The Barber-Surgeonscabinyieldedointmentjars, bottles of medicine, a urethral syringe, a large shaving bowl and smaller bleeding bowl. A silk velvet cap, traditional headgear of the trade, was also found. With very few exceptions, land archaeology usually yields items that had been thrown away or abandoned. By contrast, everything found aboard the Mary Rose was in use and in place when she went down. A diver (right) surveys the broad, well preserved planks of the main deck, timbers that enclose a significant and almost complete piece of the 16th century. When the Mary Rose is raised and displayed ashore, she will provide a rare glimpse into a vanished world.
unguents, glass flasks etc. One turned wood container clearly showed the finger marks of the last person to use the contents nearly 440 years ago. Even the music world was featured with the recovery of a shawm-a popular reed instrument 3 Yi ' long used by professional players in the Tudor era and forerunner of the oboe. The 1981 season saw the excavation of the bow and stern sections of the hull and recovery and recording in situ of many more artifacts including a mariner's compass which will probably prove to be the oldest in existence in the western world. Work on the survey of the hull and preparation for the lift next year also continued. Raising the Hull ¡ A full photographic and film record of all aspects of the project is being made-above water, underwater and ashore, varying from the volunteer diver at work to the research scientist. Recovered artifacts have to be fully recorded, evaluated, and conserved-a formidable task . The shore HQ is housed in an old bond store in Old Portsmourth which has been loaned to the Trust, rent free, for three years. Recently installed is a freeze drying unit with a chamber more than eight feet long and eighteen inches in diameter, which will enable batches of wooden objects, leather items and delicate fabrics to be freeze dried. The problems of conservation of the recovered hull are currently being studied by the National Maritime Museum. The recovery of the hull in 1982 is being studied by naval architects, archaeologists, salvage experts and engineers. When the hull is finally raised, it will be displayed at Portsmouth in a museum site not far from Southsea Castle overlooking the stretch of water where she sank 437 years ago. Once ashore and in the ship hall, the hull will be lifted from its present 60 ° angle to the vertical. Archaeologists will then remove the internal bracing used for the physical recovery and replace the 12
ship's internal structure and deck-planking. This work will be conducted in a controlled environment; nevertheless it is intended that viewing facilities will be provided during this stage of the operation. Gradually the museum complex will expand to ensure that.the Mary Rose, her contents, associated records and research material are fully presented and interpreted. A section will be devoted to the discipline of nautical archaeology as illustrated by the survey, excavation and recovery of the Mary Rose. Financing the Operation The dedicated team-under the overall direction of Richard Harrison, the Trust's Executive Director, and Margaret Rule, the Archaeological Director-relies entirely on gifts in cash and kind for the operation. Donors range from individuals and small private firms to major British and international companies. The total operation culminating in the initial housing of the hull on shore will cost $3 million, of which half has been raised to date. A separate organization called The Mary Rose Development Trust has been created to fund this exciting operation and readers who wish to assist us can make donations direct to The Mary Rose Development Trust, Old Bond Store, 48, Warblington Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire. PLl 2ET, England. An American branch has been formed, providing tax deductibility for US citizens, by Mr. Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., Chairman, Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc., 245 Park Avenue, NY, NY 10167; 212-953-4300. Contributions may also be made through the Ship Trust, NMHS.
* * with their * remarkable preservaWhen finally the silts of Spithead, tion properties, deliver up the secrets of this important ship and those who sailed in her, she will make a tremendous contribution to knowledge of the evolution of the wooden fighting ship and to the education and delight of all those interested in sea history the .t world over. SEA HISTORY, WINTER 1982