A 1:200 SCALE MODEL OF H.M.H.S. BRITANNIC [1914] the 52in. l...

Hammer

£3,600

A 1:200 SCALE MODEL OF H.M.H.S. BRITANNIC [1914]

the 52in. laminated and carved hull with simulated plating and finished in hospital ship livery with white hull, green boottop with interspersed red crosses, brass propellers and rudder, lined paper deck with detailed fittings including deck rails with lifebuoys, spare anchors, bow crane, anchor chains and capstans, companionways, covered hatches, superstructure with bridge, stayed funnels with ladders, safety valve extension pipe and hooter, engine room lights and other details, mast with standing and running rigging and radio aerial, the foremast with crows nest; mounted within two column glazed wooden case -- 21 x 60 x 13½in. (53.5 x 152.5 x 34cm.)

Britannic was launched on February 26th 1914 but completion was delayed by the looming War. On November 13th, 1915 she was requisitioned for use as a hospital ship to assist with the evacuation from the Dardanelles campaign carrying 3,009 hospital berths (returning from her first visit with 3,300 casualties). Whilst passing through the Aegean Sea towards Mudros on her sixth voyage with just crew and medical staff on board, she struck a mine laid by U-73 just hours before and sank within an hour. Commodore Bartlett, her Master, endeavoured to ground the ship but she foundered in four-hundred feet of water. Tragically one of the lifeboats was drawn into the still-turning propeller blades as the stern rose from the water and twenty-nine lives were lost.

fine overall condition, slightly battlescarred