----- Forwarded message from "Ferrie, Mark" <m.ferrie@ic.ac.uk> -----

Dear All

My name is Mark Ferrie and I re-enact the 15th century here in the uk. I
selected you all at random on the web and have not had time to search other
countries for contacts. If you can pass this e-mail to any friends in other
countries and states it would be appreciated.

I am writing in the hope that you will support a campaign to save a 15th
century ship from destruction. In 11 days it will be encased in concrete
because some building contractors need to save money. The ship is in
Newport, South Wales. It is UNIQUE and possibly a more important find than
the famous 'Mary Rose' (Henry VIII's flagship).

I hope you will get involved because I believe that heritage is
international. Some would say that the ship is Welsh or British, I say it is
European. I am contacting the USA because of our shared heritage and will
also contact those in New Zealand, Canada etc. The ship itself is truly
international, it sailed between Britain, Spain and Portugal (coins found on
board). It is truly OUR ship.

Of course I am also contacting you because we all share a love of medieval
history and this international treasure should be important to all of us.

To see the ship hit:
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/sosnewport http://www.saveourship.org.uk

To voice your support and protest the destruction contact:

The Arts Council for Wales: information@ccc-acw.org.uk
The National Assembly for Wales: jenny.randerson@wales.gov.uk
Newport City Council: harry.jones@newport.gov.uk
Cadw (heritage agency): cadw@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Department of Culture Media and Sport: tessa.jowell@culture.gsi.gov.uk

Please voice your support and help SAVE OUR SHIP!

Many thanks

Mark Ferrie

--------------------

_______________

I heard on the BBC last night that Newport council, surprised by the huge international interest, has decided to preserve the ship where it is. That is to say they have found an additional 3 million pounds to build a basement around it. The ship will be on general view. According to the report, they have found portuguese coins and pottery and lumps of cork on board, which makes me suspect it had just come back from Portugal (?)around 1460.

--------------------

Thanks for bringing this to everyones attention. As someone very interested in Naval architecture, and archaeology of ships, I think it is very important to preserve a find like this. I hope more can be done to preserve his ship in future, as it sounds that the temporary fix will eventualy lead to the disintegration of the remains - but it is better than having it destroyed in place.

To the best of my knowledge, this is the most intact 15th century vessel found - rather sad, considering 3 14th century cogs from the Hanse (probably) exist - one up to her main deck, only missing fore & aft castle.

While the current thought regarding naval archaeology is to preserve wrecks in place, and study them on site, I am of the opinion that an example from this era is so rare as to qualify for the expense of preservation on land in a museum where it can be studied. Hopefully one day a more intac example of a carrack will be found and preserved.

While brigs, schooners, sloops, and ships of 17th - 19th century manufacture abound in the study of naval archaeology, and it would indeed be impossible to raise and preserve them all (even though some in the great lakes are in essence as sunk, with riging largely intact), a ship of this vintage and type is rare enough to deserve special atttention. I hope she gets said attention someday.

Were I as rich as Crossus, I would forward the cash for the project myself, and also have a replica of her built to test her sailing qualities.

--------------------

--------------------