Posted by Russ on April 15, 2000 at 03:59:43:
Hi All:
I have recently been talking to Simon Mills and the possibility of an expedition checking out the object on Britannic's wreck. Here is his personal response in the meantime:
"I don't think it is anything to do with the cargo crane, as this box is
located in a first-class area. Nor, I suspect, is it a fire hose, as hoses
were usually (although not exclusively) located on bulkheads at the sides of
the ship. There is also an illustration of a Britannic fire hose in the
background of the picture of Captain Bartlett on page 23 of Rev. John
Fleming's "Last Voyage of HMHS Britannic" and, as you can see, it is not
enclosed in any form of box. My theory (and at this stage it is only a
theory) is that it might be a cover for a life ring. For obvious reasons the
forward end of the ship was rather more exposed than in other areas, and this
might have been a way to protect the life ring from being washed away or
damaged in heavy weather. As I say, it is only a theory at this stage and I
will keep digging as and when the opportunity occurs."
You can pass comments on to Simon via myself - britannic@btinternet.com
Thanks,
Russ