Divers recover artifacts from Britannic, Titanic’s sister ship, in first-ever dive

Divers have recovered artifacts from the Britannic, Titanic's sister ship, in what Greece's Culture Ministry described as the first operation to yield objects from the vessel since its 1916 sinking. The ministry said an 11-person diving team conducted a week-long expedition in May, with details released on Sept. 16.

Britannic, built in 1914 as a luxury liner and later converted to a hospital ship, sank on Nov. 21, 1916, after striking a mine off the island of Kea in the Aegean Sea, about 45 miles southeast of Athens. Of roughly 1,060 people aboard, 30 died after lifeboats were struck by the ship's rotating propellers. The wreck lies about 400 feet deep in waters of low visibility.

Among the artifacts recovered that the ministry said are of particular interest are the ship’s lookout bell and the port-side navigation lamp. The divers also retrieved items that reflect the Britannic's luxury design, including silver-plated first-class trays and Turkish bath tiles, along with a pair of binoculars. Some ceramic tiles from the Turkish bath were detached; conservation will help stabilize them for display.

The relics will be moved to the National Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus, where they will be included in a permanent World War I exhibition. The Britannic's wreck is described as a centerpiece of the WWI section once conservation is completed. The Greek Culture Ministry said the artifacts will be accessioned into the museum's collection as part of Greece's underwater heritage program.

The discovery underscores ongoing interest in the underwater heritage of the Aegean and the broader history of the Olympic-class ships. The Greek Culture Ministry said the May dive was kept private until the Sept. 16 announcement, with cooperation from researchers and authorities responsible for maritime antiquities.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.