294 Chapter 11
timbers was found to be between 20 and 30°C. This supported the view that
suppression of microbial activity could be temperature controlled.
Throughout the passive holding period, there was a real risk of bacterial
infection to staff working within the hull environment. Many common aquatic
bacteria are able to colonise man-made water spray systems. Poorly maintained
water systems provide ideal sites for their growth and Legionella pneumophila,
a common aquatic bacteria, was considered a possible hazard. The strategy
adopted to control this bacterium and others was maintenance of low water
temperature, maintaining a clean spray system, carefully monitoring bacter-
ial populations and the selective use of biocides to reduce the growth of slimes.
Adhering to these simple guidelines removed the risk of infection to both
public and staff.
3.7 Reburial
The feasibility of reburial as a storage method for waterlogged archaeological
wood has been fairly well used. The near neutral pH, low Eh and absence of
dissolved oxygen fulfil the requirements assumed by conservators for the
Figure 14Spraying of the hull of the Mary Rose with chilled fresh water