View source for MV Britannic (1929)

{{Short description|White Star motor vessel, 1929-1961}}
{{For|other White Star liners with the same name|SS Britannic (1874)|HMHS Britannic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} 
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image =File:MV Britannic (Cropped).png
| Ship caption = MV ''Britannic'' seen during [[sea trial]]s.
}} 
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = [[United Kingdom]]
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|UK|civil}}
| Ship name = MV ''Britannic''
| Ship namesake = 
| Ship owner = 
| Ship operator = *1930–34: [[White Star Line]]
*1934–49: [[Cunard-White Star Line]]
*1950–60: [[Cunard Line]]
| Ship registry = [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]]
| Ship route = *1930–35: Liverpool – [[Cobh]] – [[New York City|New York]]
*1935–39: [[Port of London|London]] –  [[Southampton]] – New York
*1948–60: Liverpool – Cobh – New York
| Ship ordered = 1927
| Ship builder = [[Harland and Wolff]], [[Belfast]]
| Ship original cost = 
| Ship yard number = 807
| Ship laid down = 14 April 1927
| Ship launched = 6 August 1929
| Ship sponsor = 
| Ship completed = 1930
| Ship maiden voyage = 28 June 1930
| Ship acquired = 
| Ship refit = 1947-48
| Ship in service = 1930
| Ship out of service = 4 December 1960
| Ship identification = *UK [[official number]] 162316
*[[Code letters]] LGCF
*{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]] GDXF
*{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Delta}}{{ICS|X-ray}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}
| Ship fate = Scrapped 1961
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = 
| Ship type = [[Ocean liner]]
| Ship tonnage = *As built: {{GRT|26943}}, {{NRT|16445}}
*Post 1947 re-fit: {{GRT|27666}}, {{NRT|15811}}<ref name="liverpoolships.org">{{cite web | url=http://www.liverpoolships.org/britannic_and_georgic_cunard_white_star.html | title=The BRITANNIC and the GEORGIC were the last liners built for the White Star Line and were merged with the Cunard Line in 1934 }}</ref>
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length = {{cvt|683.6|ft}}
| Ship beam = {{cvt|82.4|ft}}
| Ship draught = {{cvt|30|ft}}
| Ship depth = {{cvt|48.6|ft}}
| Ship decks = 
| Ship power = 20,000 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]
| Ship range = {{convert|6500|nmi}}
| Ship propulsion = *2 × 10-cylinder [[Marine propulsion#Reciprocating|diesel engines]]
*2 × [[propeller]]s
| Ship speed = {{convert|19.5|kn}}
| Ship capacity = *'''As built:'''
*504 cabin class
*551 tourist class
*498 third class
*'''1947 re-fit:'''
*429 first class
*564 tourist class<ref name="liverpoolships.org">{{cite web | url=http://www.liverpoolships.org/britannic_and_georgic_cunard_white_star.html | title=The BRITANNIC and the GEORGIC were the last liners built for the White Star Line and were merged with the Cunard Line in 1934 }}</ref>
*'''cargo:'''
*2 × [[Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo]] holds, {{cvt|72440|ft3}}
*6 × non-refrigerated holds
| Ship crew = 
| Ship armament = *(as [[Defensively equipped merchant ship|DEMS]]):
*1 × [[BL 6-inch Mk XII naval gun]]
*1 × [[QF 3-inch 20 cwt]] [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] gun
| Ship sensors = *[[Submarine signals|Submarine signalling]]
*Wireless [[direction finding]]
*by 1934: [[Gyrocompass]]
| Ship notes = Running mate: {{MV|Georgic|1931|2}}
}}
|}

'''MV ''Britannic''''' was a British [[Transatlantic crossing|transatlantic]] [[ocean liner]] that was launched in 1929 and scrapped in 1961. She was the penultimate ship built for [[White Star Line]] before its 1934 merger with [[Cunard Line]]. When built, ''Britannic'' was the largest [[motor ship]] in the [[Merchant Navy (United Kingdom)|UK Merchant Navy]]. Her running mate ship was the [[MV Georgic (1932)|MV ''Georgic]].

In 1934 White Star merged with [[Cunard Line]]; however, both ''Britannic'' and ''Georgic'' retained their White Star Line colours and flew the [[Maritime flag#House flag|house flags]] of both companies.

From 1935 the pair served [[Port of London|London]], and at the time they were the largest ships to do so. From early in her career ''Britannic'' operated on [[Cruise ship|cruises]] as well as scheduled transatlantic services. Diesel propulsion, economical speeds and modern "cabin ship" passenger facilities enabled ''Britannic'' and ''Georgic'' to make a profit throughout the 1930s, when many other liners were unable to do so.

In the [[Second World War]] ''Britannic'' served as a [[Troopship|troop ship]] and emerged from the conflict unscathed. In 1947 she was overhauled, re-fitted, modernised and returned to civilian service. She outlived her sister ''Georgic'' and became the last White Star liner still in commercial service. ''Britannic'' was scrapped in 1961 after three decades of service.

She was the last of three White Star Line ships called ''Britannic''. The first {{SS|Britannic|1874|2}} was a [[steamship]] launched in 1874 and scrapped in 1903. The second was launched in 1914, completed as the [[hospital ship]] {{HMHS|Britannic}} and sunk by a [[Naval mine|mine]] in 1916.

==Background==
On 1 January 1927 the [[International Mercantile Marine Company]] sold White Star Line to the [[Royal Mail Steam Packet Company]] (RMSP). At the time White Star had one new steamship on order, {{SS|Laurentic|1927|2}}, and was discussing designs with [[Harland and Wolff]] for a [[Oceanic (unfinished ship)|proposed 1,000-foot liner]], but overall the [[List of White Star Line ships|White Star fleet]] needed modernising.{{sfn|Wilson|1956|p=48}}

[[Motor ship]]s were more economical than steam, and in the 1920s the maximum size of [[Marine propulsion#Reciprocating|marine diesel engine]] had increased rapidly. RMSP had recently taken delivery of two large [[motor ship]]s, {{RMS|Asturias|1925|3}} and {{RMS|Alcantara|1926|3}}, and chose diesel to replace White Star's [[Big Four (White Star Line)|"Big Four" liners]]. The replacements were to be smaller than the Big Four but more luxurious.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2009|p=223}}

==Building==
On 14 April 1927 Harland and Wolff laid ''Britannic''{{'}}s keel{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=10}} on slip number one in its [[Belfast]] yard.<ref name=Yard>{{cite web |url= http://www.theyard.info/ships/ships.asp?entryid=807 |title=Britannic |work=Harland and Wolff |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> She was launched on 6 August 1929, started three days of [[sea trial]]s in the [[Firth of Clyde]] on 25 or 26 May 1930,{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=10}}<ref name=Yard/> and was completed on 21 June 1930.<ref name=SAS>{{cite web |url= http://shippingandshipbuilding.uk/view.php?year_built=&builder=&ref=204731&vessel=BRITANNIC |title=Britannic |work=Shipping and Shipbuilding |publisher=Tees-built Ships |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

''Britannic'' had two [[propeller]]s installed, each driven by a ten-cylinder, [[Four-stroke engine#Diesel cycle|four-stroke]], [[Single- and double-acting cylinders|double-acting]] diesel engine. Between them the two engines developed 20,000 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]<ref name=LR31>{{cite book |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/31/31b0176.pdf |year=1931 |title=Lloyd's Register |chapter=Steamers & Motorships |volume=II |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> and gave ''Britannic'' a speed of {{convert|20.5|kn|km/h}}.{{sfn|Harnack|1949|p=461}} When new, ''Britannic'' was the largest motor ship in the UK Merchant Navy{{sfn|Talbot-Booth|1936|p=332}} and the second largest in the World, second only to the Italian liner {{MS|Augustus|1926|2}}.{{sfn|Haws|1990|p=101}}<ref name=NYT-1960-0821>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/08/21/286148602.html?pageNumber=86 |url-access=subscription |last=Morrow |first=Edward A |title=Britannic to end long sea career |newspaper=The New York Times |page=86 |date=21 August 1960 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

''Britannic'' was built as a "cabin ship" with berths for 1,553 passengers: 504 cabin class, 551 tourist class and 498 third class.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=12}} She had a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and her cabin class dining saloon was in [[Louis XIV furniture|Louis XIV style]].<ref name=NYT-1930-0708>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/07/08/129137252.html?pageNumber=46 |url-access=subscription |title=Harbor welcomes the new Britannic |newspaper=The New York Times |page=46 |date=8 July 1930 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> She had eight holds, one of which could carry unpackaged cars. Two holds were [[Reefer ship|refrigerated]],{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=12}} and her total refrigerated capacity was {{cvt|72440|ft3}}.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/31/31a0625.pdf |year=1931 |title=Lloyd's Register |chapter=List of Vessels Fitted with Refrigerating Appliances |volume=I |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

12 bulkheads divided her hull into watertight compartments. Their watertight doors could be closed either electrically from the [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]], or manually.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=12}} Installed were 24 lifeboats, two motor boats and two backup boats.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2009|p=224}}

''Britannic'' had two funnels. As on many early Harland and Wolff motor ships they were low and broad.<ref name=NYT-1960-0821/> Only her [[aft]] funnel was a diesel exhaust. Her forward funnel was a dummy that housed two smoking rooms:{{sfn|Wilson|1956|p=51}} one for her deck officers and the other for the engineer officers.<ref name=NYT-1930-0708/> It also contained water tanks and, later in her career, radar equipment.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=15}}

''Britannic'' was painted in White Star Line colours:<ref name=NYT-1960-0821/> black hull with a gold line, white superstructure and ventilators, red [[Glossary of nautical terms (A-L)#boot-top|boot-topping]],{{sfn|Haws|1990|p=24}} and [[Buff (colour)|buff]] funnels with a black top. Both ''Britannic'' and ''Georgic'' kept their White Star colours after White Star merged with Cunard in 1934.{{sfn|Talbot-Booth|1936|p=441}}

==White Star years==
[[File:MV Britannic On Maiden Voyage.jpg|thumb|''Britannic'' on her maiden voyage|left]]
In 1930 ''Britannic'' was delivered from Belfast to [[Liverpool]] amid enthusiastic press coverage. When she left Liverpool on 28 June to begin her maiden voyage an estimated 14,000 people turned out{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|pp=14–15}} and gave her what was reported to be the "greatest send-off known to [[Merseyside]]". She called at Belfast and [[Glasgow]] to load mail, and then continued to [[New York City|New York]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/07/01/98308067.html?pageNumber=58 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic due Monday |newspaper=The New York Times |page=58 |date=1 July 1930 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

On 8 July ''Britannic'' entered New York harbour, [[Dressing overall|dressed overall]].<ref name=NYT-1930-0708/> Over the next few days, 1,500 people paid $1 each to go aboard her while she was in port,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/07/13/96910056.html?pageNumber=32 |url-access=subscription |title=Finds public eager to see new liners |newspaper=The New York Times |page=32 |date=13 July 1930 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> and on 12 July a crowd of more than 6,000 came to see her leave New York for [[Cobh]] and Liverpool.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/07/13/96909931.html?pageNumber=22 |url-access=subscription |title=6,000 see Britannic sail for Liverpool |newspaper=The New York Times |page=22 |date=13 July 1930 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

For her first three trips ''Britannic''{{'}}s speed was limited to {{convert|16|kn|km/h}} until her engines were run in.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/07/10/113335832.html?pageNumber=50 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic not pressed |newspaper=The New York Times |page=50 |date=10 July 1930 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> Thereafter her speed was increased, and at the beginning of October 1930 she averaged {{convert|17+3/4|kn|km/h}} on a westbound crossing.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/10/06/118388351.html?pageNumber=33 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic gains in speed |newspaper=The New York Times |page=33 |date=6 October 1930 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> On an eastbound crossing in July 1932 she averaged {{convert|19+1/4|kn|km/h}}, beating her own record.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1932/07/25/100838072.html?pageNumber=31 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic's fastest trip |newspaper=The New York Times |page=31 |date=25 July 1932 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>
[[File:MV Britannic 1929.jpg|thumb|''Britannic'' seen from starboard]]
By the time ''Britannic'' entered service, the [[Great Depression]] had caused a global slump in merchant shipping. Several White Star Line steamships operated cruises for at least part of the year to make up for the fall in transatlantic passenger numbers. But ''Britannic''{{'}}s lower running costs enabled her to make a profit on the route.{{sfn|Anderson|1964|p=172}} In 1931 White Star Line operated ten ships, but only four made a profit on scheduled routes. ''Britannic'' being the most profitable by far.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=19}}

Between some scheduled transatlantic crossings ''Britannic'' fitted in short cruises from New York. White Star Line offered four-day weekend and midweek cruises. In 1931 the tourist class fare for these on ''Britannic'' was $35.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/08/10/92165830.html?pageNumber=33 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic to have tourist space |newspaper=The New York Times |page=33 |date=10 August 1931 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> She also attracted [[Chartering (shipping)|charter]] trade, such as a 16-day cruise to the [[West Indies]] in February and March 1932 to raise funds for the [[Frontier Nursing Service]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/12/08/98085106.html?pageNumber=3 |url-access=subscription |title=Cruise to aid nursing fund |newspaper=The New York Times |page=3 |date=8 December 1931 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1932/02/26/105786501.html?pageNumber=16 |url-access=subscription |title=Society leaders join Caribbean cruise |newspaper=The New York Times |page=16 |date=26 February 1932 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Britannic (III) postcard.jpg|thumb|''Britannic'' at [[Liverpool]] before 1934|right]]
In summer ''Britannic'' shared the route with the older {{RMS|Adriatic|1906|6}}, {{RMS|Baltic|1903|2}} and {{RMS|Cedric||2}}.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2009|pp=225–226}} In 1932 her running mate ''Georgic'' entered service{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2009|p=231}} and joined her on the route.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=19}}

In her first 15 months in service ''Britannic'' averaged only 609 passengers per voyage, which was less than 40 per cent of her capacity.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/10/20/94248527.html?pageNumber=52 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic here on 33rd crossing |newspaper=The New York Times |page=52 |date=20 October 1931 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> And two cruises from New York to the [[Mediterranean]] that she was due to make in spring 1932 were cancelled for lack of enough bookings.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/12/22/118431578.html?pageNumber=47 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic here a day late |newspaper=The New York Times |page=47 |date=22 December 1931 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

By 1932 bookings for cabin class was still slack, but demand for ''Britannic''{{'}}s tourist class exceeded the number of berths available. On a sailing on ''Britannic'' from New York on 4 June that year White Star allocated cabin class berths to a number of tourist class passengers to meet demand.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1932/06/06/100757891.html?pageNumber=33 |url-access=subscription |title=Atlantic ship lines report fair trade |newspaper=The New York Times |page=33 |date=6 June 1932 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

In May 1932 White Star Line organised a [[fashion show]] of travel clothes aboard ''Britannic'' when she was in port in New York<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1932/05/02/100729262.html?pageNumber=35 |url-access=subscription |title=Ship to give fashion show |newspaper=The New York Times |page=35 |date=2 May 1932 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> in a bid to earn extra income.

In 1933 the largest number of passengers on ''Britannic'' on a single crossing was 1,003, which was less than 65 per cent of her capacity. But it was the highest number of any transatlantic liner that year.<ref name=NYT-1960-0821/>{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=20}} ''Britannic''{{'}}s luxury and well-appointed public saloons attracted enough passengers for her to pay her way when other ships did not.{{sfn|Wilson|1956|p=51}}

On 15 December 1933 ''Britannic'' ran aground on a mud flat off [[Governors Island (Massachusetts)|Governors Island]] in [[Port of Boston|Boston Harbour]] and the ship was refloated the next day with the aid of six [[tugboat]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1933/12/17/105830880.html?pageNumber=39 |url-access=subscription |title=Liner Britannic refloated |newspaper=The New York Times |page=39 |date=17 December 1933 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

==Cunard White Star Line==
[[File:Cunard White Star MV Britannic (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|A 1930s postcard of ''Britannic'', launched by [[Cunard-White Star Line]]]]
On 20 July 1931 the [[Royal Mail Case]] opened at the [[Old Bailey]], which led to the collapse of White Star Line's parent company.{{sfn|Anderson|1964|pp=178–179}} On 1 January 1934 White Star Line merged with Cunard, with the latter holding 62 per cent of the capital.{{sfn|Wilson|1956|p=59}} By 1936 the resulting [[Cunard-White Star Line]] sold most of the former White Star fleet except ''Britannic'', ''Georgic'' and ''Laurentic''.{{sfn|Anderson|1964|p=216}}

In April 1935 ''Britannic'' and ''Georgic'' were transferred to the route between London and New York via [[Port of Le Havre|Le Havre]], [[Port of Southampton|Southampton]] and Cobh.{{sfn|Wilson|1956|p=60}}<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/07/22/94638449.html?pageNumber=31 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic here late |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=31 |date=22 July 1935 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> This made them the largest ships to visit London.{{sfn|Talbot-Booth|1936|p=333}}

In June 1935 ''Britannic''{{'}}s [[Master mariner|Master]], [[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] William Hawkes, [[Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Reserve|RD]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]], [[Royal Naval Reserve|RNR]], was made a [[Order of the British Empire#Current classes|CBE]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=15180 |date=7 June 1935 |page=491 |city=e |accessdate=5 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/06/24/94623442.html?pageNumber=35 |url-access=subscription |title=Captain is decorated |newspaper=The New York Times |page=35 |date=24 June 1935 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> On 22 July two passengers got married aboard ''Britannic'' just before she sailed on a cruise to [[Bermuda]]. Captain Hawkes did not conduct the ceremony, but he did give the bride away.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/07/23/94639062.html?pageNumber=23 |url-access=subscription |title=Dora Edwards weds on liner Britannic |newspaper=The New York Times |page=23 |date=23 July 1935 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

On 4 January 1937 ''Britannic'' suffered slight engine trouble on arrival in New York. She was held at [[Ellis Island]] for 45 minutes for temporary repairs before proceeding to dock.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1937/01/04/94315080.html?pageNumber=33 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic arrives with lame engine |newspaper=The New York Times |page=33 |date=4 January 1937 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

[[File:BBC Tower and Transmitter Mast, Alexandra Palace - geograph.org.uk - 1278217.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Alexandra Palace television station]], from which ''Britannic'' received television signals in October 1937]]
In October 1937 the [[BBC]] experimented with a [[television]] receiver in one of the state rooms on ''Britannic''{{'}}s A deck. After she left London on 29 October, BBC technicians tested the reception of "telephotograms" transmitted from the [[Alexandra Palace television station]] in London as ''Britannic'' voyaged away from the capital and down the [[English Channel]]. The experiment continued for 24 hours, until ''Britannic'' was {{convert|30|nmi|km}} south of [[Hastings]]. The receiver's screen was {{convert|10|by|12|in}}. ''Britannic''{{'}}s Master, Captain AT Brown, watched the experiment and said that both the picture and the sound were clear.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1937/11/08/94454678.html?pageNumber=37 |url-access=subscription |title=Television tested on a liner at sea |newspaper=The New York Times |page=37 |date=8 November 1937 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

''Britannic'' and ''Georgic'' faced modern competition from [[United States Lines]]' {{SS|Manhattan|1931|2}} and {{SS|Washington||2}} and [[Compagnie Générale Transatlantique|CGT]]'s {{SS|Champlain||2}} and ''Lafayette'' ([[:fr:Lafayette (paquebot)|fr]]). In 1937 ''Britannic'' carried 26,943 passengers, ''Georgic'' carried a few hundred more, but ''Champlain'' carried more than either of them.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|pp=28–29}}

In 1938 ''Britannic'' carried 1,170 passengers on one eastbound crossing in June, which was 75 per cent of her capacity.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1938/06/12/99544670.html?pageNumber=35 |url-access=subscription |title=4,230 sail on four liners |newspaper=The New York Times |page=35 |date=12 June 1937 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> However, on a westbound crossing in October she carried only 729 passengers.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1938/10/24/98203109.html?pageNumber=35 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic brings 729 |newspaper=The New York Times |page=35 |date=24 October 1937 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

==Second World War==
On 27 August 1939, a few days before the Second World War began, ''Britannic'' was requisitioned as she was returning from New York. She was converted into a troop ship at Southampton. A few days later left she embarked [[British Indian Army]] officers and naval officers,{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=31}} whom she then took from [[Greenock]] to [[Mumbai Harbour|Bombay]].<ref name=NYT-1948-0525>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1948/05/25/85257436.html?pageNumber=55 |url-access=subscription |title=Liner Britannic due here Monday |newspaper=The New York Times |page=55 |date=25 May 1948 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> While in Bombay{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=31}} she was fitted with one [[BL 6-inch Mk XII naval gun]] for defence against surface craft and one [[QF 3-inch 20 cwt]] high-angle gun for [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] defence<ref name=NYT-1940-0111>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1940/01/11/94765340.html?pageNumber=9 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic arrives on 2d war voyage |newspaper=The New York Times |page=9 |date=11 January 1940 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> to make her a [[defensively equipped merchant ship]].

''Britannic'' loaded cargo, returned to England and then returned to commercial service{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=31}} between Liverpool and New York.<ref name=Hague>{{cite web |url= http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/ports/index.html?search.php?vessel=BRITANNIC~armain |last=Hague |first=Arnold |title=Ship Movements |work=Port Arrivals / Departures |publisher=Don Kindell, Convoyweb |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> By January 1940 her superstructure had been repainted from white to buff, and a [[Pillbox (military)|pillbox]] had been built on each wing of her bridge as protection for the deck officer on [[Watchkeeping|watch]].<ref name=NYT-1940-0111/>

[[File:Watch Your Talk for his Sake Art.IWMPST13939.jpg|thumb|upright|UK poster warning people to reveal nothing about ship movements|left]]
By January 1940, UK passenger ships, including ''Britannic'', displayed posters warning passengers "BEWARE. Above all, never give away the movements of His Majesty's ships." Crews were warned that disclosing information such as ship movements violated the [[Defence of the Realm Act 1914]].<ref name=NYT-1940-0402>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1940/04/02/102396579.html?pageNumber=15 |url-access=subscription |title='Hush hush' signs on arriving liners |newspaper=The New York Times |page=15 |date=2 April 1940 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

But in the US, which remained neutral until December 1941, newspapers continued to publish the arrival and departure of every [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] passenger liner.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1940/04/01/92934176.html?pageNumber=16 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic in dock today |newspaper=The New York Times |page=16 |date=1 April 1940 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> In April 1940 ''[[The New York Times]]'' even published how many UK Merchant Navy seafarers arrived on ''Britannic'' and the Cunard liner {{RMS|Cameronia|1919|6}} to join which [[cargo ship]]s, and even gave some idea where those cargo ships were.<ref name=NYT-1940-0402/>

On 20 February 1940 an anonymous telephone call to the [[New York City Police Department]] warned that a bomb would be planted aboard ''Britannic''. NYPD officers searched the ship but found nothing.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1940/02/21/92884754.html?pageNumber=4 |url-access=subscription |title=Bomb tip causes extra guard on ship |newspaper=The New York Times |page=4 |date=21 February 1940 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

''Britannic''{{'}}s westbound crossings carried many refugees from central Europe,<ref name=NYT=1940-0622>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1940/06/22/113093836.html?pageNumber=17 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic, Athlone's ship, here with 760, including Jan Masaryk |newspaper=The New York Times |page=17 |date=22 June 1940 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> including Germans fleeing Nazism.<ref name=NYT-1940-0111/><ref name=NYT-1940-0402/> She also carried many [[Evacuations of civilians in Britain during World War II#Overseas evacuation|UK children sent to North America]]<ref name=NYT=1940-0622/><ref name=NYT-1940-0730/> by the [[Children's Overseas Reception Board]]. The overseas evacuation of children was terminated after a U-boat tragically torpedoed the [[Ellerman Lines]] ship [[SS City of Benares|SS ''City of Benares'']] on September 17, 1940, sinking it within 31 minutes, and killing 258 people, including 81 of 100 children on board.

In January 1940 the pianist [[Harriet Cohen]] travelled on ''Britannic'' to begin a concert tour of the US.<ref name=NYT-1940-0111/> On the same voyage ''Britannic'' also carried eight racehorses that had been sold to US buyers. Five of the horses had belonged to the [[Aga Khan III|Aga Khan]]. [[Louis B. Mayer]] bought four of the horses, [[Charles S. Howard]] bought two, and [[Neil S. McCarthy]] and a Gordon Douglas of [[Wall Street]] each bought one.<ref name=NYT-1940-0111/>

[[File:Althorn-Alice-MK.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone|Earl]] and [[Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone|Countess of Athlone]], who sailed on ''Britannic'' in June 1940 when the Earl was made [[Governor General of Canada]]]]
In June 1940 ''Britannic''{{'}}s westbound passengers included the [[Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone|Earl]] and [[Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone|Countess of Athlone]], who disembarked at [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]] as the Earl had just been appointed [[Governor General of Canada]]. On the same voyage [[Jan Masaryk]], who had been Czechoslovak ambassador to the UK and was about to become [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Czechoslovakia)|Foreign Minister]] of the [[Czechoslovak government-in-exile]], travelled to New York.<ref name=NYT=1940-0622/>

On an eastbound voyage in summer 1940 ''Britannic'' carried "hundreds" of obsolescent [[Canon de 75 modèle 1897#World War II service|French 75mm field guns]] to the UK, to reinforce defence against the [[Operation Sea Lion|threat of German invasion]]. One of her officers later recalled that they were stowed on her [[promenade deck]].<ref name=NYT=1948-0601>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1948/06/01/85267860.html?pageNumber=46 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic returns as a 'new' vessel |newspaper=The New York Times |page=46 |date=1 June 1948 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

In July ''Britannic''{{'}}s took [[Noël Coward#Second World War|Noël Coward]] to New York. He said the [[Ministry of Information (United Kingdom)|UK Minister of Information]], [[Duff Cooper]], had sent him to meet [[Edward Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax|Lord Halifax]], the [[List of ambassadors of the United Kingdom to the United States|UK ambassador in Washington]].<ref name=NYT-1940-0730>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1940/07/30/91585569.html?pageNumber=3 |url-access=subscription |title=Two liners bring 372 children |newspaper=The New York Times |page=3 |date=30 July 1940 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> In fact he was working for the UK [[Secret Intelligence Service]] to influence public opinion in the then-neutral US to support the Allied war effort.

===Troop ship===
On 23 August 1940 ''Britannic'' was requisitioned again. She sailed via [[Union of South Africa|South Africa]] to [[Suez]] and back, then to Suez again in 1941, and thence to Bombay again and back via [[Port of Cape Town|Cape Town]] to the [[Firth of Clyde]], where she arrived on 5 May. She then made one round trip to New York via Halifax before leaving the Clyde on 2 August for Bombay and [[Port of Colombo|Colombo]] via South Africa. Her return voyage was via Cape Town and [[Trinidad]], arriving in Liverpool on 29 November 1941.<ref name=Hague/>

[[File:HMS Rodney after refitting at Liverpool.jpg|thumb|{{HMS|Rodney|29|6}} and four destroyers escorted ''Britannic'' part-way across the Atlantic in May 1941|left]]
In 1942 ''Britannic'' made two more round trips between Britain and Bombay via South Africa. From November 1942 she made two round trips between Britain and South Africa.<ref name=Hague/> Her capacity was increased from 3,000 to 5,000 troops.{{sfn|Haws|1990|p=102}} In June 1943 she took troops to [[Algiers]] in [[Gibraltar convoys of World War II#KMF convoys|Convoy KMF]] 17, and then went via [[Gibraltar]] and South Africa to Bombay, arriving on 10 September. From Bombay she sailed through the [[Suez Canal]] to [[Augusta, Sicily]], and then returned to Liverpool, where she arrived on 5 November 1943.<ref name=Hague/>

Between November 1943 and May 1944 ''Britannic'' four transatlantic round trips: two to New York and two to [[Port of Boston|Boston]]. She then took 3,288 troops with Convoy KMF 32 from Liverpool to [[Port Said]] in [[Kingdom of Egypt|Egypt]]. She made two round trips between there and [[Taranto]] in [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]] and then took 2,940 troops to Liverpool, where she arrived on 11 August.<ref name=Hague/>

In November and December 1944 ''Britannic'' made one round trip to New York. In January 1945 she made a round trip to [[Port of Naples|Naples]] and back, calling at Algiers on her return. From March to June she made two transatlantic round trips from Liverpool to Halifax and back, carrying Canadian servicemen's British brides and children.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=227}} In June and July she sailed from Liverpool to Port Said and back. In July and August she sailed to [[Port of Quebec|Quebec]] and back. In September and October she sailed from Liverpool via the Suez Canal to Bombay and back. In December 1945 she sailed to Naples.<ref name=Hague/> Since the start of the war ''Britannic'' had carried 173,550 people,<ref name=NYT-1960-0821/> including 20,000 US troops across the Atlantic in preparation for the [[Normandy landings]],<ref name=NYT-1948-0525/> and sailed {{convert|324792|nmi|km}}.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=227}}

==Post-war service==
After the war the [[Ministry of War Transport]] and its successor the [[Department for Transport|Ministry of Transport]] held ''Britannic'' in reserve until March 1947. Cunard White Star then had her overhauled and re-fitted at Harland and Wolff's yard at [[Bootle]] in Liverpool.<ref name=NYT-1960-0821/>{{sfn|Wilson|1956|p=76}}{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|pp=41–42}} Her re-fit cost £1 million, and was slowed by post-war shortages of wood and other materials.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1947/10/24/104355346.html?pageNumber=44 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic to sail soon |newspaper=The New York Times |page=44 |date=24 October 1947 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

Her passenger accommodation was simplified from three classes to two, and total capacity was reduced from 1,553 to 993; 429 in first class and 564 in tourist class.<ref name="liverpoolships.org">{{cite web | url=http://www.liverpoolships.org/britannic_and_georgic_cunard_white_star.html | title=The BRITANNIC and the GEORGIC were the last liners built for the White Star Line and were merged with the Cunard Line in 1934 }}</ref> Her décor was modernised in post-war [[Art Deco]] style. Modern fire detection systems were installed.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=46}} A significant number of the cabins were equipped with bathrooms and all had hot and cold running water.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=21}} Her state rooms in both classes were enlarged.<ref name=NYT-1948-0525/> On A deck she had two state room suites each with bedroom, living room and bathroom.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=21}} The refit resulted in a slight increase of her tonnage to {{GRT|27666}}.{{sfn|Harnack|1949|p=461}}

''Britannic'' began her first post-war commercial trip from Liverpool on 22 May 1948 to New York via Cobh.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=42}}<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1948/05/03/96593463.html?pageNumber=43 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic to resume passenger service |newspaper=The New York Times |page=43 |date=3 May 1948 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> As she entered New York harbour, two [[Fireboats of New York City|New York City fireboats]] accompanied her and gave a traditional display with their water jets.<ref name=NYT=1948-0601/>

On that first westbound voyage ''Britannic'' carried 848 passengers,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1948/05/31/85265220.html?pageNumber=29 |url-access=subscription |title=Fog keeps Britannic from entering harbor |newspaper=The New York Times |page=29 |date=31 May 1948 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> which meant that her refurbished passenger accommodation was about 85 percent full. On an eastbound voyage six weeks later she carried 971 passengers, meaning that more than 97 percent of her berths were taken.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1948/07/02/86746713.html?pageNumber=41 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic sails with 971 |newspaper=The New York Times |page=41 |date=2 July 1948 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> Even on some winter crossings ''Britannic'' had plenty of passengers. On a westbound crossing in January 1949 she carried 801,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1949/01/31/85634360.html?pageNumber=35 |url-access=subscription |title=810 here on Britannic |newspaper=The New York Times |page=35 |date=31 January 1949 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> an occupancy rate of more than 80 percent.

On 4 July 1949 ''Britannic'' rescued two [[Estonia]]n refugees in mid-Atlantic. They had built a {{convert|33|ft|adj=on}} sailing yacht called ''Felicitas'', begun their voyage from the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]] coast of the [[Soviet occupation zone]] of Germany, followed the coast of Europe to northern Spain, and then tried to cross the Atlantic to Canada. On 1 July ''Felicitas''{{'}} auxiliary motor had failed, and at some point her mast had been broken by heavy seas. On 4 July ''Felicitas'' was about {{convert|750|nmi|km}} west of Ireland when her crew sighted ''Britannic'' and attracted her attention by firing [[Flare gun|distress flares]]. Her Master said that about an hour after the rescue fog closed in, in which ''Felicitas'' and ''Britannic'' would have been unable to see each other.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1949/07/10/84273125.html?pageNumber=14 |url-access=subscription |title=Liner here with 2 who fled Germany |newspaper=The New York Times |page=14 |date=10 July 1949 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

In November 1949 ''Britannic'' lost one of her anchors in bad weather in the [[River Mersey]], the ship's departure was delayed for her spare anchor to be fitted.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1949/11/22/96478727.html?pageNumber=59 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic sailing late |newspaper=The New York Times |page=59 |date=22 November 1949 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

===Cunard Line===
[[File:MV Britannic (III).jpg|thumb|Port side of ''Britannic'' sometime after 1951]]
In 1949 Cunard bought out White Star's share of the business, and at the end of the year discontinued the White Star name, but ''Britannic'' and ''Georgic'' continued to fly both house flags.{{sfn|Haws|1990|p=24}}

On 1 June 1950 ''Britannic'' and United States Lines' cargo ship ''Pioneer Land'' collided head-on in thick fog near the Ambrose Lightship. ''Pioneer Land''{{'}}s bow was damaged but she reached New York unaided. ''Britannic'' sustained only minor damage and continued her voyage to Europe.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1950/06/02/87045931.html?pageNumber=32 |url-access=subscription |title=Liner, freighter collide off Ambrose as shifting fog slows air, ship traffic |newspaper=The New York Times |page=32 |date=2 June 1950 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>{{sfn|Eaton|Haas|1989|p=247}}

In May 1952 ''Britannic'' transported the US women's golf team to Britain to play in the [[Curtis Cup]] at [[Muirfield]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1952/05/22/84539775.html?pageNumber=37 |url-access=subscription |title=Curtis Cup squad off for England |newspaper=The New York Times |page=37 |date=22 May 1952 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

In Liverpool on 20 November 1953 ''Britannic'' suffered a small leak from what was at first described as a fractured collar on her seawater intake.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1953/11/21/84430543.html?pageNumber=29 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic develops leak |newspaper=The New York Times |page=29 |date=21 November 1953 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> The next day the problem was described as a fractured injection pipe in her sanitary pump. Her sailing was delayed for 24 hours for repairs.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1953/11/22/92511735.html?pageNumber=239 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic repairs speeded |newspaper=The New York Times |page=239 |date=22 November 1953 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

In January 1955 Cunard withdrew ''Georgic'' from service, leaving ''Britannic'' as the last former White Star liner in service.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=227}}

In 1953 and 1955 ''Britannic'' suffered fires, both of which were safely extinguished. The 1955 fire was in her number four hold on an eastbound voyage in April. Five hundred and sixty bags of mail, 211 items of luggage and four cars were destroyed, partly by the fire and partly by water used to extinguish the fire.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1955/04/29/91360361.html?pageNumber=47 |url-access=subscription |title=Mid-Atlantic fire in Britannic's hold destroys luggage, mail and four autos |newspaper=The New York Times |page=47 |date=29 April 1955 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1955/04/30/83356180.html?pageNumber=35 |url-access=subscription |title=Liner fire investigated |newspaper=The New York Times |page=35 |date=30 April 1955 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

In December 1956 Cunard announced that from January 1957 it would transfer ''Britannic'' to the route between Liverpool and Halifax via Cobh, due to increased passenger demand and increased migration to Canada.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/12/22/84717780.html?pageNumber=2 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic to go on Canada run |newspaper=The New York Times |page=2 |date=22 December 1956 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

[[File:RMS Britannic (4975146614) (cropped).jpg|thumb|''Britannic'' docked in [[New York Harbor]] on 1 December 1959, almost a year before her retirement]]
In July 1959 Cunard dismissed ''Britannic''{{'}}s Master, Captain James Armstrong. He was only months away from being promoted to command {{RMS|Queen Mary}}. His trade union, the [[Nautilus International|Mercantile Marine Service Association]], said it was preparing legal action against Cunard. Armstrong said Cunard had given him the choice of resignation or dismissal. Both sides refused to reveal why he had been dismissed.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1959/08/25/80546465.html?pageNumber=63 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic's Captain dismissed; passenger complaints hinted |newspaper=The New York Times |page=63 |date=25 August 1959 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

===Cruises===
[[File:Bell from MV Britannic, Merseyside Maritime Museum.jpg|thumb|upright|''Britannic''{{'}}s [[Ship's bell|bell]] in [[Merseyside Maritime Museum]]]]
Transatlantic passenger traffic was seasonal. In the 1950s, as in the 1930s, operators of passenger liners used seasonal cruises to try to keep their ships fully occupied through the year.

On 28 January 1950 ''Britannic'' left New York on a 54-day cruise from New York to [[Madeira]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]]. Tickets ranged from $1,350 to $4,500 per person.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1949/07/17/84274568.html?pageNumber=151 |title=Britannic is scheduled for long winter cruise |newspaper=The New York Times |page=151 |date=17 July 1949 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> Shortly after departure, only {{convert|80|nmi|km}} east of the [[Lightship Ambrose|Ambrose Lightship]], she suffered engine trouble and turned back for two days of repairs. Her passengers seemed not to mind the two-day extension of their vacation,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1950/01/30/87019966.html?pageNumber=25 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic's cruise 'extended' 2 days |newspaper=The New York Times |page=25 |date=30 January 1950 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> and a long winter cruise from New York became a regular part of ''Britannic''{{'}}s annual schedule.

By February 1952 ''Britannic''{{'}}s winter cruise was a 66-day tour to the Mediterranean.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1952/02/02/84301025.html?pageNumber=30 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic is delayed three hours in bay to send injured passenger to city hospital |newspaper=The New York Times |page=30 |date=2 February 1952 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> On that occasion she carried only 459 passengers, which was less than 44 per cent of her capacity, but it was enough for Cunard to repeat the cruise each year. ''Britannic''{{'}}s 1953 Mediterranean winter cruise was 65 days. Tickets started at $1,275, which was less than in 1950.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1952/06/17/84325652.html?pageNumber=55 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic to cruise again |newspaper=The New York Times |page=55 |date=17 June 1952 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

Fares for ''Britannic''{{'}}s 66-day Mediterranean cruise in January 1956 also started at $1,275,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1955/06/13/80774507.html?pageNumber=43 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic cruise set |newspaper=The New York Times |page=43 |date=13 June 1955 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> the same as in 1953, but she sailed with only 490 passengers,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/01/27/84873780.html?pageNumber=48 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic sails on cruise |newspaper=The New York Times |page=48 |date=27 January 1956 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> making her slightly less than half-full. The cruise was to include a visit to [[Cyprus]] in February, but this was cancelled due to the [[Cyprus Emergency|state of emergency]] as [[EOKA|Greek Cypriot separatists]] fought against [[British Cyprus|British rule]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/02/11/94285987.html?pageNumber=25 |url-access=subscription |title=Cunarder drops Cyprus visit |newspaper=The New York Times |page=25 |date=11 February 1956 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

Cunard planned a similar 66-day cruise for January 1957.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/05/21/305247592.html?pageNumber=26 |url-access=subscription |title=Winter cruise for Britannic |newspaper=The New York Times |page=26 |date=21 May 1956 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> But in December 1956 it cancelled the cruise and said ''Britannic'' would remain on the transatlantic service for those two months, due to "The unsettled situation in the Mideast".<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/12/17/86975563.html?pageNumber=42 |url-access=subscription |title=Cunard cancels cruise |newspaper=The New York Times |page=42 |date=17 December 1956 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> Cyprus was still under a state of emergency, [[Suez Crisis|Israel, the UK and France had invaded Egypt]] in October and November 1956, and the region remained tense.

In 1960 ''Britannic'' made her annual 66-day cruise from New York to the Mediterranean as usual.{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=229}} Cunard had scheduled ''Britannic'' for 19 transatlantic crossings in 1961. But on 9 May 1960 the crankshaft in one of her main engines cracked, forcing her to stay in New York for repairs until July.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/05/10/105433034.html?pageNumber=74 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic trip canceled |newspaper=The New York Times |page=74 |date=10 May 1960 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> These took two months, cost about $400,000 and caused her to miss three voyages.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/07/08/105447459.html?pageNumber=48 |url-access=subscription |title=Costly stay for Britannic |newspaper=The New York Times |page=48 |date=8 July 1960 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> She returned to service,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/08/29/99511017.html?pageNumber=27 |url-access=subscription |title=50 young tourists wait table aboard struck liner Britannic |newspaper=The New York Times |page=27 |date=29 August 1960 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> but on 15 August Cunard announced that ''Britannic'' would be withdrawn from service in December 1960.<ref name=Yard/><ref name=NYT-1960-0821/>

===Final voyages===
In November 1960 Cunard announced that it would transfer {{RMS|Sylvania}} to its New York route to replace ''Britannic''.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/11/21/99971097.html?pageNumber=58 |url-access=subscription |title=Britannic's farewell |newspaper=The New York Times |page=58 |date=21 November 1960 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> On 25 November ''Britannic'' began her final eastbound crossing from New York via Cobh to Liverpool. Cunard marketed the voyage to [[Irish Americans]] wanting to spend Christmas in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/11/13/99965582.html?pageNumber=368 |url-access=subscription |last=Morrow |first=Edward A |title=Cruise to Ireland will make the Britannic only a memory |newspaper=The New York Times |page=368 |date=13 November 1960 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> She reached Liverpool on 4 December,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/11/25/99825900.html?pageNumber=27 |url-access=subscription |last=Bamberger |first=Werner |title=Seaman recalls years with ship |newspaper=The New York Times |page=27 |date=25 November 1960 |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> with 353 passengers aboard.<ref name="liverpoolships.org">{{cite web | url=http://www.liverpoolships.org/britannic_and_georgic_cunard_white_star.html | title=The BRITANNIC and the GEORGIC were the last liners built for the White Star Line and were merged with the Cunard Line in 1934 }}</ref>

''Britannic'' left Liverpool on 16 December 1960 and reached [[Inverkeithing]] on the [[Firth of Forth]]{{sfn|de Kerbrech|2002|p=62}} on 19 December to be scrapped. [[Thos. W. Ward]] Ltd<ref name=SAS/> began to break her up in February 1961.<ref name=Yard/> She was fully scrapped by the end of 1961.

Many of ''Britannic''{{'}}s interior fittings were auctioned off.<ref name=Yard/> ''Britannic''{{'}}s [[Ship's bell|bell]] is now an exhibit in [[Merseyside Maritime Museum]], Liverpool.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Anderson |first=Roy Claude |year=1964 |title=White Star |place=Liverpool |publisher=T Stephenson & Sons Ltd |oclc=3134809 }}
*{{cite book |last=de Kerbrech |first=Richard |year=2002 |title=The Last Liners of the White Star Line: MV Britannic and MV Georgic |publisher=Shipping Book Press |isbn=978-1-900867-05-4 |oclc=52531228 }}
*{{cite book |last=de Kerbrech |first=Richard |year=2009 |title=Ships of the White Star Line |place=Shepperton |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |isbn=978-0-7110-3366-5 |oclc=298597975 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Eaton |first1=John P |last2=Haas |first2=Charles A |year=1989 |title=Falling Star, Misadventures of White Star Line Ships |place=Sparkford |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd |isbn=978-1-85260-084-6 |oclc=20935102 }}
*{{cite book |last=Harnack |first=Edwin P |orig-year=1903 |year=1949 |title=All About Ships & Shipping |place=London |publisher=[[Faber and Faber]] |edition=8th }}
*{{cite book |last=Haws |first=Duncan |year=1990 |title=White Star Line |publisher=TCL Publications |series=Merchant Fleets |volume=17 |isbn=978-0-946378-16-6 |oclc=50214776 }}
*{{cite book |last=Talbot-Booth |first=EC |year=1936 |title=Ships and the Sea |edition=Third |place=London |publisher=[[Sampson Low]], Marston & Co Ltd }}
*{{cite book |last=Wilson |first=RM |year=1956 |title=The Big Ships |place=London |publisher=[[Cassell (publisher)|Cassell & Co]] }}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Britannic (ship, 1930)}}

{{White Star Line ships}}
{{Cunard ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Britannic (1929)}}
[[Category:1929 ships]]
[[Category:Ocean liners of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships built in Belfast]]
[[Category:Ships built by Harland and Wolff]]
[[Category:Ships of the White Star Line]]
[[Category:Troop ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II passenger ships of the United Kingdom]]