Key Facts
• In 1916, the Britannic sank near Kea Island, Greece, after hitting a German mine.
• The Britannic was one of three transatlantic liners built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast.
• Originally a passenger ship, it was converted into a hospital ship during World War I.
• Artifacts were recovered for the first time, announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture on September 14, 2025.
• Items retrieved include a lookout bell, portside signal light, binoculars, and ceramic tiles.
• The recovery project was led by Simon Mills, founder of the Britannic Foundation, and overseen by Greece’s Underwater Antiquities Department.
• Challenging conditions, such as strong currents and poor visibility, hindered the recovery process.
• Recovered artifacts will be displayed at a new underwater cultural heritage museum in Piraeus, Greece.
• The museum is currently under construction and will feature these items in a permanent exhibit.
Summary
The Britannic, Titanic’s sister ship, sank in 1916 near Kea Island, Greece, after striking a German mine during World War I. For the first time, artifacts from the wreck have been recovered, as announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture on September 14, 2025. Items retrieved include a lookout bell, signal light, binoculars, and decorative tiles. The recovery project, led by Simon Mills of the Britannic Foundation and supervised by Greece’s Underwater Antiquities Department, faced significant challenges due to strong currents and poor visibility. These artifacts will be preserved and displayed at a new underwater cultural heritage museum in Piraeus, Greece, which is currently under construction.
