The Britannic, sister to The Titanic, Hits Mine & Sinks in WW1
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 чер 2024
- The Britannic, sister to The Titanic, hit a mine in WW1
Despite lying in only 400 feet of water, compared to the Titanic at 12,500 feet, her story has been forgotten.
Join my Membership Channel to get exclusive videos (& more)
/ @thehistorychap
Get My FREE Weekly Newsletter
www.thehistorychap.com
#thesinkingofthebritannic #hmhsbritannic #titanicsistership
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:47 Titanic Sister Ship
2:23 Requisitioned
3:41 Hospital Ship
4:26 First Voyage
5:09 Netley Hospital
5:51 More Voyages
6:49 The Salonika Front
7:43 Final Voyage
8:59 Explosion
10:13 Starts To Sink
11:01 Propellor Tragedy
12:06 Abandon Ship
13:03 Survivors
16:11 Britannic Wreck
17:49 Conclusion
19:17 The History Chap
Follow me at:
www.thehistorychap.com
Instagram:bit.ly/3iySrAj
Facebook:bit.ly/37IUfkH
/ thehistorychap
My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or UA-cam animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Violet Jessop not only survived both the Titanic and Britannic sinkings, but she was also onboard the Olympic when she was struck by the HMS Hawke off the Isle of Wight in September 1911. A grand lady who never let disaster get in the way of her love of the sea.
Thanks for sharing.
So was John Priest.
If I got aboard a ship and saw Jessop I’d get off lol
@@aa64912 Don't. Stay close to her. Don't let her out of you're sight. You'll be alright then, she only sank 2 ships and damaged another. If this Priest guy was on my boat, then yes, I'd jump ship.
@@nicofolkersma2535 Nifty. Give that man a Like.
Violet Jessop and Arthur John Priest were also aboard the Olympic on her fifth voyage on 20 September 1911 when she turned across the bow of the British cruiser HMS Hawke. Hawke had a ram bow which was designed to sink enemy warships by ramming. So when she collided with Olympic's starboard side near the stern she tore two large holes in Olympic's hull, above and below the waterline, resulting in the flooding of two of her watertight compartments and a twisted propeller shaft. In command of the Olympic that day was captain Edward John Smith who was captain of the Titanic.
Thanks for taking the time to add that information.
An amazing story of the tragic tale of the history of the White Star Line, the sinking of the Britanic deserves to be told. I honestly think you should do a story about the Unsinkable Stoker, it would have all the elements of a great story. I cannot imagine surviving three sinkings of ships in your lifetime, one would be enough. Kudos to you for bringing history to life and reminding us history is connected to each and every one of us personally ❤
Stoker Priest actually survived 4 sinkings, which is bonkers!
@@TheHistoryChap That is right up there with the guy who survived the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
After surviving for sinkings, I I would be afraid to take a shower or bath without having the proper safety gear. 😅 LOL
Yes please tell the story of the Unsinkable Stoker
Hello, sir. Thank you for telling the story of the Britannic. I was fascinated by the story of Titanic and her sister ships growing up. It was nice to see her spoken of again.
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.
Excellent tale. Never knew the Brittanic didn't carry a fare paying passenger, I had always imagined she'd plied her transatlantic trade before WW1 like her sisters.
As for another story the Salonika campaign would be great, it's one I have no knowledge about.
Yes Tony, if not a shocker it was an eye opener, that she had never carried a fare paying passenger. And agree with you about Salonka, a campaign about which I know nothing.
Lots of calls for a video on the Salonika front so it will be coming.
@@TheHistoryChap Excellent, looking forward to it Chris.
I also had a family connection to the titanic. My grandmothers first husband was also a stoker from Southampton who unlike Stoker Priest, died. According to family lore, he was the last crew member to board via climbing aboard a mooring rope after additional stokers were called for. Additional stokers were needed as there was a fire in one of the coal bunkers, which could have weakened the hull plates, and was also a reason Titanic was steaming so fast in order to arrive before the coal ran out. I would recommend a visit to Netley hospital chapel, which is fascinating.
Thanks for sharing about your grandmother's first husband and also your recommendation to visit Netley hospital chapel.
There's actually an additional "fact" which is possibly relevant to the Titanic story. As far as I'm aware, no one has ever considered... During WW2 a number of the Liberty ships on the Murmansk / Archangel run suffered cracked hulls and were repaired by having huge beams welded along their length to prevent the ship breaking in two.
The cause was ascribed to the freezing waters making the steel brittle.
It's well known that the Titanic collided with an iceberg and recent investigations have revealed a coal bunker fire precisely at the point of impact. And, as you have correctly noted, the only way to empty a coal bunker is to shovel the coal into the boilers hence the speed.
I'm not a historian nor an engineer but, I can't help but wonder what part the freezing water played in the sinking.
Nothing comes close to your writing and presentation, Chris. Each of your videos is, for me, an invaluable lesson. Thank you so much.
You're very welcome!
Filled with good stories as usual. The way the victims died was horrific but the stories of the survivors were pure amazing!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent Storytelling as usual, Chap! Your dedication is evident!!!!
Very kind of you.
Absolutely amazing, thanks again for your hard work!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Tremendous production! Thanks
Thank you for watching.
Absolutely fascinating. I was always aware of the fate of the Britannic but nothing like the detail as I have learnt today. Yet another splendidly compelling and informative episode which does you tremendous credit 👍🍀🍻
Thanks for watching.
Hi Chris, Very interesting story very enjoyable to watch.
I've walked round the site of a the Netley Hospital a few times as my sister lives just round the corner, its enormous (I seem to remember travelling on the little railway there as well).
Interesting to see the Lusitania being mentioned, perhaps a subject for another video. A distant relative of my father was onboard and didnt survive.
The other ship of the Olympic class was eventually scrapped in 1937. Shipbuilding is returning to Harland and Wolffe as the contract has been placed for the new RFA ships, built by a consortium involving Spanish National shipbuilder Navantia.
Have a great week end and good luck from Spain!!
Lusitania is on my list. The sinking is a great story but so were the ensuing anti-German riots in her home port of Liverpool.
Great stuff, beautifully presented as usual.
Very kind words, thank you.
Another great presentation. 😊
Thank you.
Another enjoyable video as always.
Glad you enjoyed it
Wonderful presentation!!
Thank you.
Great narration, thanks!
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed.
An excellent piece Chris, keep up the good work fella !!
Many thanks!
Brilliant video. Great work. Very well done.
Many thanks!
Great story. Thank you for posting.
Glad you liked it.
Thanks so much Chris
My pleasure. Thanks fro watching.
Interesting history... Good work..
thx again, Chris.
My pleasure!
Excellent Video Thank You, I have watched others of yours, but this is my Favourite Now. :-)
That's wonderful. Thanks fro watching.
Another fascinating story - as usual well done 👍
Thanks
Brilliant and very very interesting. Thank you.
My pleasure.
There was a lot more detail here than I had previously heard regarding this incident. Many thanks. It was very interesting!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Another great analysis...
Thank you.
John Priest. There's a film opportunity right there.
Thanks for these videos. The narrative and narration are both faultless, IMO.
Very underrated YT channel.
Hoping to get more viewers but happy making them and entertaining people like your good self.
I love hearing the personal stories. The photos really give a meaning to our history which could be lost forever. Wonderful stuff. To go to a grave site to give reasons to the sinking I find it important work for safe maritime vessels. Especially now we have floating cities too top heavy on the high seas.
Thanks for watching and for taking the time to post a comment too.
Fascinating story, thank you.
My pleasure.
Well done!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Simply amazing story, great history lesson from the history chap.
what a nickname the unsinkable stoker 👍🏻 definitely sounds like a mine hit.
Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it.
Once again you have. given us a very interesting and most informative video.
This OLD MAN from the U.S A.truliy enjoys all of your videos. Thank you for the time spent puting these videos together.
Thanks for your support.
Fascinating,thanks for telling the tale.
My pleasure.
Well done! Fascinating! The British in the middle east during WW1 would be a great topic to cover. Enjoying the channel from the states on July 4th! 🇺🇸
Happy July 4th!
I’ve heard of this ship. Thanks for the great vid
Thanks for watching.
Very well written and told
Thanks for watching.
Another fascinating story, expertly told!
Very kind of you. Thanks.
Hi , an Interesting story, full of surprises! That boiler man did so well ... Thank you for your work 🙏 😃👍🏴
Glad you enjoyed it
Excellent coverage of the history of the Britannic, Chris. I'd like to see a show on Gallipoli, the eastern front of WW1 is not covered as much as the western front by most documentaries.
I totally agree. All about the western front.
@@TheHistoryChap ANZAC day a big deal down under
Fascinating story and sub stories, thanks. A video on Gallipoli would be brilliant if you could, stay well and have a great weekend.
Gallipoli on the cards. Just need to work out how to share the stories without going into too much detail.
Two interesting things.
One, the Britannic's organ can be found in a museum in Switzerland (yes, she was going to have a pipe organ!)
Two, the White Star Line was compensated by receiving a vessel which was renamed the RMS Majestic which plowed the seas during the interwar years.
Thanks for sharing
I knew that the B sank too but didn't know the story. O was entirely off my radar. Excellent, as ever. Thanks!
Glad you found it interesting.
Thank you for this very interesting video. I would welcome more information on the Salonika Front.
I will add the Salonika Front to my list. Watch this space!
@@TheHistoryChap I look forward to it. Thank you.
A video on the salonika front would be interesting 👍🏻
Thanks for the vote.
Chris my favorite historian, a very good one today like always! Gallipoli was'nt the best idea of Churchill I'm afraid .I hadn't never set a step in just a small boat after the first sinking ! Best regards from Northern Germany Ludwig.
I am surprised that the Royal Navy allowed the White Star Line to refit as a luxury liner mid war.
Also, I would be very interested in learning about Netley Hospital.
Once again, a fine video, well narrated and jolly interesting.
Thanks for the vote for Netley Hospital.
@@TheHistoryChap you're welcome old chap.
Sorry about the old bit.
Great episode. An episode about the military hospital would be great....otherwise we'll never learn about it anywhere else 👍
Netley Hospital will go on my list. Please sign up for my Supporter's Club so you don't miss it.
Funny thing is that the Britannic's length is longer than the depth of the sea she went down in.
I enjoy this history channel, it reminds me of the English History class I took way back in college (including the accent).😊
Not sure if you’re aware of the S-5 submarine that sank in a similar situation. In that case they were able to raise the stern above the surface and eventually, using a hand drill, made a hole big enough to use a pole to attract attention to their situation. Pretty incredible story and there’s a few videos about it.
I hadn't thought of it like that. You're right.
Instead of doing a talk on just the Netley Hospital why don't you do a series on British Military Hospitals through the UK. Maybe even include the Chelsea Soldiers Retirement Home, that would definitely be interesting.
Great idea. Not sure one video would do them all justice.
Imagine the feeling of horror when working in a boiler room and a certain Mr John Priest introduces himself to you.
Chuckling!
I am german. About twenty years ago, one of my aunts was in Hospital. One day a dark haired man with a long beard accidently entered her room and addressed (?) himself: Ich bin der Pfarrer Teufel! ( I am the priest Devil!) . Teufel/ Devil is a name, some people in my homeregion have.
Thank you for a great video.
An idea for another video, how about doing Britannia’s sister Olympic and her war record. 😉🇬🇧🇺🇦
Salonika campaign would be great, l have no knowledge of this event until you mentioned it.
That says it all...totally forgotten campaign.
Yet another fascinating true story from history. Thank you for all your hard work in producing these gems 💎
My pleasure. Have a great weekend.
@@TheHistoryChap i will do now we've tied down James Maddison! 😁 COYS
Great Story. "Unsinkable Stoker". Enjoy these stories. Did U-73 ever get the 'Credit'? Thank you.
Not sure U-73 got the credit.
I learned from the Malta RAMC website that my grandmother sailed to Malta on the Britannic's penultimate voyage. She then travelled on to Salonica.
Family tradition has it that, following the Britannic's sinking, she was assigned to HMHS Gruntuly Castle. "Her first site of her future husband was of a tall officer trying to get a squiz of her ankles as she went up the brow." They were married in Malta. The war then separated them. She, back to Salonika and my grandfather, to become eventually CMO of Netley Hospital.
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your family story.
Another interesting topic. Where do you find them all? 🙂
Can you imagine getting stuck in an elevator with me?
@@TheHistoryChap Certainly not an elevator, but maybe a lift 🙂.
She is on my bucket list for diving when I get a rebreather
Very well preserved by all accounts.
Have you done a video on the sinking of the White Star Line's transatlantic liner, the RMS Republic?
This was a few years before "Titanic" and is notable because (a) it was the first ship to send a distress signal by radio (before SOS sent by "Titanic" became the standard distress signal) and (b) because the radio operator was a hero and, together with the captain, was one of the last to leave the ship and (c) was to have been the radio operator on the "Titanic"'s maiden voyage but was replaced at the last minute by Jack Phillips and (d) was carrying a mysterious and unexplained cargo which seemed to be taking priority over the evacuation of the passengers.
Like the "Britannic" sinking, it has been overshadowed by the "Titanic" tragedy with which it shares similarities and contrasts but is a story worth hearing in its own right.
Sir I did not simply enjoy your presentation. I Thoroughly enjoyed your brilliant video lecture on the Britannic . And a video lecture on the Solinika (Macedonian)front would be greatly appreciated. Once again thank you! Oh I almost forgot...may I have more please!
So glad you enjoyed it. The Salonika Front is fascinating and totally forgotten in British stories about WW1.
@@TheHistoryChap then bye all means do rectify the situation. And I eagerly await your next video lecture on the subject.
I wonder if John Priest was the inspiration for Uncle Albert of 'Only Fools and Horses' fame. Sad that he went through all that and died so young. Thanks for uploading.
Who knows? Thanks for watching and for posing your question.
Subbed ... I enjoyed the story about the guy who survived 3 sinkings... he didn't go to sea again - lol !
Thank you for your support
My grandad served in Salonika, spent many years in hospital after his return.
Thanks for sharing.
good story
Thank you! 🙂
As a little added bit to this story (though I'm not 100% sure if this is true since I can't remember where I heard it) Cunard Line had a similar ship to Britannic named Aquitania which was the half-sistership of the Mauretania and Lusitania and was launched not long before the war began.
She along with Mauretania served as in WW1 as a hospital ship then a troopship before returning to civilian service. Both ships had successful careers afterwards but Aquitania would become significant for also serving in WW2 along with ships such as Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth making her, I believe, the only liner to serve in both world wars. After the war ended she helped repatriate heros before finally being scrapped in 1950.
The entire story could have been different though, as she was originally rostered on the journey that became Britannic's final voyage. And perhaps we could be sitting here today. Talking about the likely very successful Britannic, and the entirely forgotten Aquitania.
Nice story. Thanks for sharing
I love this story. My great uncle, John Bilston died at Gallipoli, and a young soldier, called James Finn,also died there, posthumously receiving the Victoria Cross. He was a Salvationist from Cornwall.
How very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
@@TheHistoryChap you're welcome
I once DJed a celebrity gig at the famous Cafe de Paris in London it was on the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic this was 1998 I recall and the night was called ‘Last Dance on the Titanic’ …. so many celebs, Hugh Laurie, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Anita Pallenberg, Marianne Faithfull, Ronnie Wood, David Bowie, Liv Tyler, Steve Coogan, and even Roy Ward Baker who had directed the film 1958 A Night to Remember! I remember someone saying at the time the Cafe de Paris had designed the dance floor on the ballroom of the sister ship of Titanic, the RMS Olympic. (1911-1935) although I’ve never found any reference since confirming this. Some of the Olympics actual fixtures & fittings ended up at the White Swan Hotel Alnwick inc grand staircase after the ship’s break up in 1937.
Wow, what a great story. Thanks for sharing.
You are correct about one of the Olympic's salons ending up in the hotel in Alnwick. It's on my list of places to get to.
@@TheHistoryChap yes I’m keen to visit now too! I was wondering too if the story of The Empire Windrush ship might make a great video given it’s fascinating history
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMT_Empire_Windrush?wprov=sfti1
Excellent thanks I recall reading that the nurse who survived the Titanic actually hit her head escaping the propellers ?? I wonder if they would have made that island in time ?? Thanks
That would be Violet Jessop, she was on the Olympic when it suffered a collision with HMS Hawk, the Sinking of Rms Titanic, and the Sinking of HMHS Britannic she was serving as a Volunteer Nurse on board the ship. She suffered a sight skull fracture, but was Thankfully pulled into a lifeboat.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I should note that ships of that era were part funded by the Admiralty with the intention that they could be taken up for military use in time of war. As such they had additional features (such as hard points to mount deck guns etc). I'm not sure whether the Titanic Class fell into this category although the ease that the admiralty seconded Britannic would indicate so.
Also I understand that the original name for the ship was Gigantic but changed after the Titanic disaster.
Thanks for sharing.
The Titanic class of ships built for the White Star Line were not funded by the Admiralty, unlike the Cunard ships.
Super. And Salonica front? What about 10th (Irish) division and their battle in Octobar of 1915 against ten times larger Bulgarian foes?
That sounds like a fantastic story. I will add to my list. Thanks for the suggestion.
That stoker was clearly a jinx. Bet his shipmates called him Jonah 🙂
Thanks for watching.
My Grandfather was with the 5th east lancs at Gallipoli. He took two rounds in the chest, they went straight through a silver cigarette case and two bf postcards which my mother showed me.
Anyway, his cousin serving in the field ambulance was on the way there on the Royal Edward when it was torpedoed in the Aegean.
Apparently he was last seen offering assistance to an officer.
Thanks for sharing those two poignant stories from your family. I also lost a relative to a German sea mine. Irony was that he was on a minesweeper!
The Salonika front is a mystery to many of us.
You can fix that.
On my hit list
So many people want to dive to see the Titanic, yet the Britannic is much more accesible. I wonder why?
On a different note. Mines from both world wars are a hazard to shipping to this day. Some are on routes which are not properly mapped, but many have broken loose and are even more hazardous.
Interesting point that mines are still a hazard.
Great story, but I found the title a little misleading. Yes it was a German mine that did the damage, but if the British nurses had obeyed the standing orders ( as told in at least 1 documentary ) that portholes should only be opened at port, the story might be different.
Thanks for watching.
@@TheHistoryChap You're welcome. Are you going to do a piece on thr other sister, the RMS Olympic ? Seems like she had quite the carreer and a habbit of smashing aside any ship that stood in her path, including a submarine. Or the battle of May island in 1918. Or the K-class subs in general. Just a few ideas.
A stoker getting out the bowels of a sinking ship once is a miracle, but twice is ridiculous. And he did it three times.
Really that should be remembered if just for the low, low odds.
**edit** Four! Four times! Stokers are not by a handy door out.
He must've been the guy who invented Nike trainers.
A pretty amazing bloke!
The Olympic however went on to have a wonderful career and remains the only passenger liner to sink an enemy ship.
Indeed. Need to have dinner in the hotel in Alnwick which is decked out in some of her interior.
@@TheHistoryChap I've eaten there. It's wonderful. The smell of the wood is amazing. The windows and lots of other pieces of the grand staircase and other items are in there as well.
Don’t forget the other forgotten ship of the era. The HMS Hysteric
Thanks for sharing.
You get the feeling there was a curse somewhere.
PS Never knew what Alan Brooke meant by Salonika supporters. Thanks.
Thanks for watching and for commenting too.
👍👍👍
Thanks
Well done, old boy...
Thank you.
I went to Harland and wolf shipyard in belfast where the 3 ships were built back in February the slipway where the ships slipped down into the Belfast lough the Titanic is marked out in concrete when you see this the ships dont look that long at all compared to books and films.
Heres another fact not mentioned there was going to be 4 ships the 4th ship was going to be called R.M.S Gigantic but this never happened inlight of the Titanic disaster it was considered badluck.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Nooo Britannic Never was go to be called Gigantic that theory is fake.Britannic was al ready called Britannic before Titanic left Belfast
Fit outs and re fit outs and a further fitout, painting the ship, repainting it and then painting it again....not much has changed when it comes to government spending....I wonder which politicians had businesses that made a little profit out of this (a bit like Halliburton).
Interesting observation. Thanks for sharing.
Britannic was biggest ship Sank in world war one biggest ship Sank by Naval mine and Biggest ocean liner on the sea floor
Thanks for sharing.
Laying mines in open waters should have been a war crime.
Operating a ship in known mined waters without minesweepers is criminally negligent
@@flyingsword135 Is negligence a crime...?
And did Britannic sail into a known mine field...?
@@flyingsword135 Greece and Greek waters were not a war zone in 1916. So according to the 1907 Hague Convention it was an illegal act. But the Germans have never been bothered by legality.
I was warfare and by then the Greeks were, to all intents and purposes, in the war.
@@Lassisvulgaris : Yes.
If you ever made video about Gallipoli I would like to contribute as family was involved both on Turkish and british side and almost fighting each other in the August battles. Not realising that the two families would unite in marriage 50 years later. If you have an email adress that you use I can send you some documents to look over. By the way I am a Fan of your channel. Kind regards.
Drop me a line via my website www.thehistorychap.com
I wouldn't think a U-boat Capt. Would fire torpedoes on a hospital ship, friend or foe. Maybe the next war would be different. I would think sea mines myself. Also that poor coal stoker, I bet he did to go back to sea, he probably though he was living on borrowed time as it was. The crew and hospital staff did an excellent job and they should definitely be memorialized. Ok so we've had Titanic, and Britannic, what of the Olympic?
The Olympic was also requisitioned. She served as a troop ship and then later as a hospital ship. She survived the war.
Did the Britannic have a cargo of ammunition, like the Lusitania?
Hospital ships are not allowed to carry munnitions. Lusitania was NOT a hospital ship, and therefore a legal tatget (just like Wilhelm Gustloff). In addition, Germany had issued a warning that all ships in UK waters would be sunk....
No. Just a simple (if very large) hospital ship. Hence the red crosses on the side to avoid another Lusitania moment.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to the question. You got there before me!
I feel that being British must often be bittersweet...
And thats before we get into sport!
That stoker, Priest must have been seen as a Jonah by his fellow seamen. they are reputed to be superstitious. Sounds a bit like Del Boy's Uncle Albert.
I hadn't though of him as Uncle Albert, yikes!
Britannic is now much more Famous before
I think her sister ship is slightly more famous. Ask most people in the street about The Britannic. They won't have a clue.
Also known as the Sinkanic Class.
Thanks for sharing.
John Priest might have thought he would not be drowned.....but! He died of pneumonia which of course is when your lungs fill with liquid💀
Interesting twist. Thanks for sharing.
They Will raise Britannic artifacts
Hope not.
I know the Olympic the Titanic and the Britannic and I know all of them why they sank
Excellent.
Obviously violet had someone watching over her to survive 3sinkings
I guess she did.
Those who go down to the sea in ships
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Thank goodness so few perished, at least the lifeboat lesson had been learned, i reckon it was a mine, in clear broad daylight it couldn't have been mistaken for anything other than a hospital ship, i dont think a first world war u boat captain would have deliberately fired on the Britannic.
Dominion forces? You mean imperial auxiliaries surely, lol! Nothing wrong with trying to make the world England, im immensely proud of the British empire as unfashionable as that might be, a lot of honest ,ordinary, humble people doing their Christian duty everyday, tirelessly, what a weak & indulgent people we have become.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.