Mark Chirnside
Member
Britannic enthusiasts’ reconstruction of 1916 enquiry into her sinking, including only November 1916 accounts, Not later accounts.
A more detailed report… It’s incomplete… Contributions welcome.
What was the speed of the Britannic shortly before and at the moment of the casualty? Was such speed excessive under the circumstances?
The speed was around 20 knots, the maximum speed permissible for operation in coastal waters, which was not excessive.
What was the nature of the casualty which happened to the Britannic at or about 8 a.m. on November 21st 1916?
An explosion occurred on the starboard bow, causing the vessel to move three points to port. Holds 2 and 3 flooded immediately, while hold 1 began flooding either through the firemen’s tunnel or the bulkhead leading to number 2 hold. The watertight door to the firemen’s tunnel leading to number 6 boiler room did not close, causing this space to flood, while the watertight door to boiler room 5 partly closed, allowing water to flood into this space. The vessel was designed to float with such damage.
What steps were taken immediately on the happening of the casualty? How long after the casualty was its seriousness realised by those in charge of the vessel? What steps were then taken? What endeavours were made to save the lives of those on board and to prevent the vessel from sinking?
Captain Bartlett ordered the engines stopped, all lifeboats made ready for lowering, the wireless to send a distress call, the watertight doors closed, the alarm sounded on all quarters and requested a report of the damage.
When he knew of the damage, Bartlett believed the ship could be moved without further flooding and using the engines turned the ship to head for the shore, then ordered ‘full ahead.’
Following two lifeboats being lowered without permission, they were drawn into the port propeller and the occupants killed. At this time the engines were being stopped, and they stopped just in time to prevent further casualties.
At 8.45 a.m. it was decided to try and beach the ship again, which was acted upon, as it was realized that the flooding was progressing.
Was proper discipline maintained on board after the casualty occurred?
Yes; with the exception of a small group of firemen who commandeered a lifeboat and a group of stewards who at one point threatened to rush some of the boats.
What messages for assistance were sent by the Britannic after the casualty, and at what times, respectively? Were any vessels prevented from going to the assistance of the Britannic or her boats owing to messages received from the Britannic or owing to any erroneous messages being sent or received? In regard to such erroneous messages, from what vessels were they sent and by what vessels were they received, and at what times, respectively?
Britannic signaled: ‘SOS Have struck mine off Point Nikolo (sic).’ As far as can be determined, no vessels were prevented from assisting, notwithstanding the current rumour that a German submarine ‘blocked’ her distress signals in some manner, which is highly improbable considering such submarine equipment.
Was the apparatus for lowering the boats on the Britannic at the time of the casualty in good working order? Were the boats swung out, filled, lowered, or otherwise put into the water and got away under proper superintendence? Were the boats sent away in seaworthy condition and properly manned, equipped, and provisioned? Did the boats, whether those under davits or otherwise, prove to be efficient and serviceable for the purpose of saving life?
How many persons on board the Britannic at the time of the casualty were ultimately rescued and by what means?
What happened to the vessel from the happening of the casualty until she foundered?
Where and at what time did the Britannic founder?
Approximately 3 miles off Port St Nikolo light, bearing North 48° West.
What was the cause of the loss of the Britannic, and of the loss of life which thereby ensued or occurred? What vessels had the opportunity of rendering, assistance to the Britannic; and if any, how was it that assistance did not reach the Britannic before the Scourge and Heroic arrived?
A more detailed report… It’s incomplete… Contributions welcome.
What was the speed of the Britannic shortly before and at the moment of the casualty? Was such speed excessive under the circumstances?
The speed was around 20 knots, the maximum speed permissible for operation in coastal waters, which was not excessive.
What was the nature of the casualty which happened to the Britannic at or about 8 a.m. on November 21st 1916?
An explosion occurred on the starboard bow, causing the vessel to move three points to port. Holds 2 and 3 flooded immediately, while hold 1 began flooding either through the firemen’s tunnel or the bulkhead leading to number 2 hold. The watertight door to the firemen’s tunnel leading to number 6 boiler room did not close, causing this space to flood, while the watertight door to boiler room 5 partly closed, allowing water to flood into this space. The vessel was designed to float with such damage.
What steps were taken immediately on the happening of the casualty? How long after the casualty was its seriousness realised by those in charge of the vessel? What steps were then taken? What endeavours were made to save the lives of those on board and to prevent the vessel from sinking?
Captain Bartlett ordered the engines stopped, all lifeboats made ready for lowering, the wireless to send a distress call, the watertight doors closed, the alarm sounded on all quarters and requested a report of the damage.
When he knew of the damage, Bartlett believed the ship could be moved without further flooding and using the engines turned the ship to head for the shore, then ordered ‘full ahead.’
Following two lifeboats being lowered without permission, they were drawn into the port propeller and the occupants killed. At this time the engines were being stopped, and they stopped just in time to prevent further casualties.
At 8.45 a.m. it was decided to try and beach the ship again, which was acted upon, as it was realized that the flooding was progressing.
Was proper discipline maintained on board after the casualty occurred?
Yes; with the exception of a small group of firemen who commandeered a lifeboat and a group of stewards who at one point threatened to rush some of the boats.
What messages for assistance were sent by the Britannic after the casualty, and at what times, respectively? Were any vessels prevented from going to the assistance of the Britannic or her boats owing to messages received from the Britannic or owing to any erroneous messages being sent or received? In regard to such erroneous messages, from what vessels were they sent and by what vessels were they received, and at what times, respectively?
Britannic signaled: ‘SOS Have struck mine off Point Nikolo (sic).’ As far as can be determined, no vessels were prevented from assisting, notwithstanding the current rumour that a German submarine ‘blocked’ her distress signals in some manner, which is highly improbable considering such submarine equipment.
Was the apparatus for lowering the boats on the Britannic at the time of the casualty in good working order? Were the boats swung out, filled, lowered, or otherwise put into the water and got away under proper superintendence? Were the boats sent away in seaworthy condition and properly manned, equipped, and provisioned? Did the boats, whether those under davits or otherwise, prove to be efficient and serviceable for the purpose of saving life?
How many persons on board the Britannic at the time of the casualty were ultimately rescued and by what means?
What happened to the vessel from the happening of the casualty until she foundered?
Where and at what time did the Britannic founder?
Approximately 3 miles off Port St Nikolo light, bearing North 48° West.
What was the cause of the loss of the Britannic, and of the loss of life which thereby ensued or occurred? What vessels had the opportunity of rendering, assistance to the Britannic; and if any, how was it that assistance did not reach the Britannic before the Scourge and Heroic arrived?
