The Greek government has announced the salvage of artifacts from the sunken remains of Titanic’s sister ship, over 100 years after the ship was sunk in the Aegean waters by a German mine.
The recovery effort was executed in spring but only made public on this week, when the department of antiquities published information about the artifacts.
An team of eleven skilled divers operating specialized diving gear conducted the mission, which was led by a maritime expert.
Among the artifacts salvaged were the ship's lookout bell, a navigation light, viewing glasses, ceramic tiles from luxury baths, and items from guest quarters.
These items were secured in containers and immediately cleaned of marine organisms.
Afterward, they were moved to the research facilities of the maritime archaeology department in Athens, where conservation work will take place.
A number of items originally planned in the recovery strategy were unable to be salvaged due to their condition and underwater position.
In time, they will go on display at the upcoming maritime museum in Piraeus, within a exhibit honoring the First World War.
The Britannic was the last of the White Star Line’s prestigious liner class of ocean liners, together with the RMS Titanic and Olympic.
The ship was commandeered by the UK naval authorities during the Great War to serve as a medical vessel.
On that fateful day, it struck a enemy mine off the island of Kea and submerged in a short time.
From among more than a thousand individuals on board, 30 lost their lives when a pair of rescue boats were pulled into the ship's propellers.
