A Dream Come True – Memories of a Coleorton Resident
As far back as my school days I was always interested in history, especially the Tudor period, and over many years had accrued a large collection of books on my favourite subject. So, when the Mary Rose was found in the Solent and small bits of information crept in to the press and T.V., my attention was drawn to it like a magnet. But little was being said in case the site was robbed or vandalised, most of the items raised took place at night-time. This was over a period of five years, but it had started in the 1960’s. I managed to get a few small books on items raised and watched T.V. documentaries by Alexander McKee and Margaret Rule, who were in charge of the project. In one T.V. interview they said they hoped to raise the ship, ‘surely that would be impossible’. But Margaret Rule who had taken control as the Archaeological Director was adamant that the Mary Rose would rise again. Prince Charles became president of The Mary Rose Trust and dived the site several times. Of course, we all watched with baited breath as this Tudor warship rose from the deep where she had lain since 1545.
At this time, I was with the M.O.D. in Essex and several months later I was told by a colleague that my phone was ‘ringing off the hook’, I returned to my office and was informed by a lady, who seemed to be in a hurry, ‘My name is Margaret Rule, and I have been informed that the M.O.D. can help me’. She told me that they had a problem with their cannons, and it was then that a ‘cannon went off in my head’ and I realised who I was talking to! She was a very fast talker and she informed me they had a vast number of cannons and over a period of years had removed all the outer concretion, but were unable to see inside the barrels to see if they still had shot in them. I informed her that we use five foot long rigid ‘boroscopes’ with a light source and cameras on aircraft, this seem to solve her problem. So, within the space of two days, I had seen to all the equipment required, chosen two optical engineers and sent them down to The Mary Rose Trust. I received a personnel phone call from Margaret Rule and an M.O.D. scroll. I felt proud to have done my bit for the Mary Rose!
Marian Walsh
Member of Coleorton Heritage Group
November 2024
About the Mary Rose: The Mary Rose was a warship in the English Tudor navy of King Henry VIII. She was launched in 1511 and served for 34 years in several wars against France, Scotland, and Brittany. After being substantially rebuilt in 1536, she saw her last action on 19 July 1545. She led the attack on the galleys of a French invasion fleet, but sank in the Solent. The wreck of the Mary Rose was located in 1971 and was raised on 11 October 1982 by the Mary Rose Trust in a complex and expensive maritime salvage project. Mary Rose Trust website >>
