HMHS Britannic was the third and final vessel of the White Star Line's Olympic class of steamships and the second White Star ship to bear the name Britannic. She was the youngest sister of the RMS Olympic and the RMS Titanic and was intended to enter service as a transatlantic passenger liner. She was operated as a hospital ship from 1915 until her sinking near the Greek island of Kea, in the Aegean Sea, in November 1916. At the time she was the largest hospital ship in the world.
His Majesty's Hospital Ship (HMHS) Britannic
An artist's conception of Britannic in her intended White Star livery
The Arrol Gantry towering above Britannic, circa 1914
One of Britannic's funnels being transported to Harland & Wolff shipyards
The White Star Line was a British shipping line. Founded out of the remains of a defunct packet company, it gradually rose up to become one of the most prominent shipping companies in the world, providing passenger and cargo services between the British Empire and the United States. While many other shipping lines focused primarily on speed, White Star branded their services by focusing more on providing comfortable passages for both upper class travellers and immigrants.
The sinking of the Tayleur was the first experienced by the company
Thomas Ismay
Oceanic of 1870, (3,707 GRT)
Adriatic of 1871, (3,888 GRT)