The Mary Rose sank during the Battle of the Solent, a confrontation between French and English troops on the Isle of Wight, as well as a face-off between their respective fleets in the Solent between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth.
How many shipwrecks are in the Solent?
The trail takes in four wrecks dating from 1881 through to 1978.
Where in the Solent did the Mary Rose sink?
During the Battle of the Solent on July 19, 1545, the Mary Rose sank in a strait of the English Channel. According to an eyewitness account, after firing at the French fleet, the Mary Rose was attempting to turn when it was blown onto its side by a gust of wind.
Where did the Mary Rose ship sink?
the Solent
On 19th July 1545, while Henry VIII watched, the Mary Rose sank very quickly, in the Solent, between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. The Mary Rose was part of an English fleet trying to stop the French ships landing on the Isle of Wight, but sank before firing a single shot.
How many people died on the Mary Rose?
500
Because their ships were bigger, they were more exposed to our cannon attack. Our ability to use oars also meant we were able to move and gain an advantage. Our luck lasted an hour, and in that time the Mary Rose was sunk by our cannon fire. Out of 500 or 600 men, only 35 survived.
How deep is the sea in the Solent?
Depths range from 6 to 160 feet, with such elongated banks as the Varne and the Ridge greatly constricting shipping lanes. Because the English Channel, unlike the Irish or North seas, lay beyond the action of Pleistocene glaciers, superficial deposits are either very thin (three feet or less) or entirely absent.
Are there any sharks in the Solent?
The Solent and Wight area has been highlighted as a shark and ray hotspot and provides a pupping ground for smoothhound, tope and possibly thresher shark. The area also provides a nursery ground for a number of other shark and ray species.
Were bodies found on the Mary Rose?
The bones of a total of 179 individuals were found during the excavations of the Mary Rose, including 92 fairly complete skeletons. Analysis has shown that all were male, and most of them were young adults. Some were in fact no more than 13 years old, and up to 80% were under 30.
Why is it called the Solent?
The exact origins of the name Solent are lost in the mists of time, but it is thought that it may be a bird place-name reflecting the congregations of the Northern Gannet or Solan Goose around the coast.
How did Mary Rose sink so quickly?
A French cavalry officer present at the battle stated that the Mary Rose had been sunk by French guns. A cannonball low in the hull would enable water to flood in, making the ship unstable and leading to her sinking. Perhaps that was why the ship turned so suddenly.
What was the oldest sunken ship ever found?
The Dokos shipwreck
The Dokos shipwreck is the oldest underwater shipwreck discovery known to archeologists. The wreck has been dated to the second Proto-Helladic period, 2700–2200 BC.
What happened to the bodies on the Mary Rose?
Remains of just over a third of the crew have been found, with the rest lost to the sea. The men on board the ship included officers, soldiers, gunners and mariners. Many of those whose remains were recovered were found in groups, making it difficult to identify individuals by physical observation alone.
What caused the Lady Mary to sink?
The vessel shows a great deal of damage to the stern, the dredge ramp, rudder, and propeller. The cause of the sinking was officially determined to be flooding of the lazarette – the small stern-most compartment that contains the steering gear.
Is the Mary Rose still sprayed with water?
So, in 1994, the conservation team began to spray the wreckage with polyethylene glycol, a wax that penetrated the wood and replaced the water. Once the levels of penetration were high enough, they could turn off the spray, as they did on April 29, 2013, after 19 years, and allow the ship to dry.
How many bows were found on the Mary Rose?
137 whole bows were found on the Mary Rose. The bowmen would have to quite tall to use one of these bows, which had an average length of 1.98 metres.
What did they spray the Mary Rose with?
After its excavation, the Mary Rose was initially put into passive storage and constantly kept moist with chilled water. It was then then sprayed with a polymer called polyethylene glycol (PEG).
Are there tunnels under the Solent?
THE SOLENT TUNNEL – In boring at Stene Point, the depth of 150 feet has been reached, more than 90 of which is clay. They have now come upon sand, but are continuing the operations.
Can you swim across the Solent?
Swim routes
In the Western Solent the only practical cross Solent swim is from Hurst Castle to Colwell Bay on the island. Here the distance is only just over a mile but the tide is critical, with only about a 30 min stand when the current is sufficiently low to allow the swim.
Are there dolphins in the Solent?
The inshore habitat instead attracts dolphins and porpoises. While it is always possible for a wayfaring whale to drop by for a visit, you’re far more likely to see these three species: the short-beaked common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, and the harbour porpoise.
What sea creatures are in the Solent?
The Solent is a special place, with endless surprises just beneath its surface. There are vast seagrass meadows and intricate chalk reefs, as well as fascinating species like seahorses, thresher sharks, and cuttlefish. Our project Secrets of the Solent is shining a spotlight on this vibrant marine environment.
How many people have swum the Solent?
400 people
The Solent Swim is one of the main fundraising events for the Centre and since our first event in 2010, more than 400 people have swum the Solent and raised over £200,000 for the charity.