This volume is concerned primarily with a detailed description of the Mary Rose and how she operated as a functional warship. Commencing with a discussion of the place of the Mary Rose in the development of warships; her recovery and recording are described and the method by which she has been reconstructed on paper. Evidence is presented for how the ship was designed and built and how the timbers were fashioned. The structure of the ship and her rigging as she was in 1545 are described deck by deck and lavishly illustrated, including reconstructed deck plans. Operational aspects such as steering, mooring, anchoring, the ship's boats, navigation and the removal of water are discussed. A summary of the ship's armaments is provided and her fighting capabilities considered. Evidence for how the ship was altered during her use, and how she might be reconstructed as a whole, are examined and the nature of and reasons for her sinking reviewed. The volume concludes with a summary of some principal areas of research that remain to be addressed.

About the Author

Peter Marsden is one of Britain's leading experts in maritime archaeology. He has been responsible for excavating a number of important shipwrecks, most notably in the Thames. He is currently Director of the Shipwreck Heritage Centre in Hastings.