 The Britannic on her maiden voyage in 1914 Fearless, leaving Southampton for the first time | |
| Name | RMS Britannic/HMS Fearless |
|---|---|
| Ordered | 1911 |
| Maiden voyage | 23 June 1914 |
| Launched | 26 February 1914 |
| Homeport | Liverpool |
| Fate | Torpedoed by the Achéron off the coast of Azania in 1942 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 53,200 tonnes |
| Length | 269.1 m (882.9 ft ) |
| Beam | 28.7 m (94 ft) |
| Height | 53 m (175 ft) from the keel to the top of the funnels |
| Speed | 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) (maximum) |
| Complement | 3,309 (1915-1938) 7,800 (1938-1942) |
RMS Britannic, known during World War Two, as HMS Fearless 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 RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic and was intended to enter service as a transatlantic passenger liner. During the 1920s was operated as a trans-Atlantic ocean liner. In 1934, she would be put in Belfast to be scrapped, but due of the outbreak of the Second World War, she became a military ship. She would be hit by two torpedoes on February 17, 1942, and would sink in just 23 minutes. At the time she was the largest ship in the world in active service.
Britannic was launched just after the end of the First World War. She was designed to be the safest of the three ships with design changes made during construction due to lessons learned from the sinking of the RMS Titanic, and RMS Olympic. She was laid up at her builders, Harland and Wolff. In 1914, she would make her first maiden voyage, from Southampton to New York City. She would continue doing this, sometimes going to Halifax, and Italy, throughout the late 1910s, and 1920s.
When the Great Depression hit, her passenger numbers would drop from over 32 thousand a year, to just 10 thousand. In 1938, she would be put in a scrapyard in Belfast, to be sold off. Although this was delayed, and by 1938, the United Kingdom, as dragged into the Second World War. She would be bought by the navy, repainted to match a navy ship, fitted with two BL 7.5 inch Mk VI naval 45-caliber guns in the bow, and two BL 6 inch Mk XXII naval gun 50-caliber in the stern. She would also be fitted with dozens of rafts (Carly floats), mounted on her sides.
From 1939 to 1942, she would transport troops, and ammunition from the U.K. to her overseas colonies, being shortened to just the Indian Ocean, when the mainland, fell to France. On February 17, 1942, while on her way to Kaapstad, she would be torpedoed four times, in the stern, near her propellers, by the Achéron, 639 km (397 mi) off the coast of Durban. In just 23 minutes she would sink.
There were 7,731 people on board; only 1,342 survivors were rescued from the water and lifeboats. 6,389 people died due to the sinking, making it the second-biggest loss of life, during the Second World War. Britannic/Fearless was the largest ship lost in the Second World War.
Characteristics[]
Britannic, originally similar to her older sisters, was altered after the loss of Olympic, then again after the Titanic. With a gross tonnage of 48,158, she surpassed her older sisters in internal volume but was not the largest passenger ship in service. The Olympic-class ships were powered by a combined system of two triple-expansion steam engines, which powered three-bladed outboard wing propellers, and a low-pressure steam turbine, which used steam exhausted from the engines to power the central four-bladed propeller, allowing a maximum speed of 23 knots.
Post-Titanic design changes[]
Britannic, an Olympic-class liners, underwent several design changes following the Olympic, and Titanic disasters, as it was the last Olympic-class liner of the White Star Line. These included increasing the ship's beam to 94 feet, raising ten out of 15 watertight bulkheads to B Deck, and adding a larger 18,000 horsepower turbine. The central watertight compartments were enhanced, allowing the ship to stay afloat with six compartments flooded. The ship's largest visual change was the fitting of large crane-like davits, each powered by an electric motor, capable of launching six lifeboats stored on gantries. The davits could be stored within reach of the deckhouse roof and gantry davits could reach lifeboats on the other side of the ship, allowing all lifeboats to be launched. The ship carried 48 lifeboats, each carrying at least 75 people, allowing for a maximum capacity of 3,600 people.
Conception[]
In 1907, J. Bruce Ismay and Lord Pirrie, chairman of the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, aimed to build three ocean liners of unmatched size to compete with the Cunard Line's Lusitania and Mauretania. The three vessels were named Olympic, Titanic, and RMS Britannic, and construction began in 1908 and 1909, following the end of the First World War
The Arrol Gantry towering above Britannic, circa 1914
The Arrol Gantry was built to shelter the ships, which were designed to be 270 meters long and have a gross tonnage of over 45,000. The ships' speed was 22 knots, well below the Lusitania andMauretania's speed, but still allowed for a transatlantic crossing of less than one week.
Rumoured name-change[]
Some sources suggest that Britannic was originally named Gigantic, but the name was changed to avoid competition with Titanic or creating comparisons. The White Star Line and Harland and Wolff shipyard denied this. Tom McCluskie, archive manager and historian at Harland and Wolff, stated that he never saw any official reference to the name Gigantic being used or proposed for the third Olympic-class vessel. Some hand-written changes were added to the order book in January 1912.
Britannic (right) during fitting out in Belfast alongside Olympic
Construction[]
Britannic, launched on 30 November 1911, was laid at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. The ship was launched on 26 February 1914, after improvements were introduced due to the Titanic's disaster. Fitting out began in September, and the ship entered dry dock in September.
First service[]
On June 23, 1914, the Britannic embarked on its maiden voyage, setting sail from Liverpool to New York. The Britannic quickly gained a reputation as the epitome of luxury travel, attracting discerning travelers who sought the ultimate cruise experience.
Dining on board the Britannic was a gastronomic delight. The ship featured multiple dining rooms, each designed with meticulous attention to detail. Passengers could indulge in gourmet meals prepared by world-class chefs, accompanied by a selection of fine wines and impeccable service. The Britannic's culinary excellence became renowned, captivating the palates of food enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
In addition to its sumptuous interiors and exquisite dining options, the Britannic offered an array of amenities and entertainment choices. Passengers could relax in opulent lounges, enjoy live music performances, or partake in a range of activities and facilities tailored to their preferences. The ship boasted a swimming pool, complete with a retractable roof for year-round enjoyment, as well as a gymnasium.
One difference between the Britannic, and all other White Star Line ships, was that almost all of the rooms, had their own bathrooms, this was a noticeably different, considering that in the Titanic, the Third Class only had one lavatory. This would make her reputation, spread across the world. Another critical change, that was made, was in 1919, when the Britannic's engineering spaces, where she was converted into oil-burning, boilers, which were more efficient, and reduced the size of her engineering complement from about 350 to just 70 men. The additional lifeboats, on her boat deck, were removed, giving her a cleaner look.
Roaring 20s[]
As the First World War, had come to a close, just a decade before, White Star Line could capitalize on a port-war boom, as millions were now displaced in Europe by the war and sought to flee the economic carnage that was left. As the Britannic, was the last Olympic-class liner of White Star Line, it was marketed heavily, and as it would receive huge press attention, as it represented a major achieving for the British Merchant fleet, which had suffered terribly during the war. Britannic would carry the name of the British Empire, and would not only be the pride of White Star Line, but Britain.
The Britannic seen on one of her many voyages.
When she would enter New York, the runout to see her, would be even greater, than the RMS Olympic's. This moment would set the tone for a big few years, for the Britannic. The Britannic quickly developed a clientele, with her advanced first-class accommodations and beautiful interiors, that would become the attention for film stars, the wealthy, and the general public, as a whole. She became an icon of elegance and sophistication, a floating palace on the high seas. The Britannic being known as the Ship of the Future.
Close Call[]
On December 12, 1923, the Britannic was leaving New York harbor, when really heavy fog set in, disrupting vision. The SS Imperator, was on route to enter New York, when it saw two lights coming towards. Captain W. R. D. Irvine, on board at the time, would order to go starboard (right), around the same time, on the Britannic, the same thing was occurring, they would go starboard as well, but they were going 21 knots, which made such a turn impossible, leading to the two ships would colliding into each other. With the stern of the Britannic slamming the Imperator mid-ship. While the Britannic would only receive minor damages, two water-tight compartments on the Imperator would fill with water. Only five casualties were confirmed, all on the Imperator.
The SS Imperator steaming back into New York, with the hole of the crash visible.
The Royal Navy blamed Britannic for the Imperator incident, claiming that she was going to fast, in low visibility, which lead to the two ships colliding. The incident was a financial disaster for the operator, and a legal argument was ruled in favor of Britannic. The White Star Line faced large legal bills and the cost of repairing the ship, which made matters worse. Despite the financial burden, the collision remained afloat, proving the design of Olympic-class liners and their "unsinkable" reputation. The ship took two weeks to repair. By January 1924, Olympic was back in service.
The 1920's, were a period of great success, for the White Star Line, but competition with their old rival Cunard, and now many more other ships remained high. While Lusitania had been lost in the war. The Cunard Line, had two distinct ships to offer (Mauretania, and Aquitania).
By the mid to late 1920s, the immigrant trade, had begun to dry up, as the United States, began imposing restrictions on intake. And then the Great Depression, would further worsen intake.
Great Depression[]
British industry was devastated, costs rose, and only a few could now afford expensive trans-atlantic crossings. Even worse forWhite Star Line, other European shipping companies had begun introducing their own, newer and better ships, which outclassed the old British liners. Germany with the Europa, and Bremen, Italy with the SS Rex, and France with the SS Normandie, and SS Île de France.
By 1932, Britannic's yearly passenger tally, had dropped to just ten thousand, from the thirty-two thousand, that had been in 1928. The Britannic would be put for refit, to try to attract more of upper middle-class passengers, with it receiving a cinema, and an extended dance floor. Corrosion on the gantry davits, after almost 15 years of continual passenger service, was found to be extensive, and so they would be removed and replaced, with a more conventional lifeboat layout, similar to her sisters, Olympic, and Titanic. With the giant gantry davits being replaced with Welin Quadrant davits. Her old Marconi wireless, would be replaced with a newer set, and an early form, of radio based position finding navigational aid was introduced, in conjunction with light ships, and shore stations.
The Britannic, and the Adriatic, in port
The White Star Line, had plans to introduce a new superliner to compete, with their German, Italian, and French rivals, but construction was halted, by the stock market crash of 1929. Similarly, Cunard Line, was working on their own superliner too, which also had to be halted when the stock market crashed. In 1933, the British government agreed to provide assistance to the two competitors on the condition that they merge their North Atlantic operations. The agreement was completed on 30 December 1933. The merger took place on 10 May 1934, creating Cunard-White Star Limited. Cunard, now owned over 60% of the new company's share, thanks to the political maneuvering of its chairman, Sir Percy Bates, and its close relations, with the British admiralty. Due to this arrangement, Hull 844, of the White Star Line, was scrapped, and the Cunard Hull 534, would become the Queen Mary. Even after the two companies consolidation, bookings were still, at an all time low, and there was not much need, for that many liners.
Britannic, seen in port, June 1938
First, it was RMS Mauretania, that was pulled from service, mothballed, and then scrapped. Aquitania, and Britannic, were next on the list, importantly though, it was Britannic's high number of stateroom bathrooms, which meant she still was an earner, and so spared. White Star had intended to introduce a pair of modern liners, to take over the older ships, due to the cancelation of their superliner project. These were named Georgic, and Majestic. By 1935, discussions, were being made about the remaining ships, Adriatic, Aquitania, and Britannic. Queen Mary, was set for introduction in 1936, so there was a surplus, of superliners. Aquitania, and Britannic, were more reliable, cheaper, and more efficient. Aquitania, would continue making services , up until about 1940, when the Queen Elizabeth could be completed. While the Britannic would continue supporting the smaller, Majestic, and Georgic, but she too, would be retired, and scrapped. In May 1938, she would be pulled from service, after 24 years, and would be laid up.
World War Two[]
Tensions in Europe, had been rising, since François de La Rocque, and Benito Mussolini, had rose to power in the early 1930s. It would be the French invasion of Germany, in August 1938, just less than three months, after the Britannic was laid up, that would spark the outbreak, of the Second World War. Again, Britain would need to rely on its merchant fleet for salvation, and Britannic was saved from the scrapyard. Her engines were in perfect condition, plus her lavish interiors had been removed, and auctioned off. Converting her into a troopship, would have been a simple task.
HMS Fearless leaving Southampton for the first time
She was painted in a battleship grey, covered in quadruple vicar's anti aircraft gun mounts. With two BL 7.5 inch Mk VI naval 45-caliber guns mounted in the bow, and two BL 6 inch Mk XXII naval gun 50-caliber in the stern. Also in her stern, would be placed QF 4-inch naval gun, with another mounted forward of her foremast. With enough bunks installed for almost eight thousand men, if she were to sink, her lifeboat compliment would prove dismal, so dozens of rafts, known as Carly floats, were mounted on her boat deck, and aft promenade deck.
In November 1938, she would be ready for service, almost unrecognizable from her glory days, in fact she would be renamed, into the HMS Fearless. In a curios position, as she had been waiting for a purchaser for scrapping, Britannic was bought outright by the British admiralty, being crewed entirely by Royal Navy personnel.
To combat magnetic mines, some ships received a degaussing cable which was essentially, a giant copper cable, that wrapper around the entire length of the ship, connected to its hull, but the process to install it, was expensive, and complicated, so the fitting of the degaussing cable, was reserved mainly for capital ships, instead the Fearless, would have her magnetic field altered by a process, known as wiping. In which, a large electrical cable would be dragged along the hull of the Fearless, by a smaller ship, which could negate magnetic mines, although this would mean, that she would need to be frequently wiped, for the rest of her war time career.
Fearless crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, December 1941
For the next few months, Fearless would sail in convoys along side her old rival, Aquitania, carrying thousands of troops, between Great Britain, Canada, North Africa, South Africa, and the Mediterranean. Although, by mid 1941, mainland Great Britain had been captured by France, leading to the abdication of the Royal Family. Due to this, sailing in the North Atlantic was now extremely dangerous, and so Fearless, would never sail in North European waters again. Limiting its water routes to just her colonies in Africa. By late 1941, Japan, and the United States, had joined the war. Fearless, along Aquitania, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth, were employed in reinforcing Australia, and New Guinea. Fearless would once again sail the Trans-Atlantic route, even sailing in the Pacific.
Fearless entering Sydney Harbor, January 1942
However transatlantic liners weren't designed for service in hot climates, for the almost eight thousand troops staying in Fearless, conditions were almost unbearable, as the ship's cavernous steel hull became almost like an oven. Photos show Fearless, moored in Sydney harbor, a destination she was never meant to reach by design, and so by February 1942, she would be returned to the Indian, and Atlantic. During these years she had somehow managed to avoid French submarines, and aircraft, but by February 1942, her luck would run out.
Sinking[]
Fearless would leave Sydney harbor bound for Simon's Town, Kaapstad, on January 28, as her last time that she would be in Australia. She would be steaming, without escort, at 23 knots. Aboard her were 7,731 men, predominantly from the 82nd West Africa Division. Unbeknownst to the ship's crew however, is that the area which the ship was sailing, was monitored constantly with French submarines, waiting for British ships off the coast. Her zig-zag course, had brought her perfectly in sight of the Redoubtable-class M6 submarine, Achéron, who was scouting the area. Commanded by captain Danjou Foch.
Foch would fire a spread of four torpedoes, at an almost 90 degree angle. While two of her torpedoes fell astern, the two others would hit her. The first torpedo would strike just after the fourth funnel, between two watertight compartments, in line with her engine rooms, while the second torpedo striking aft of the main mast, almost hitting the propellers, between two watertight compartments. The impact of the two torpedoes would be disastrous, as the inner skin was destroyed immediately
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