The Tragic Day: July 19, 1545
During the Battle of the Solent, the Mary Rose suddenly sank in shallow waters off Portsmouth.
- Circumstances: Historians debate the exact cause, but prevailing theories include a combination of a sharp turn, heavy wind, and the ship’s gun ports being left open, allowing water to flood the vessel.
- Loss of Life: Approximately 500 men were aboard, and it is estimated that over 400 perished, making it one of England’s worst naval disasters.
Aftermath
- The loss was a devastating blow to the Tudor navy but also a catalyst for improvements in ship design and naval tactics.
Rediscovery and Excavation
The Search for the Mary Rose
For centuries, the shipwreck remained lost beneath the Solent’s waters.
- Initial Interest: Interest in the Mary Rose’s wreck grew in the 19th and early 20th centuries, fueled by historical accounts and local lore.
Underwater Archaeology
- Discovery: The wreck was located in 1971 by marine archaeologist Alexander McKee and his team.
- Excavation: The salvage operation between 1979 and 1982 was one of the most ambitious maritime archaeological projects ever undertaken.
Preservation Challenges
After raising the ship, conservation efforts focused on preventing the deterioration of the timbers and preserving thousands of artifacts recovered from the wreck. shutdown123