HMHS BRITANNIC EXPEDITION
These images are all on the EXPEDITION VIDEO FILM
During September 1998 I took part in an expedition to HMHS Britannic. Liners aren't really my bag but this still rates as one of my favorite series of dives. Britannic is absolutely massive and is situated in very clear waters among the Greek islands. Below is a map with her location from Simon Mills book.
I conducted all of my dives solo and wondered around this stunning wreck getting as much of it onto tape as I could. I was mostly awestruck by her sheer size and intactness. Wherever I went on the wreck there were great things to look at shown in the gallery below.
HMHS Britannic hit a mine laid by U73 under the Command of this man.
His name is Klt. Gustav Siess. Also on board the U73 was Martin Niemoller, who went on to become a Lutheran pastor and an opponent of the Nazis, for which he was imprisoned. This is U73. More information about her can be found at uboat.net
The ship was essentially the sister of Titanic and although she had been modified, she sank in bizarrely similar circumstances, having received at face value, little damage. She was being operated by the British government as a hospital ship at the time.
Britannic sunk because it is thought the watertight doors failed to close fully. Her portholes were open as Captain Bartlett attempted to drive her aground, water poured in through them, accelerating the flooding. 1036 of the 1066 on board were saved. 30 were killed by the still rotating propellers of the ship.
She was originally found by Jacques Cousteau and has been visited by many oceanographers and divers in recent years.
The expedition website contains much information relating to we got up to.
Media companies wishing purchase footage go here
THE WRECK OF BRITANNIC
First View
This isn't the seabed - its the wreck at 90m depth!
The Bridge First View
The bridge gear is all there - here you see the helm and bridge telegraph
Port side navigation light
The wreck lies on its starboard side - this light is the highest point of the wreck, aside from the davits.
Inside
I penetrated the wreck in a few places. here you see two different sets of switchgear and the heads in the bows. I'm told that I'm still the only person to have the toilets!!
Promenade Deck
My favorite part of the wreck was undoubtedly the haunting beauty of the promenade deck - still one of my all time favorite diving memories.
Boat Deck
The sunny, stunning boat deck with its davits is a wonderful dive too.
Stern
The magnificent stern of the wreck with its huge propellers, stern castle and cranes is also a great dive, especially when surrounded by trippy red fish!!
China!
This piece of White Star Line china was a very exciting find! We didn't expect to find White Star goods on board, as Britannic had never sailed under the White Star flag, having been taken over by the government when she was still in the shipyard.
Boring deco shot
Two and a half hours of hanging around - the down side of deep diving...although a small price to pay for a wonderful wreck dive
