Britannic operation recovers host of artefactsMore than a century after the mighty ocean liner HMHS Britannic sank in the Aegean Sea after hitting a mine, a complex operation involving a team of highly trained technical divers has recovered a host of artefacts, including the ship’s lookout bell, binoculars, ceramic tiles from the Turkish baths, items from the first and second class cabins, and a portside navigation lamp. The dives were carried out back in May, but have only just been made public by the Greek culture ministry. The recovered artefacts were secured in containers and cleaned of marine organisms, before being transferred to the laboratories of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities in Athens, where specialised conservation work will continue. A pair of binoculars were among the artefacts recovered from the BritannicIt is planned for the recovered artefacts to eventually go on display at the new National Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus. Over the past 15 years, access to the Britannic has been highly restricted, and during that period, two divers have tragically lost their lives.