HMHS 'Britannic' wreck may be turned into a diving park

One of the most famous wrecks – English HMHS “Britannic” may soon be turned into a theme park dedicated to divers. The developers expect that the profits from the investment will quickly pay off and the new attraction will become an ideal economic solution for the whole region, in times of financial crisis that Greece is facing.

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In October, at a press conference specially organised by the Greek authorities, it was announced that a group consisting of oceanographers, experts, divers, as well as relatives of the crew of HMHS “Britannic”, will discuss the future of the wreck. Unofficial information says that the first results of such talks may be announced on the 100th anniversary of the shipwreck – November 21, 2016.

“Britannic” was the third and final Olympic class vessel. Like her two predecessors, “Titanic” and “Olympic”, she was also built for the White Star Line by the Belfast-based shipyard of Harland and Wolf. Interestingly, the ship’s original name was RMS “Gigantic”, but after the “Titanic” disaster in 1912, a more subdued variant was decided upon.

The ocean liner was commissioned the day before Christmas Eve – 23 December 1915. Before the construction was completed, the ship was designated as a hospital ship (just like “Olympic”) – His Majesty Hospital Ship. During her service “Britannic” took part in six voyages. The last one started on 12 November 1916 and was interrupted 9 days later at 8:12, when the ship ran into a mine laid by the German submarine SM U-73.

The liner, which had been converted into a hospital ship, sank in just 55 minutes. Of the approximately 1,065 people on board, only 30 perished. Adequate numbers of lifeboats, proximity to land and the warm waters of the Aegean Sea had a significant impact on this low number of casualties. The wreck was located at a depth of ~130 metres in 1975, by the legendary explorer and discoverer – Jaques Yves Cousteau.

A remarkable curiosity that links all three Olympic class ships is the person of Violet Jessop. She served as a nurse and stewardess and… survived both the Titanic disaster in 1912 and the Britannic disaster in 1916. It is hard to believe, but she was also on the RMS ‘Olympic’ when it was about to sink. Fortunately, this time fate spared the last of White Star Line’s big sisters and her passengers.

Source: independent.co.uk