World history: New museum for unique 16th c. ship

The UK has launched work on the most ambitious heritage construction project seen in Europe this decade. On the 28th anniversary of the raising of the Mary Rose ship, work to secure the future of King Henry VIII’s favourite ship has started as part of a contract to build the new Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Mary Rose – is an only one 16th c. ship in the world accessible for all comers. Built between 1509 and 1511, she was one of the first ships able to fire a broadside, and was a favourite of King Henry VIII (1509−1547). After a long and successful career, she sank during an engagement with the French fleet in 1545. Her rediscovery and raising were seminal events in the history of nautical archaeology.

The build is a major step in the final chapter in the conservation of the great ship, a painstaking process which began in 1982.  The museum, scheduled for completion in autumn 2012, will reunite the Mary Rose with the majority of the 19,000 beautifully preserved artefacts recovered with her, to present visitors with an unparalleled experience of Tudor life.

“The museum will represent the very best in 21st century architecture and construction, providing a beautiful and secure environment for the finest collection of 16th century artefacts in the world”, - Philippe Jouy, one of the project’s participants, said.