Portsmouth Students Save Historic Mary Rose Salvage Footage

Portsmouth Students Save Historic Mary Rose Salvage Footage

bbc.com

Portsmouth Students Save Historic Mary Rose Salvage Footage

University of Portsmouth students are digitizing over 600 fragile tapes showing the 1982 Mary Rose salvage, including previously unseen footage of cannon discoveries, to preserve a crucial historical record before the tapes' deterioration leads to irreversible data loss.

English
United Kingdom
Arts And CultureScienceDigitizationHistorical FootageMary RoseSalvageTudorPortsmouth University
University Of PortsmouthMary Rose MuseumBbc
Simon MarksCharlie WattsOliver WibewJames WattsAlastair MilesDominic JonesHenry Viii
What is the immediate impact of digitizing the Mary Rose salvage footage?
University of Portsmouth students are digitizing over 600 deteriorating tapes containing unique underwater footage of the Mary Rose salvage operation in 1982. This 40-year-old archive, at risk of being lost, captures the discovery of historical items like cannons, offering a diver's perspective unseen for decades. The project is described as a race against time due to the tapes' vulnerability.
How does this project connect past and present perspectives on the Mary Rose?
The digitization project connects the historical significance of the Mary Rose with modern-day preservation efforts. The footage, some never viewed since 1982, provides a unique perspective on the salvage operation, enriching the Mary Rose Museum's narrative. This initiative highlights the importance of archival preservation and the role of technology in historical storytelling.
What are the long-term implications of preserving this unique historical video archive?
This project's success ensures the preservation of a vital historical record, adding new layers to the Mary Rose narrative and enhancing its accessibility. The involvement of students, some the same age as the Mary Rose crew when it sank, creates a powerful intergenerational connection to the past, signifying the ongoing relevance of maritime history. The digital archive's future accessibility ensures broader engagement and research opportunities.

Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty Positive
Indirect Relevance

The project provides valuable work experience and skills development opportunities for students, potentially enhancing their future employment prospects and contributing to poverty reduction.