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M ELEY · 10th October 2023, 08:59 PM

Exactly, Peter. Unlike the Vasa and ships like the Royal George, where we know what caused them to sink, the Mary Rose remains speculative. You bring up an excellent point about her guns, though. Being such an early ship, her design might very well have had gun hatches too close to the waterline. if any 'loose cannons' were to shift the load, it would be very easy to see her turning too much on that side and the sea coming in.

One of the greatest maritime disastrs of all time was the Royal George, which sank at Spithead in ca. 1782? 1783? Have to look that one up again. She was in port and all of the sailor's and officer's families had come aboard as well as a huge crowd of dignitaries, townsfolk, etc. The crew had been careening the ship earlier and had rolled the cannons on the port side to across deck to lean the vessel. This was a quicker way to do an arduous job, but with over a 1000+ people aboard, she was too heavy and her starboard gunports began to take in water. By the time the alarm was sounded, the massive warship flipped over in the bay, resulting in a massive loss of life. After this accident, there was no more careening using this method!

10th October 2023, 08:59 PM	#20
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,076	Exactly, Peter. Unlike the Vasa and ships like the Royal George, where we know what caused them to sink, the Mary Rose remains speculative. You bring up an excellent point about her guns, though. Being such an early ship, her design might very well have had gun hatches too close to the waterline. if any 'loose cannons' were to shift the load, it would be very easy to see her turning too much on that side and the sea coming in. One of the greatest maritime disastrs of all time was the Royal George, which sank at Spithead in ca. 1782? 1783? Have to look that one up again. She was in port and all of the sailor's and officer's families had come aboard as well as a huge crowd of dignitaries, townsfolk, etc. The crew had been careening the ship earlier and had rolled the cannons on the port side to across deck to lean the vessel. This was a quicker way to do an arduous job, but with over a 1000+ people aboard, she was too heavy and her starboard gunports began to take in water. By the time the alarm was sounded, the massive warship flipped over in the bay, resulting in a massive loss of life. After this accident, there was no more careening using this method! Last edited by M ELEY; 10th October 2023 at 09:01 PM. Reason: Spelling!