Portsmouth - Mary Rose Ship Hall and Exhibition

The "Mary Rose", which formed part of the fleet of Henry VIII, is a ship of great historical interest. This four-decker boat, with its 91 bronze cannons, was built in 1509-10 from best Hampshire oak and enlarged to 700 tons in 1536. In 1545, during a sea battle against the French, it sank just a mile and a quarter from its home port. The sea was so rough during this battle that water entered the upper deck of the vessel through the cannon covers and within a short space of time the "Mary Rose" sank to the bottom of the Solent. In 1836 the first divers went down to look for the frigate, and from 1965 onwards the explorations were intensified. Finally, on October 11th 1982, the Tudor ship was lifted from the sea-bottom.