The Mary Rose Meets a Ghastly Demise.

The Mary Rose Meets a Ghastly Demise.

There could have been as many as 700 men aboard the Mary Rose as the renovated ship sailed forth to battle against the French in 1545 during the reign of King Henry VIII. This was the Battle of the Solent and the French were attempting to invade England. 

The much-loved ship was over 30 years of age. She had been built at the beginning of Henry VIII's reign. She was the pride of the English navy and had seen much service during her 30 plus years.

A renovation programme to modernize her was embarked upon. Many believe the work contributed to the disaster that would make Mary Rose famous. Also for every ten fighting men aboard the ship, one could add an extra tonne in weight. With the upper decks crammed with soldiers, many below the boarding repellent netting, one can imagine the possible ways the disaster would unfold.

By 1545 England was nearing the end of the king's almost 38-year reign. (1509 - 1547) The famous and infamous old king was present during the terrible event. He and his entourage were watching from land as the ships sailed out of the Solent to engage the French navy in battle. The Mary Rose was at the head of the fleet, bristling with new guns and a formidable force of soldiers ready to board the French ships.

As the freshly renovated Mary Rose came about, she keeled over as a strong gust of wind caught her sails. Her new and lower gun ports were open and ready for action. No doubt cannons ready to fire upon the French enemy. As the ship listed further than expected, experts in history and marine engineering believe the ships lower gunports allowed the sea to come through into the vessel that was already overweight with soldiers.

The centre of gravity shifted and the Mary Rose listed more. In moments the grand ship slid lower as more seawater cascaded into the vessel. All aboard would have struggled against the extreme listing but in vain. It all happened so quickly as the many hundreds of men went down with the ship. Around 25 sailors in the upper rigging were all that survived the sinking. One moment the ship was sailing into action and the next she was sliding under the sea with a mass of panicking men contained in the hold and unable to get off the doomed vessel.  

The French invasion was not successful, but the loss of the Mary Rose was a bitter manifestation for the English and their king. The last moments of this ship's life would immortalise her in history. Had she survived the battle, the ship would have faded and been virtually unknown.

The wreck of the Mary Rose was raised and is now in a museum at Portsmouth.