Fate would however take Britannic on a different course. Shortly after her launch, England was at war with Germany. White Star pulled Olympic out of service and sat her at Belfast next to Britannic. As a safety precausion, if needed, Britannic would be ready to sail within four weeks.
In June 1915, only a month after the sinking of the Lusitania, the British Admiralty decided to put four large ocean liners into service on the Gallipoli Campaign. Mauritania and Aquitania went first into service. But soon, the number of casualties became alarming and it was obvious they needed larger Hospital Ships. Aquitania was transferred from a trooper into a Hospital ship, her trooping roles taken by the Olympic. Eventually, Aquitania couldn't handle the causalties and it was obvious Britannic couldn't lay dormant any longer. She was requisitioned as a Hospital Ship.
Her luxurious fittings were put aside in storage and in came beds, wards, cots etc. The enclosed promenade deck was used as an airy ward. The reseption room was an opperating theatre. One problem was that only 5 of the ships 8 gantry davits had been fitted. There was no time to make and fit the other three, so in between the davits were 6 Welin davits and lifeboats with collapsible boats underneath, the same types used on Titanic. There were also two more on the shelter deck at the very stern of the poop deck. With this configuration, Titanic could hold 58 lifeboats.
Her hull was painted white with a long green band running alone it, broken by three huge red crosses, with an additional two fitted to the boat deck which were illuminatd at night. Green lightbulbs ran along the promenade deck which were lit at night. By day or night, there was no mistaking Britannic for anything other than a hospital ship.
On December 8th, Britannic left on her sea trials under the command of Captain Charles Bartlett, affectionatly known as 'Iceberg Charly' for his ability to smell ice and would go to great lengths to avoid icebergs.
On December 13th, Britannic was given the title His Majesty's Hospital Ship (HMHS) G618. 10 days later, Britannic left Liverpool. Once again White Star was opperating the largest ship in the world.
Britannic's first trip was to Southampton via Murdos. She arrived at Naples on the 28th of December to fill with coal. This was standard practise so the ships could make a non-stop run back to England with wounded soldiers.
After Britannic's third voyage on June 6th, 1916, she was returned to White Star where she was once again being transferred into a passenger ship. By August however, large hospital ships were badly needed and Britannic along with Aquitania were recalled.
By September 9th she was back in service. She would only make two voyages however before her fate was decided. |
