The Flowering of the Rose, report on the finding of the wreck Mary Rose

Title

The Flowering of the Rose, report on the finding of the wreck Mary Rose

Transmission details

28 Feb 1979

Description

TRACK 1 from AV1/VR2/S1. The Flowering of The Rose, report on the finding of the wreck Mary Rose. Programme of interviews in the Victory Report Series. Introduction:- The story of the search, the underwater excavation and the recovery of the Tudor warship, the Mary Rose. July 19th, 1545 mustering of troops on Southsea Common to fight French fleet of 235 ships and 30,000 soldiers. Challenged by Henry VIII’s flagship Henry Grace a Dieu. Mary Rose, one of first new ships built by Henry VIII, heavily armed 4 masted carrack, innovation in sea warfare, capsized as moved out, great panic. Sank in mud of Solent to lie there for four centuries. INTERVIEWS 1. MARGARET RULE, archaeological director of the Mary Rose Trust. 1965 ALEXANDER McKEE got together group of divers from Southsea branch of British Sub Aqua Club to look for historic wrecks in Solent. Margaret Rule invited to join team. 1967 Site of Mary Rose identified using sonar. Did not see ship till 1971 because buried in silt when upper silts washed away by tide. Saw boat on her first dive in 1971. 1971 ship surveyed without disturbing mud too much. 1971-8 Dug series of trenches round outside of ship. 1976 large excavation at stern. Discovered ship lay on starboard side at 60 degrees and that side of ship was preserved, due to use of oak pins rather than metal nails. 1976-9 1978 - went inside ship for first time, trench at bow, found two decks with partitions etc., wooden objects etc. By end 1978 knew how much of hull preserved and internal structure in situ Decision then made to form Mary Rose Trust and to fully excavate ship, remove contents and recover empty hull for preservation and display in Portsmouth. Mud in which Mary Rose lay is perfect preservative - remarkably well preserved ship and contents. DEVELOPMENT Over 200 volunteers from all over world, will work all possible hours. Previous year spent 150 man days on bottom. Working across central area removing all objects. 2. RICHARD HARRISON, Executive Director of Mary Rose Trust, responsible for providing permanent resting place for ship and contents. City Council has offered piece of land to west of Fort Cumberland [12-15a.] should be ready to receive ship by 1982. Development of site in stages - First stage 1/4-1/2 million pounds will take a number of years [10-15] to provide substantial living museum, several million pounds. Museum structure needs to be sympathetic to surroundings. 3. HRH PRINCE CHARLES Patron of Mary Rose Trust. Mary Rose important because represents complete cross section of Tudor naval life, also is revolutionary type of vessel, carrying siege guns between decks and new cast iron guns. Enjoys diving although the Solent is not the world’s nicest place to dive - it is awfully murky rather like swimming in lentil soup. Difficult to orientate self to ship. Encounter with skull while swimming round ship - probably a longbowman. Personal thrill, sense of history, connection with Henry VIII. Sees Portsmouth as important centre of maritime history. Fundraising important and necessary. Music: sound of waves Notice of exhibition of Mary Rose artefacts at Southsea Castle. Announcement of winners of Mary Rose competition for video cassette recorder. Reading of winner Mr Rothwell’s essay. See also AV1/VR3/S1. [Box 6]

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Duration

00:34:05

Misc. notes

Track 1 from VR2; Gauge:-1/8 inch tape

Production company

Radio Victory

Extent

1 tape

Credits

Interviewees

Margaret Rule; Richard Harrison; Alexander McKee; Prince Charles

Presenter

Guy Payne