Dog Skeleton From Mary Rose Displayed In Portsmouth

[Steve]

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?act=...w_post&f=63

A dog which sailed aboard the Mary Rose ship 465 years ago is to take up residence in the Mary Rose Museum at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The animal's skeleton, which has been reconstructed by staff at the Mary Rose Trust, will go on display from Friday 26 March.

The dog was discovered trapped in the sliding door of the carpenter's cabin of the Mary Rose, which sank in 1545.

The dog, named Hatch by museum staff, was probably used as a ratter.

'Expert analysis'

Tudor seafarers did not allow cats on board ship as they were thought to bring bad luck.

John Lippiett, chief executive of the Mary Rose Trust, said: "Expert analysis of Hatch's bones suggests that she spent most of her short life within the close confines of the ship.

"It is likely that the longest walks she took were along the quayside at Portsmouth, her home town."

The Mary Rose sank in 1545 at the Battle of the Solent.

Well-preserved artefacts including clothing, jewellery, furniture, musical instruments, medical equipment and weapons were discovered when the vessel was raised in 1982.

A new museum to house the Mary Rose Collection is planned for 2012. It will also display the preserved hull of the ship.

[Kissindra]

Interesting, though I did wince a little at the name choice.