R. Sykes & Sons ‘IMPROVED BRITANNIC’ Anchor Model

Sanctioned by Harland & Wolff on behalf of the White Star Line on 27th February 1913, the "Improved Britannic" anchor was a massive, 15.5-ton stockless anchor designed by N. Hingley & Sons for the HMHS Britannic (launched 1914), the third vessel of the Olympic-class liners. It was an advanced, forged steel design suited for the ship’s larger 94-foot beam and improved survivability features following the Titanic disaster.

Manufacturer Confusion: While N. Hingley & Sons manufactured the actual anchors used on Britannic, the "Improved Britannic" trade name was also associated with R. Sykes & Son Ld. Cradley Heath, a different maker of anchors, which were produced into the 1910's.

A small number of "salesman's" samples were produced for promotional purposes and this is one of them. Cast in solid brass and heavy, it displays all the features of the full-size anchor and stamped with the maker's details on one side of the barrel and "The Improved Britannic" on the other.

Size: 16.5cm (6.5") x 10cm (4")

An extremely rare artefact, showing one of the many changes made to the last Olympic Class liner!