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MARITIME
BRITAIN
July 1 -16, 1983 In recognition of a Maritim e Britain , you are invited to participate in a special tour of Southern Britain's maritime Heritage, from London to Land's End. There will be time to see old ships (many now restored), Maritime museums, and historic sites, as well as many of the charming small ports, seaside spas and modern naval and trade centers. We will also visit some of the most beautiful inland cities of the south, and participate in a day's sailing hosted by a local sailing club. An itinerary with full details will be sent upon request. Contact Tim McBreen at: OCEANIC SOCIETY EXPEDITIONS Fort Mason, Bldg. E, San Francisco, California 94123 (415) 441-1106
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How We Found The Mary Rose, by Alexander McKee (Souvenire Press Ltd ., 43 Great Russell Street, London WCIB 3PA , UK , 152pp, illus, hardback ÂŁ8.95, paperback ÂŁ5.95 ; St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Ave., New York NY 10010, USA , $14.95) . One of the principal events of maritime archaeology in the 20th century is well recounted in this report by its leading actor. The profusely illustrated narrative deals with the fascinating story of the Tudor warship Mary Rose from her launching in 1510 until the recovery of her hull from the depths of the Solent in October 1982, under the eyes of Prince Charles, President of the Trust which had helped to save her. Alexander McKee was probably the first person to realize the possibility, some 20 years ago, that a major part of the Tudor hull might have survived under the silt of the Solent. His book chronicles his careful research into her building and launching, (and rebuilding in 1536), and follows her general history which terminated so abrutly with her foundering , under the eyes of her Sovereign, Henry VIII , when advancing to attack the French on that fateful day in July 1545, carrying with her practically her whole complement-in excess of 600 souls. The hull became buried under the silt of the Solent, and lost until a diver working on the Royal George in the late 1830s chanced upon a nearby wreck , resulting in the recovery of cannon from the time of Henry VIII and other evidence of the Mary Rose. This aroused some interest, but was soon lost sight of, and it was not until the early 1960s that Alexander McKee, in the early days of the British Sub-Aqua Club, became convinced that the ship might still exist under the seabed. He instituted a long drawn-out search utilizing modern diving, sonar and other techniques not available to former explorers. These early operations were carried out with miniminal financial backing, and it is a credit to the author and his small team of enthusiasts that they kept going until , after some years, their efforts were rewarded by positive proof that the ancient hull still survived , the recovery of yet another Tudor gun being conclusive. McKee goes on to relate how the recovery operations built up with growing public awareness and support from the early '70s onwards-years, in his own words of " unremitting toil" for himself and his team-until in 1979, with growing prospects of success, Prince Charles became President of the Mary Rose Trust. In the concluding chapters, he recalls the large-scale salvage operations which culminated in October 1982, when, despite severe last-minute setbacks and
what might well have been another disaster, the remains of the Mary Rose were successfully lifted clear of her watery grave, placed on a barge, and towed back into Portsmouth Harbour, her home port, whence she had sailed to meet the French 437 years before. JAMES FORSYTHE
Major Forsythe is Hon. Secretary and Trustee of the World Ship Trust and President of the Norfolk i:t'herry Trust. Great Lakes Maritime History: Bibliography and Sources of Information, by Charles E . and Jeri Baron Feltner (Seajay Publications, PO 2176, Dearborn MI48123, 1982.112pp.,illus.,$11.20 postpaid). It was more than three hundred years ago when the first European explorers sailed the world's largest cumulative body of freshwater, the Great Lakes. These " inland seas " have been the scene of a remarkable heritage that focuses on man ' s interaction with water resources . The development of shipbuilding, shipping, and marine related commerce is a matter of record scattered in thousands of primary and secondary source research material. Only a person familiar with professional research techniques has been able, in the past, to find and utilize the uncountable sources of information that exist so that these histories can be reconstructed. But history takes on its full meaning when it becomes accessible to all those interested in what it has to offer. Dr. Charles Feltner and his wife Jeri quote Sir Winston Churchill in the preface of Great Lakes Maritime History: ''I contend my friend, it is better to do something rather than nothing, while waiting to do everything." In their new book, the Feltners have done something all right. .. they ' ve made a previously recondite regional history accessible to the public. The book, an attractive piece of work, contains a good table of contents, a few historic photos, historic engravings, and nineteenth century advertising reprints. A short appendix explains the methodology used to put the book together. The index, arranged by author, is helpful. Subjects covered include reference works, ship history, Great Lakes history, shipbuilding and ship construction. Feltner has been very active in recent years documenting Great Lakes shipwrecks through actual exploration efforts . The chapter on bibliography resources for shipwreck history is strong and helpful. This book illustrates the need to focus more intensely on Great Lakes marine
SEA HIS1DRY, SUMMER 1983