PORTSMOUTH, UK (13 August 2004) -- A three-week exploration searching for the missing quarter of the Tudor warship Mary Rose has been extended. The team of maritime archaeologists diving on the wreck site had originally planned to be finished by Friday, but will now continue for five more days. They say they have been amazed by the number and quality of timbers found. Divers will spend the extra time wrapping timbers they have been unable to bring to the surface and covering them again with silt. They have found large sections of the bow section of the vessel, which broke off from the rest of the ship. The Mary Rose Trust - which is coordinating the exploration - has a limited number of tanks in which to store the delicate timbers. Many of the larger pieces will be reburied to be recovered at a later date. "We've found much more than we ever expected," said David Childs of the Mary Rose Trust. | | Artist's impression of Henry VIII's flagship, with bowcastle intact, about 50 years after she sank. Picture by Maritime Archaeologist Dr Jon Adams. "After Wednesday the real jigsaw puzzle starts - the team will have to sit down and brainstorm through what they have found." The Ministry of Defence is likely to dredge a deep channel through Portsmouth harbour in order to accommodate the new super-size aircraft carriers. SOURCE - BBC |
