The raising of the Mary Rose has made her one of the most famous ships
in history, but what was she actually like in her heyday? This book,
based around letters from her days of active service, brings the Mary
Rose vividly to life. The letters give an extended flavour of what it
was like to serve on her, or to be involved with her supply and
maintenance, between her launch in 1511 and that fateful day in 1545.
Most of them were written aboard the ship by the commanding admirals and
many details are revealed about her day-to-day operation at sea and the
various engagements in which she was involved. Also included are the
main contemporary accounts of the sinking, including a conversation with
one of the few survivors. Forty years on from being raised from the
seabed and to a new life as a premier visitor attraction, the documents
and images presented here allow the reader to experience life on the
seas hundred of years ago.