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Cheers rang out as the ship rose from the seabed

Painfully slowly, the black timbers of the Mary Rose broke the surface and saw the light of day for the first time in 437 years. After so long consigned to the murky depths of the Solent, she was finally visible.

'They had pulled off what was regarded as the archaeological coup of the century. Tears flowed with the champagne, applause broke out, sirens sounded and cannons fired'

It was 9.03am on October 11, 1982 and the 17-year operation to find and raise the wreck of Henry VIII's flagship had ended in glorious triumph. Three loud and emotive cheers rang out and everybody associated with a project plaugued by setbacks breathed an enormous sigh of relief mixed with immense satisfaction.

After years of dedication and determination, they had finally done it. They had pulled off what was regarded as the archaeological coup of the century. Tears flowed with the champagne, applause broke out, sirens sounded and cannons fired.

Everybody was desperate to get that first glimpse of the Mary Rose. Prince Charles, president of the Mary Rose Trust, was in the control cabin of the lifting crane Tog Mor. A flotilla of spectator craft surrounded the 300-metre exclusion zone and the main lift was watched through binoculars by thousands from vantage points on the Southsea shore, many of whom had been waiting patiently to witness this historic event.

Undaunted by delays, some had even spent the night in sleeping bags on the beach or at the Round Tower. Millions more around the world followed the unfolding saga on television. Hundreds of journalists had poured into Southsea to report from a press centre at Castle Field.

'There had been some heart-stopping moments'

Nail-biting days of uncertainty had followed the postponement of the delicate raising operation the previous week. Bad weather had dogged the project.

Crane, lifting frame and cradle

The forecast had again been poor on the day the ship was recovered, but by the time the threatened gales occurred the barge, cradle and hull were already moored and the celebrations had begun.

A huge tubular steel lifting frame and cradle were used, hoisted by a crane in a long and painstaking operation.

There had been some heart-stopping moments. A steel pin in the lifting frame gave way, crashing towards the hull. Then a huge wire strop wrapped itself around part of the cradle.

Steel lifting frame, used to carry the weight of the hull

'It was the culmination of many years of work by the late Alexander McKee and his fellow divers. Back in 1965 they had begun to search for the ship on the seabed. Sceptics dismissed them as mad'

The 580-ton package was eventually raised and placed on the deck of a barge ready to be towed into Portsmouth harbour.

It was the culmination of many years of work by the late Alexander McKee and his fellow divers. Back in 1965 they had begun to search for the ship on the seabed. Sceptics dismissed them as mad.

But now, at last, she had been recovered from her watery grave.

For Mr McKee, it was, simply, `the most wonderful day of my life'. For everybody who witnessed history being made, it would also live long in the memory.

Ready to be towed to the harbour

Raising the wreck
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