Greetings Fellow Adventurers!
Whilst packing for our upcoming Welsh castle adventure, I went into my nautical-mad daughter’s bedroom to find some bits for her suitcase. However what I actually found was a display she’d put together as a tribute to the memory of Mary Rose, and the hundreds of crewmen lost when she sank.
Maddie then told me that, on this day in 1545, the Mary Rose – flagship of King Henry VIII’s Tudor navy and his pride and joy, suddenly sank in the Solent during a battle with the French. The ship went down literally in seconds, in mysterious circumstances, with the loss of nearly 500 sailors. Only 35 men survived.
Along with her display, my daughter had written a poem about the sad loss. I was so impressed by it and touched by her thoughtfulness and empathy, that I decided to share it with you all here.
Alli and I are very proud of her – I think this is a wonderful tribute.
Beneath The Waves Of Portsmouth
By Maddie Templeton (aged 15).
In 1545 in view of the King’s eye,
The Mary Rose, the flagship, sank,
beneath the waves of Portsmouth.
To heaven, you did fly,
but the Mary Rose was left to lie,
beneath the waves of Portsmouth.
The ropes of the top deck betrayed the crew,
dragged them into a shipwreck,
beneath the waves of Portsmouth.
As she turned a wind got up,
stirring heavy cannon, let through a porthole
water in, pulling the ship,
beneath the waves of Portsmouth.
Nearly five hundred years later,
(the same number as the lost crew)
the ship, brought back to life in 1982,
She was lifted from the bed, from
beneath the waves of Portsmouth.
Around the ship, a museum was built,
shaped like an oyster, the wreck the pearl,
preserved from the silt,
beneath the waves of Portsmouth.
Today the museum stands – since the year of 1982,
as a memorial for you, the crew,
and the dog named ‘Hatch’ too,
It now reminds those who live today
of the crew on the ship that lay,
beneath the waves of Portsmouth.
I think that about says it all. Personally I think she has a great future in front of her as a maritime historian and sailor.
Farewell my friends!
What a very special daughter we have. Proud doesn’t cover it. She’s written a fitting tribute, and created a fitting memorial in her room. I’m all choked. Stuff the packing for the rest of the night. 🙂 ❤
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How about a tipple instead! We can toast Maddie, the Mary Rose and her crew!
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You took the words right out of my mouth. I’d decided to raise a glass to the poor men that went down with her. Here’s to them, and to Maddie. 🙂 ❤
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Cheers my Love! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thanks for sharing her prom! It was really good and flowed so well – I bet it would sound nice as a read aloud too.
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She says thank you! She’s really happy that people like it! 😀
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✌🏼😊
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Is there no end to the talents of the Templetons? 🙂 I’d love to see Maddie write her own blogs with material like this.
You can give her a thumbs up from me and I think Alli also deserves a thumbs up too for taking her to places like Portsmouth. You deserve a thumbs up as well Stuart for showing us what a talented daughter you have. Enjoy your trip to Wales.
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Thanks for such lovely comments, Malc. This did take us off guard a bit, and as a result we’re a bit behind in getting off today, but hey, what does it matter when this sort of thing happens? 🙂
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Are we behind? I hadn’t noticed?
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Thanks Malc – I have to say I’m pretty proud of both of them. I can see Maddie doing her own, she’s already asked to do another post over the next few weeks about another famous ship – she’ll be taking over soon!
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Reading all your family’s blogs will stop me doing any of my own LOL
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Fabulous poem – astonishing – you must both be so chuffed! As a Pompey lad, Mary Rose has a special place in my heart – and I keep meaning to write an article about her. And now you’ve talked me into having a beer…
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Thanks Mike- we are indeed very proud! We’ll look forward to reading your article and yes – a beer is a good idea!
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Have you been to visit the ship in Portsmouth?
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My daughter has a couple of times since Easter – she loves it down there.
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