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Exploring the Britannic: The life, last voyage and wreck of Titanic's tragic twin
A revelatory and wide-ranging exploration of HMS Britannic-- her life at sea and on the seabed--by the owner of her wreck.
Launched in 1914, two years after the ill-fated voyage of her sister ship, RMS Titanic , the Britannic was intended to be superior to her tragic twin in every way. But war intervened and in 1915 she was requisitioned as a hospital ship. Just one year later, while on her way to collect troops wounded in the Balkans campaign, she fell victim to a mine laid by a German U-boat and tragically sank in the middle of the Aegean Sea.
There her wreck lay, at a depth of 400 feet, until it was discovered 59 years later by legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau. In 1996 the wreck was bought by the author of this book, Simon Mills.
Exploring the Britannic tells the complete story of this enigmatic her construction, launch and life, her fateful last voyage, and the historical findings resulting from the exploration of the well-preserved wreck over a period of 40 years. With remarkable sonar scans and many never before seen photographs of the wreck, plus fold-out sections of the original Harland & Wolff ship plans, not previously published in their entirety, Exploring the Britannic finally details how the mysteries surrounding the 100-year-old enigma were laid to rest, and what the future might also hold for her.
Launched in 1914, two years after the ill-fated voyage of her sister ship, RMS Titanic , the Britannic was intended to be superior to her tragic twin in every way. But war intervened and in 1915 she was requisitioned as a hospital ship. Just one year later, while on her way to collect troops wounded in the Balkans campaign, she fell victim to a mine laid by a German U-boat and tragically sank in the middle of the Aegean Sea.
There her wreck lay, at a depth of 400 feet, until it was discovered 59 years later by legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau. In 1996 the wreck was bought by the author of this book, Simon Mills.
Exploring the Britannic tells the complete story of this enigmatic her construction, launch and life, her fateful last voyage, and the historical findings resulting from the exploration of the well-preserved wreck over a period of 40 years. With remarkable sonar scans and many never before seen photographs of the wreck, plus fold-out sections of the original Harland & Wolff ship plans, not previously published in their entirety, Exploring the Britannic finally details how the mysteries surrounding the 100-year-old enigma were laid to rest, and what the future might also hold for her.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published March 12, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 4, 2020
Utterly fascinating in all honesty
May 5, 2020
The book has several excellent photographs and reasonably comprehensive accounts of each voyage out to the Mediterranean theatre undertaken by HMHS Britannic, the last of the Olympic-class White Star liners. Mills bought the wreck nearly 25 years ago, and has been granting permission for divers to explore it ever since. In 2009 one of his colleagues died doing so. Mills was devastated by the loss, and shied away from Britannic until fairly recently. These days it seems as though ROVs are doing the work. However, Mills' teams were able to penetrate far enough into the hulk to discover several open water-tight doors. Other discoveries included concrete evidence that the ship was doomed by a mine as opposed to a torpedo. Mills' work has provided a much clearer image of the sinking as well.
That being said, there is a lot here about the particular trials and tribulations of owning an enormous wreck. Mills never truly explains his obsession with Britannic. Perhaps he (wisely) assumes that anyone who purchases this book already shares it. Nevertheless, the whinging does get a little tedious, although not enough to spoil the manifold pleasures contained in it.
For those whose shelves are already filled with books about ocean liners.
That being said, there is a lot here about the particular trials and tribulations of owning an enormous wreck. Mills never truly explains his obsession with Britannic. Perhaps he (wisely) assumes that anyone who purchases this book already shares it. Nevertheless, the whinging does get a little tedious, although not enough to spoil the manifold pleasures contained in it.
For those whose shelves are already filled with books about ocean liners.
April 22, 2023
Having known little about Titanic 's sisters, I found this book about her little sister interesting. It did deal a lot on the personal level of the author since he owns the wreck and he talks a lot about his dealings with governments and getting expeditions together wasnt the info I was looking for but he provide a lot of information about the ship, and her history too. So over all I like the book.
January 11, 2020
This is a great companion book for anyone who is fascinated with the Titanic and other shipwrecks. The Britannic just happens to be the sister ship of the Titanic and also has a story that ends in tragedy.
This well written and I love all the detailed accompanying photos. This was well researched and I highly recommend it.
This well written and I love all the detailed accompanying photos. This was well researched and I highly recommend it.
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June 18, 2019Very useful and up to date work on Titanic's forgotten sister and well worth adding to your library.
December 27, 2022
I read this right before Covid hit. The copy I read was a library copy. I just ordered this book, and will write a full review when I read it a second time.
12/27/2022. This book holds up extremely well the second time through. Love the rare historical photographs and accounts of folks who sailed on this doomed ship. Tales of the sinking and the political and military climate of the Era are well handled.
Book is well edited and reads very well.
More thoughts to follow.
12/27/2022. This book holds up extremely well the second time through. Love the rare historical photographs and accounts of folks who sailed on this doomed ship. Tales of the sinking and the political and military climate of the Era are well handled.
Book is well edited and reads very well.
More thoughts to follow.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews