HMHS Britannic

HMHS Britannic was the third and final vessel of the White Star Line's Olympic class of steamships. She was the fleet mate of both the RMS Titanic and the RMS Olympic and was intended to enter service as a transatlantic passenger liner.

History

HMHS Britannic was launched just before the start of the First World War. The ship was laid down in 1911 at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast and was launched in 1914. Due to the war, she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and completed as a hospital ship rather than a liner.

Service

Britannic served as a hospital ship in the Mediterranean Sea for the duration of the war. She transported wounded soldiers from the front lines to hospitals in the United Kingdom. Despite her service, Britannic was struck by a mine and sank in the Aegean Sea in November 1916. The sinking resulted in 30 deaths, but the majority of the crew and medical staff were rescued.

Legacy

The wreck of the Britannic was discovered in 1975 by marine explorer Jacques Cousteau. Today, it is considered one of the best-preserved shipwrecks in the world. The Britannic has been the subject of numerous documentaries and has a significant place in maritime history as the sister ship of the ill-fated Titanic.

See also

• RMS Titanic
• RMS Olympic
• White Star Line
• Harland and Wolff