Dorset Freemasonry .
The Worshipful Master of Dorset Masters’ Lodge, Clive Deakin accompanied by Terry Case, their Charity Steward, attended a particularly enjoyable Regular Meeting of the New Forest Lodge of Installed Masters, no.9665. In attendance was Geoffrey Tuck, Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire & Isle of Wight accompanied by Officers of that Province.
The highlight of the meeting was an illustrated and inter-active presentation on ‘A Sailor’s Life (and death) on the Mary Rose!’. This highly interesting talk on life aboard Henry VIII’s Flagship was presented by Trevor Sapey, Community Engagement Outreach and Access Officer from The Mary Rose Trust.
The Mary Rose was one of the largest ships in the King’s navy and one of the earliest examples of a purpose-built sailing warship. The ship had been at sea for 34-years (the same number of years since her raising!) before she sank in the Solent whilst leading an attack on the French Navy off the Isle of Wight.
Brethren were invited to consider the cause of the ship’s demise and four theories were suggested:
– sunk by the French
– poor design with gun ports too close (a mere 18-inches) to the waterline
– poor communication amongst the crew, some of whom were believed to be Spanish
– weight distribution on the ship as crew moved across the ship to pay respects to the King
The Mary Rose sank within 20-minutes and Trevor expanded on each theory with balanced reasoning leaving Brethren to consider their own conclusion. The wreck of the Mary Rose was rediscovered in 1971 and salvaged in 1982 by the Mary Rose Trust in a complex and expensive project.
The surviving section of the ship and thousands of recovered artefacts, which include weapons, sailing equipment, naval supplies and objects used by the crew are of immeasurable value in providing historic insight into life in Tudor times.
Brethren were given the opportunity to handle and inspect a number of artefacts rescued from the Mary Rose, including wood platters, pewter tableware, metal and bronze tools, wooden implements, cannon ball and measuring gauge, a section of 600-years old oak and a length of anchor rope.
It quickly became apparent that not only was Trevor a talented and knowledgeable historian, but there was far more to his presentation than time permitted and a visit to the Mary Rose and award-winning museum at Portsmouth was essential to providing information than could not be covered on this occasion.
The first photograph shows, left to right: David Mauleverer, Worshipful Master of Bournemouth and District Masters’ Lodge, Geoffrey Tuck, Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Trevor Sapey, Community Engagement Outreach and Access Officer, The Mary Rose Trust and Clive Deakin our Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Master of Dorset Masters’ Lodge.
