The Mary Rose was built in Portsmouth and launched in 1511. She was fast and modern - Henry VIII was very proud of her. He named her after his favourite sister, Mary, and the Tudor emblem, the Rose.
The Mary Rose was built in Portsmouth and launched in 1511. She was fast and modern - Henry VIII was very proud of her. He named her after his favourite sister, Mary, and the Tudor emblem, the Rose.
The Story of the Mary Rose
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On July 19 1545 the English fleet sailed out of Portsmouth to fight off the French. There are lots of ideas about why the Mary Rose sank, but no-one is quite sure. Only about 30 men survived from her crew of over 400 men.
Divers found the wreck of the Mary Rose in 1971 and archaeologists excavated her for 10 years. The ship had been buried under the mud for 437 years!
This protected things made from leather, wood and bronze, but many objects made from iron, fabric and horn had rotted away. 25,000 artefacts were brought ashore!
On October 11 1982 over 60 million people watched on TV as Henry VIII's warship was brought to the surface again.
To conserve the timbers of the Mary Rose they were washed in clean water for 12 years. Since then they have been sprayed with a special mixture of wax and water to make them stronger. When that is finished the wood will be dried out, and the Mary Rose will be preserved forever.