First Recovery in Over 100 Years
For the first time in more than a century, divers have recovered objects from the wreck of HMHS Britannic, the sister ship of the Titanic. A team of 11 divers brought several items to the surface in May 2025, exactly 109 years after the vessel sank in the Aegean Sea.
The recovery marks a historic milestone in maritime archaeology, shedding new light on one of the largest shipwrecks of the early 20th century.
The Britannic: Titanic’s Twin
The Britannic was one of three giant liners built by the White Star Line in the early 1900s. Along with the Olympic and the ill-fated Titanic, it represented the company’s ambition to dominate transatlantic travel.
Although originally designed as a passenger liner, the Britannic was converted into a hospital ship during the First World War. Painted in white with a large red cross on its hull, it ferried wounded soldiers across the Mediterranean.
The 1916 Sinking
On 21 November 1916, while sailing near the Greek island of Kea, the Britannic struck a German naval mine laid by a U-boat. The explosion tore a massive hole in its hull.
Despite being larger and considered safer than the Titanic, the Britannic sank within less than an hour. Out of the 1,065 people on board, 30 lost their lives. The relatively low death toll was attributed to lessons learned from the Titanic disaster four years earlier, including improved lifeboat drills.
Today, the wreck lies about 120 meters below the surface of the Aegean Sea.
Items Retrieved from the Wreck
According to Greece’s Ministry of Culture, the May 2025 expedition successfully recovered several historically significant artifacts. Among them were:
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A signal lamp used for naval communication.
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Ceramic tiles from the ship’s interior.
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A pair of binoculars believed to have belonged to the ship’s crew.
These items have been transported to a laboratory in Athens, where they will be preserved and later displayed in a public exhibition.
The ministry emphasized that not all objects were removed. Some were left untouched due to their fragile condition or cultural significance at the wreck site.
International Collaboration
The expedition was led by British historian Simon Mills, a noted expert on the Britannic. Oversight was provided by the Greek Ministry of Culture, which stressed the difficulty of accessing the wreck at such depths.
Mills described the recovery as “a rare opportunity to connect with a pivotal chapter in maritime and wartime history.” He added that the project was carefully designed to balance preservation with research.
Why This Discovery Matters
The recovery of items from the Britannic is more than an archaeological achievement. It also provides historians with valuable insights into the role of hospital ships during wartime.
While the Titanic is better known worldwide, the Britannic’s story highlights how global conflict reshaped the use of passenger vessels. Maritime experts note that studying such wrecks offers lessons on naval engineering, wartime logistics, and human survival at sea.
The find also underscores the importance of underwater heritage protection. Many wrecks from both world wars remain scattered across the Mediterranean, vulnerable to looting and environmental decay.
Looking Ahead
The artifacts from the Britannic are expected to go on public display in Athens within the next year. Greek officials hope the exhibition will attract international visitors and raise awareness about maritime history.
For divers, historians, and enthusiasts alike, the recovery brings renewed attention to the Britannic, a ship that has long remained in the shadow of its more famous twin, the Titanic.
