Your hosts are The Municilpality of Kea and the Hon. Mayor Yiannis Evangelou and the Friends of Kea Society-SFK and President Byron E. It was on the morning of 14th November 1916 when S/S Burdigala, a 12.380 GRT displacement steam liner commandeered by the French Navy and converted to a ‘Croiseur Auxiliaire’, heading from Salonika towards Toulouse, while passing through the Kea Channel, sunk from
a mine [designated as minefield No 33] laid in the Kea Channel by the German submarine U 73. She was heading south with just the 450 strong crew sailing from Thessaloniki and heading to Toulon for loading another 2,000 troops of Zouaves as re-enforcements to the Entente’s massive Gallipoli Campaign, which during the one year that it was fought would cost more than 250,000 lives from both warring sides. It was exactly one week before the HMHS Britannic was sunk.
• Human losses due to this sinking were minimal, thanks to the actions of the Captain, Commandant Rolland, First Officer Mercier and Chief Engineer Richard.
• Historical sources present two different versions of S/S Burdigala’s sinking. The French, refers to a torpedo attack (see Auguste-Antoine Thomazi, page 180), while the English refers to a mine hit (see Paul G. Halpern, page 253). German sources (see Arno Spindler, 3rd volume, page 343), §consider the ship as sunk by a mine. The Greek Press at the time (daily newspaper Emprós, November 2nd and 3rd 1916, Gregorian calendar) reports the incident by supporting the French, torpedoing version. Likewise it was on the morning of 21st November 1916 when Titanic’s sister-ship the commandeered by the British Admiralty great liner-converted to hospital ship, HMHS Britannic with a displacement of 48.158 GRT [the largest ocean liner of the time] sinks after hitting a mine, laid in the Kea Channel by the same German submarine U 73. Britannic was heading north towards the port of Moudros with just her crew, medical officers and nurses of about 1,200 souls. At Moudros she was going to take on wounded British soldiers ca. 2,000 to 2,500 souls. The detailed account of her sinking is logged here: http://hmhsbritannic.weebly.com/sinking.html
It was during the August of 2015 that the Friends of Kea Society-SFK organized an event in Kea island titled “The Shipwrecks of Kea” that the idea of organizing a proper “Centennial Celebration” during 2016 to commemorate the two shipwrecks was first discussed. Hence the ball got rolling and the Municipality of Kea together with SFK are co-organizing this event titled “100 Years from the Sinking’s of S/S BURDIGALA & HMHS BRITANNIC”, in Kea Island, Cyclades, Greece, to be held between Friday September 30th and Sunday October 2nd 2016. The Centennial Celebration aims to:
• diffuse and bring back to focus the historical events which took place in the area 100 years ago,
• to engage and attract either as speakers or delegates renown personalities from the historical, diving, diplomatic, government and business communities (international & local),
• to commemorate and honor by symbolic acts, the souls lost or suffered during the two ships sinking’s
• to promote Kea island as a unique diving and tourist destination,
• above all, to offer a memorable experience for both participants and sponsoring partners
Needless to say, a world-wide press coverage is part of our plan, ensuring a first rate exposure for sponsors’ products and services!
• A note worthy of your attention:
Proceeds from the Event will be used to award scholarships to top grading students from the Kea island high school [under the auspice of the Hon. Mayor of Kea Municipality]
For this purpose we are establishing the “Carl Spencer Scholarship”. Donations will be solicited from the International Diving/Historic Community as well from Domestic Foundations, Corporations, NGO’s & individuals. Preliminary Program of Events & Activities
Three days of Centennial celebrations from Friday 30th September to Sunday 2nd October 2016.
• Friday 30th September 2016 morning: A team of technical divers will descend to the S/S BURDIGALA shipwreck with a task to place a commemorative plaque ‘1916-2016: 100 YEARS of S/S BURDIGALA, sunk on 14 November 1916 in the Kea Channel. The Municipality of Kea & The Friends of Kea Society, 2016’.
• Friday 30th September 2016 morning: Similarly, another commemorative plaque ‘1916-2016: 100 YEARS of HMHS BRITANNIC, sunk on 21 November 1916 in the Kea Channel. The Municipality of Kea & The Friends of Kea Society, 2016’. Such will be positioned in the bridge of Titanic’s sister-ship, most probably by the TRITON class submersible of the U-Boat Malta Org or via ROV or via a separate dive mission.
• Friday 30th September 2016 morning to early afternoon: A flotilla of big and small vessels will visit in a celebratory manner (flying the appropriate flag dress code) from the surface above, the two shipwrecks and the flagship (possibly a Greek Navy or Coast Guard official ship) will lay a wreath honoring the souls lost or suffered during each sinking ship. Invitations will be sent to: the Political and Naval leaderships, Ambassadors and Naval Attachés of France & the United Kingdom, VIP’s, delegates, and other dignitaries.
• Saturday 1st October 2016 morning [09:00]: 1st Convening of the International Conference pertaining to the Sinking’s of S/S BURDIGALA & HMHS BRITANNIC. Notable and knowledgeable speakers will present topics [indicatively] as:
The Historical Environment of the WW I era
The role of the German U-Boats
The Story of the S/S Burdigala
An account of the various U/W Missions undertaken so far, from the discovery of the wreck in 2008 up to today
Lunch break
The Conference will take place at the new premises of the Kea Events. As a side attraction, a paintings/photo/video Gallery and Memorabilia Exhibition will be set-up [will remain open until the end of the end of Sunday], along with appropriate booth spaces for our Sponsors.
• Saturday 1st October 2016 afternoon [14:30]: After lunch we start the leisure time session with a stop-over at the near-by Folk Museum of Kea. Then we do a guided tour of the The Prehistoric Settlement of Agia Irini antiquities; afterwards a voluntary stroll & coffee in the picturesque Vourkari inner harbor area.
• Saturday 1st October 2016 night [21:00]: Gala dinner for the Delegates, VIP’s, sponsors and local guests, offering an opportunity to taste local food, delicacies, wine and live local music performed by the Kea Youths Ensemble. The reception will be held around the pleasant pool area of the Kea Events premises.
• Sunday 2nd October 2016 morning [09:00]: 2nd Convening of the International Conference pertaining to the Sinking’s of S/S BURDIGALA & HMHS BRITANNIC. Notable and knowledgeable speakers will present topics [indicatively] as:
The story of HMHS Britannic
An account of the various U/W Missions undertaken so far-from the 1975 discovery of HMHS Britannic by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, up to today-and the Challenges involved
A discussion about he future of the two notable shipwrecks
The Challenge of Municipality of Kea and other Stakeholders for promoting the Kea Island as a Unique Diving Destination
Round Table Panel
Conclusions
Lunch
• Sunday 2nd October 2016 afternoon [15:30]: a visit to the gem like Archeological Museum of Kea at the picturesque capital town of Ioulis (plus a stroll and coffee there).
• Sunday 2nd October 2016 evening: Departures from the island to Lavrion Port via ferry-boat. For those who wish to stay on and possibly do some local diving, private arrangements can be made via the services of Kea Divers or Planet Blue Diving Center. For others who may wish to stay on in Greece or depart on Monday 3rd Oct., (i.e. for touring Athens, Delphi, Olympia or visit other islands), private arrangements and assistance can be rendered through our preferred Tourist Agency/partner.
