Yes, that’s right, I found the Mary Rose. Well that is to say me and Able Seaman Swinfield did, and actually we didn’t know we had discovered the most famous shipwreck in Britain until months later. Even so, there I was at the start of the greatest marine archaeology project of the 20th Century. So how did I get involved I hear you ask. Well it all started in 1968 with a direct order from our diving officer Lt. Commander Bax (of Bovisand fame) I was then a Royal Marine ships diver on H.M.S.Rhyl then stationed at Portsmouth on Channel Guard duties. Bax had invited this bloke Alexander McKee on board to talk to us about the Mary Rose, and unknown to us had volunteered us to do some diving for him the following weekends.
Now we had all heard of McKee, and knew about his project. In fact just about everybody on the South Coast did. He had been banging on about discovering the Mary Rose for years and everybody, including us (who had never met him before) were quite happy to write him off as a harmless bore. However to spend a rare free evening listening to him droning on about the Mary Rose was not a very inviting prospect, and we all trooped into the lecture room that evening in low spirits. On came McKee, big hair, big beard, tweed coat, and launched straight in without even a good evening, as if frightened we would scarper if he gave us the slightest chance. It was a revelation. He was supposed to speak for forty minutes but ended up staying most of the evening to answer our questions. He told the story of the Mary Rose as if it had happened yesterday and brought the whole period to life. He was passionate in his belief that he knew where the wreck was (which turned out to be exactly where all those experts told him it could not possibly be) but he didn’t rant about the unfairness of it all, just exuded a determination to find and raise the wreck.
Sometimes you hear somebody speaking, and you just know that he understands absolutely what he is talking about. Thats what we all felt that night about McKee, and we all volunteered to help. The next weekend we were out in an open whaler whilst McKee and his mates pored over a sonar chart that Bax had got the Navy to help compile. The weather was dreadful. It rained all the time and there was a sick making swell. The idea was to stick an instrument into some of the mounds that the sonar had found, to see if they contained any wood or were just silt and mud. I carried the fatefull instrument and Winfield stuck it in the mound (under my direction of course) Up top the machine whirred and beeped and bits of paper went round and round. Much later it was found that that mound contained some wooden wreckage.
Yes its true, I can now reveal that it was I (well alright, we) that found the Mary Rose. I did not know of my triumph for some time as by then H.M.S.Rhyl had crossed the Atlantic and was chasing Cuban rebels all the way down the Bahamas chain. But eventually we were told. Of course our part was down played, even forgotten. Fame was not to come calling. But McKee, who was keen on what we had done had kept in touch with Lt.Commander Bax and had given us a copy of the trace, showing the fateful mound.
When the Mary Rose was finally raised all those years later, I was watching it live on the telly with my Mum. As it started to break the surface I turned to her and said, ‘I was the first one to find that wreck you know’ ‘Did you son’ she replied absently. ‘What would you like for your tea?’
McKee is long gone now, but that chance encounter gave me a lifelong fascination with shipwrecks and their stories, and made me realise, that whilst the glory is nice while it lasts, the stories go on for ever.
Phil Stock says
Swinfield was a buddy, I was a Gemini cox’n for the Marine detachment on the Rhyl. And remember Mitchell (corporal?). Bax taught me to dive (as the Rhyl was off to the Caribbean).
Wow 40 years have passed if your in touch with either please pass my e-mail on to them.
Graham (Charlie) Charlton says
Hi Peter
Just stumbled on your website, I was one of the team fron HMS Rhyl who discovered the Mary Rose. Had a dive that day but only found a few crusty lumps of wood sticking a few inches out of the seabed.
It was a very cold miserable day as I remember and if I remember correctly we run the boat aground on the way back.
If you look at the ships photo I’m the good looking one second right on the front row, others were RM Harry Wragg, on the right back row, next to you on your right. is PO Nobby Clark. Front row left Buster Brown, and Bill Swinfield, they went on to become CD’s. I did a short while in Vernon then was drafted to Hong Kong to join HMS Maxton/Beechhampton.
I’m still diving although don’t do much in the UK now, I’m getting too long in the tooth to put up with the cold.
I’d be pleased to hear from anyone if you would like to pass on my email.
Jock Buchanan says
Can you clear something up, I worked with same Diving Company as Harry Wragg and the late Dave (Tansy) Lee, Solus Schall later to become Solus Ocean Systems. Rightly or wrongly I thought that the late Dave Lee RN CD was also on the team which discovered the Mary Rose.
I would appreciate an answer as I have recently been in touch with the son of Dave some 37 years following his loss in a diving accident in the Gulf of Suez in 1975. His son is in the process of looking into his Father’s career in the RN & Solus and it would be great for him to know if his Dad actually took part in the job. Many thanks Jock Buchanan
Paul Roper says
Whilst much of what you have said above is very true. It must be remembered that the Southsea branch of The British Sub Aqua club did a lot of diving and clearing of the site for many years prior to the professional doing any work on site.
Keith Gordon says
My Grandfather was Edward Towse son of William Wrench Towse. I understand one of the Divers on the Mary Rose was a John Towse, Any information?
Morrie Young says
John Towse lives near Portchester Castle and was one of four divers from the Southsea Branch of the British Sub Aqua Club who, together with Alexander McKee, were the first divers in modern times to dive on the site in 1966. No timbers were showing above the seabed at that time and were not seen until May 1971. Read “How we found the Mary Rose” by Alexander McKee. You can then read the true account of how the wreck was found and who found it.
Wendy A says
I LOVE the internet. Thank you Peter for your memories of the discovery of The Mary Rose. My father was a long time member of the ‘Southsea Bubbles’ and is features in the book Morrie Young mentions. Although he only went to the site a few times. Don Bullivant (a close family friend) was more involved (along with John Towse), and I believe still gives lectures to this day on the work the club did pre the Mary Rose Trust and Margaret Rule coming along. (NB Peter I will copy and print off this page for my father to read as he is an avid memory collector!)
john swinfield says
I have only just come across this. As an author and maritime historian I am fascinated that Able Seaman Swinfield played such a role. Please note my name. I would be grateful if you or AS Swinfield would get in touch with me. You can see who I am on johnswinfield.com
Graham Charlton says
John Swinfield
Are you related to Bill In anyway ? He was a good friend of mine for many years in the RN and after haven’t seen him for around 20 year
William Swinfield says
Hi Charlie and co, this is Bill now 70 years old and no longer diving – hardly walking really! Email me
William Swinfield says
billswinfield@gmail.com
Krissie Fisher says
Wonderful to read first hand accounts. Thank you. Quick question: At what depth was the Mary Rose found?