fell into the sea like a child's toys. Then she took a fearful plunge, her stern rearing hundreds of feet into the air until with a final roar, she disappeared into the depths, the noise of her going resounding through the water with undreamt-of violence...."
When the Britannic finally came to rest, she gained her title as the largest ship lost in the First World War.

06/06/2023

On this day 107 years ago, at the end of her military service on 6 June 1916, the HMHS Britannic returned to Belfast to undergo the necessary modifications for transforming her into a transatlantic passenger liner. The British government paid the White Star Line £75,000 to compensate the transformation. The transformation took place for several months before being interrupted by a recall of the ship back into military service two months later on 26 August 1916.

Colorisation 📷 by Khromakord Studio

26/02/2023

On this day: February 26 1914

HMHS Britannic was launched at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Improvements were introduced as a consequence of the RMS Titanic disaster, the launch was filmed along with other phases of construction. Several speeches were given in front of the press, and a dinner was organized in honor of the launching. Fitting out began subsequently. The ship would enter the dry dock in September, and her propellers were installed.

22/01/2023

On this day, 3 December 1975, the wreck of HMHS Britannic was discovered by Jacques Cousteau. The wreck is located at 37°42′05″N 24°17′02″E in about 400 feet (122 m) of water. In filming the expedition, Cousteau also held conference on camera with several surviving personnel from the ship including Sheila MacBeth Mitchell, a survivor of the sinking.

But, despite the fact that wreck was located in relatively shallow water, Cousteau entered the wreck with his divers for the first time in 1976. He expressed the opinion that the ship had been sunk by a single torpedo, basing this opinion on the damage to her plates.

01/12/2022

On this day, 30 November 1911, The keel for HMHS Britannic was laid down.

The ship had some improvements to the Olympic Class design but would still be similar to her sisters. She was the same length and her breadth was increased by 18in, her gross tonnage and displacement would be greater. Engine power and propelling machinery were improved as well.

Photo: RMS Olympic's Keel

21/11/2022

On this day, November 21 1916, HMHS Britannic, sister ship of RMS Titanic and RMS Olympic was shaken by an explosion caused by a naval mine near the Greek island of Kea and foundered only 55 minutes later, in 9:07, killing 30 people out of 1065.

At 08:12 on 21 November 1916, a loud explosion shook the ship. The cause, whether it was a torpedo from an enemy submarine or a mine, was not apparent. It would later be revealed that the mines were planted in the Kea Channel on 21 October 1916 by SM U-73 under the command of Gustav Sieß. Bartlett ordered the watertight doors closed, sent a distress signal, and ordered the crew to prepare the lifeboats.

By 08:45, the list was so great that even the gantry davits were now inoperable. Britannic capsized to starboard, and the funnels collapsed one by one as it rapidly sank. By the time the stern was out of the water, the bow had already slammed into the sea floor, as Britannic's length was greater than the depth of the water, causing major structural damage to the bow, before she slipped completely beneath the waves at 09:07, only 55 minutes after the explosion.

Violet Jessop (who was also one of the survivors of Britannic's sister-ship Titanic, and had also been on the Olympic, when she collided with HMS Hawke) described the last seconds;

"She dipped her head a little, then a little lower and still lower. All the deck machinery fell into the sea like a child's toys. Then she took a fearful plunge, her stern rearing hundreds of feet into the air until with a final roar, she disappeared into the depths, the noise of her going resounding through the water with undreamt-of violence...."
When the Britannic finally came to rest, she gained her title as the largest ship lost in the First World War.

Painting by Neil Egginton

10/11/2022

Lowering Gig, Naples

Image copyright: from the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries

06/11/2022

HMHS Britannic

16/07/2022

Nice view of HMHS Britannic and two small ships.

Photo from the Tasmania library archives

08/06/2022

Rick Ayrton spent four months preparing for the dive, which didn’t disappoint, as he came across incredible scenes such as an in-tact bath located inside one of the Britannic’s bathrooms.

Jam Press/Rick Ayrton

14/04/2022

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26/02/2022

On this day: February 26 1914

HMHS Britannic was launched at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Improvements were introduced as a consequence of the RMS Titanic disaster, the launch was filmed along with other phases of construction. Several speeches were given in front of the press, and a dinner was organized in honor of the launching. Fitting out began subsequently. The ship entered dry dock in September and her propellers were installed.

05/02/2022

If you are really into Britannic you might of heard of Michail Michailakis. If anyone is interested I have an email response from Michail Michailakis regarding this photo, when I wrote him last year.

- The second photo album is genuine. The "last Britannic photo" has been examined by artist Ken Marschall and his conclusion was that the image couldn't have been taken the day of the ship's sinking. So, yes, it was most probably miscaptioned.

Best regards,

Michail Michailakis

31/12/2021

Historic ships network team wishes you all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! All best to you all!

24/11/2021

What is for dinner onboard HMHS Britannic?

Here we have an original dinner menu from HMHS Britannic, Sept 24 1916

Image copyright: from the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries

21/11/2021

On this day, 105 years ago on November 21, 1916, HMHS Britannic, sister ship of RMS Titanic and RMS Olympic was shaken by an explosion caused by a naval mine near the Greek island of Kea and foundered only 55 minutes later, in 9:07, killing 30 people out of 1065.

At 08:12 on 21 November 1916, a loud explosion shook the ship. The cause, whether it was a torpedo from an enemy submarine or a mine, was not apparent. It would later be revealed that the mines were planted in the Kea Channel on 21 October 1916 by SM U-73 under the command of Gustav Sieß. Bartlett ordered the watertight doors closed, sent a distress signal, and ordered the crew to prepare the lifeboats.

By 08:45, the list was so great that even the gantry davits were now inoperable. Britannic capsized to starboard, and the funnels collapsed one by one as it rapidly sank. By the time the stern was out of the water, the bow had already slammed into the sea floor, as Britannic's length was greater than the depth of the water, causing major structural damage to the bow, before she slipped completely beneath the waves at 09:07, only 55 minutes after the explosion.

Violet Jessop (who was also one of the survivors of Britannic's sister-ship Titanic, and had also been on the Olympic, when she collided with HMS Hawke) described the last seconds;

"She dipped her head a little, then a little lower and still lower. All the deck machinery fell into the sea like a child's toys. Then she took a fearful plunge, her stern rearing hundreds of feet into the air until with a final roar, she disappeared into the depths, the noise of her going resounding through the water with undreamt-of violence...."
When the Britannic finally came to rest, she gained her title as the largest ship lost in the First World War.