Materials scientist Eleanor Schofield on the challenges of studying and protecting ancient wooden warships, and the enlightening process of conserving the mighty Mary Rose.
In July 1545, King Henry VIII watched from Southsea Castle on England’s south coast as his fleet sailed out to face the French – only to witness his prized warship, the Mary Rose, sink before his eyes. Raised from the Solent in 1982, the ship is now the centrepiece of the Mary Rose Museum, along with thousands more artefacts that were recovered from the seabed. But keeping the 500-year-old ship and its associated Tudor relics in good condition is no small task, which is where Dr Eleanor Schofield comes in. As Director of Collections at the Mary Rose Trust and a materials engineer by training, Eleanor has spent years tackling the unique scientific challenges of conserving centuries-old wood and metal. From the United States to Portsmouth, Eleanor’s research is helping ensure this iconic vessel remains ‘ship-shape’ for generations to come. In a special edition of The Life Scientific, recorded in front of an audience at the museum in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyards, Professor Jim Al-Khalili discovers how cutting-edge science is keeping history afloat.
