National treasure likely to be lost

The Mary Rose, flagship of Henry VIII and a national treasure could soon be lost.

the warning was raised by the team that helped to raise the Tudor warship from the Solent 25 years ago. The Mary Rose Trust needs £35m to complete conservation work and to house the vessel in a new, permanent museum - but it can only raise £14m by itself still in short of £21m. Admiral John Lippiett, chief executive of the trust, said the ship's fate is now once again in the hands of the Heritage Lottery Fund, which is considering an application for the remaining amount. Last year, a bid for £13.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund failed. The Mary Rose was Henry VIII's flagship. She has 91 guns and the addition of lids over the portholes meant that many of them could be placed close to the waterline. This made her more effective in battle, but it's thought to have contributed to her sinking on July 19, 1545. She sank after 34 years of distinguished service, fighting in two wars against the French and one against the Spanish.

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