Cannon and ammunition on display
Club , then the Mary Rose has had an impact on your life . Now the NAS delivers courses all over the world . It certainly builds on the shoulders of giants , and the Mary Rose had a big part to play in helping us ‘ take it further .’
In the audience were so many divers who had watched the ship come up , on television , at school , and who remembered that horrid crunch . Watching the raising led them into learning to dive . Some waited 20 or more years , but are now running large branches , and doing really exciting wreck research projects . Some who have been inspired by the story or have gone to visit the ship with all her artefacts or have simply enjoyed their diving . Just being underwater makes them happy .
Alexander McKee of Southsea BSAC , who discovered the wreck
For others , the chance to do maritime science has been a spinoff from visiting the Ship Hall and thinking about the massive conservation issues involved in recovering material from the sea . BSAC members have benefitted from advice from conservators inspired by the complex issues of conserving the hull and her artefacts .
Others have gone on to do academic courses , others into teaching , sending their own students out to become archaeologists , or work in heritage organisations .
So ! The question was ‘ Should we have raised the Mary Rose ?’ To my mind , the answer is Yes !
It has value above just financial cost , huge though it was and continues to be . The discovery by Alexander McKee , the excavation involving a really groundbreaking mix of professional archaeologists and volunteer divers , the recovery , conservation , and display has been inspirational .
We have learnt so much about all things Tudor , and the debate and learning still continues .
We cannot quantify the value of the finding , raising , and displaying the ship and its contents when we move away from the
money . So , my answer to a slight change in the question – would you raise the ship now in 2022 ?
My response was that I hope I would have the ability to see 40 years into the future , to see all the good things that would happen because she was searched for , discovered and raised for conservation and display , and that the recreational diver would continue to be a major force in the discovery and understanding of wrecks and what can be learned while we enjoy our hobby .
Over 500 divers helped to raise the Mary Rose . Without the input of so many competent hardworking avocational ( amateur ) divers this story would never have been written . BSAC divers are still such a force for good , explorers , recorders , investigators , and guardians of what we recognise as special .
2023 will bring a new year of diving . What will you find , record or research ? What wrecks will be your first-time discovery , and how will you record that ?
Whatever happens , do enjoy your discoveries in 2023 . Fin on the shoulders of diving giants from 40 years ago , and go and see the Mary Rose , the wooden wreck that started so much . �
The new Mary Rose Museum opened in 2013
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