2.1 Special Problems of Underwater Recovery
The usual scenario is that the exposed wreck site is discovered by divers,
either accidentally or as a result of research. The team then try to identify and
record the wreck and some objects are recovered to aid the process of identi-
fication and brought ashore. At some stage the finds and the site are reported;
in the UK this would be to the Receiver of Wreck and eventually to English
Heritage. If the site is thought to be of importance a team of professional div-
ing archaeologists will visit the site, eventually the site may be designated as
being of importance under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.
If the original team of divers is lucky they may have the unpaid assistance
of professional archaeologists and conservators who will advise them from
an early stage. They may also decide to apply for their ‘wreck’ to be desig-
nated with the approval of their team as licensees. A programme of work has
to be submitted before the application for a licence will be approved and
among other requirements there is the requirement for a nominated archaeolo-
gist and a conservator. A difficulty arises if the team (or the Ministry) requires
the archaeologist to work full-time alongside the amateur team whenever the
amateur team is on site. That would mean that the archaeologist would have
to be paid and, as they would then be a diver at work, they would need pro-
fessional diving qualifications, insurance and the support of professional
divers as backup. The responsibilities and the costs rise beyond the budget of
a team of vocational diving archaeologists. In the face of this it is inevitable
that some sites will not be reported.
2.2 The Raising of the Mary Rose: A Case Study
The Mary Rosewas discovered (see Figures 1 and 2), surveyed, excavated
and recovered using a pre-designed floating programme of work that could
be adjusted and cut if circumstances changed. It was recognised that any dis-
turbance of the seabed would threaten the physical integrity of the wreck and
plans were made accordingly. From the beginning of the search phase in
1967, there was an archaeologist in the team and advice on conservation was
always available on request from Portsmouth City Museum and scientists at
Portsmouth Polytechnic (now the University of Portsmouth).
Objects, including large guns, were recovered from the sea prior to the for-
mation of the Mary RoseTrust in 1979, and they were taken to the conservation
laboratories of the City Museum the same day. Close planning and liaison
with the people providing equipment to lift the guns from the wreck site and
take them ashore, the road transport and the museum staff were essential. Once
the operation became full-time in 1979, the Mary RoseTrust, a charity and a
company limited by guarantee, was formed to excavate and, if feasible and
4 Chapter 1