HMHS Britannic
Overview
HMHS
Britannic was the third and largest of the White Star Line
. She was the sister ship of and , and was intended to enter service as a transatlantic passenger liner. She was launched just before the start of the First World War and was laid up at her builders in Belfast for many months before being put to use as a hospital ship
in 1915. In that role she struck a mine
off the Greek island of Kea
, in the Kea Channel
on 21 November 1916, and sank with the loss of 30 lives.
Following the loss of the Titanic and the subsequent inquiries, several design changes were made to the remaining Olympic-class liners.
Ship prefix
A ship prefix is a combination of letters, usually abbreviations, used in front of the name of a civilian or naval ship.Prefixes for civilian vessels may either identify the type of propulsion, such as "SS" for steamship, or purpose, such as "RV" for research vessel. Civilian prefixes are often...
Britannic was the third and largest of the White Star Line
White Star Line
The Oceanic Steam Navigation Company or White Star Line of Boston Packets, more commonly known as the White Star Line, was a prominent British shipping company, today most famous for its ill-fated vessel, the RMS Titanic, and the World War I loss of Titanics sister ship Britannic...
. She was the sister ship of and , and was intended to enter service as a transatlantic passenger liner. She was launched just before the start of the First World War and was laid up at her builders in Belfast for many months before being put to use as a hospital ship
Hospital ship
A hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment facility or hospital; most are operated by the military forces of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones....
in 1915. In that role she struck a mine
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
off the Greek island of Kea
Kea (island)
Kea , also known as Gia or Tzia , Zea, and, in Antiquity, Keos , is an island of the Cyclades archipelago, in the Aegean Sea, in Greece. Kea is part of the Kea-Kythnos peripheral unit. Its capital, Ioulis, is inland at a high altitude and is considered quite picturesque...
, in the Kea Channel
Kea Channel
The Kea Channel, is a passage of water in the Aegean Sea, lying between the islands of Makronisi and Kea, just off Cape Sounion on the mainland of Greece. It is the location of the wreck of HMHS Britannic, which was sunk on November 21, 1916....
on 21 November 1916, and sank with the loss of 30 lives.
Following the loss of the Titanic and the subsequent inquiries, several design changes were made to the remaining Olympic-class liners.
Unanswered Questions
