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Christopher Dobbs, one of the scuba diving archaeologists involved in the excavation and raising of Henry VIII’s flagship, Mary Rose, has been awarded the Society for Nautical Research’s Victory Medal for his contribution to maritime archaeology.
Dobbs received the award at the start of the Society’s annual conference aboard the historic Mersey ferry Daffodil in Liverpool on 18 June.
Dobbs joined the Mary Rose Trust in 1979 as part of the archaeological diving team working on the excavation of the Tudor warship.
Following the raising of the vessel in 1982, he held a number of senior roles within the Trust, including managing the Ship Hall during the conservation of the hull timbers, Head of Public Services and later Head of Interpretation. He retired in 2023.
The Victory Medal was awarded in recognition of more than four decades of work on the excavation, interpretation and public presentation of the Mary Rose, as well as wider contributions to maritime heritage.
‘We are delighted that Christopher has been presented with this well-deserved medal,’ said Dominic Jones, chief executive officer of the Mary Rose Trust.
‘Throughout his career, Christopher has made an extraordinary impact, from excavating, documenting, and interpreting the ship and her artefacts, to bringing archaeology to life for audiences of all ages.’
Jones also highlighted Dobbs’ involvement with the Nautical Archaeology Society, his support for the participation of avocational divers in archaeological projects, and his work with international organisations concerned with the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
Although retired, Dobbs continues to support the Mary Rose Trust as Curator Emeritus. Visitors to the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth can also see and hear him in several exhibits, including as the Master Carpenter projected within the reconstructed ship.
Following the award, Dobbs said he was ‘bowled over’ to receive the honour.
‘It is wonderful to have our work recognised by our peers,’ he said.
‘In accepting the award, I paid tribute to Alexander McKee and Margaret Rule and acknowledged that it was really an award for all the different teams that I have worked with or led over the last 48 years of my career.’
Mary Rose sank during the Battle of the Solent in 1545 after serving in the Tudor navy for 34 years. Rediscovered in 1971, the wreck became one of the most significant maritime archaeological projects ever undertaken in the UK.
The hull was raised in 1982 following a major excavation programme involving hundreds of volunteer and professional divers.
Today, the ship and its artefacts are displayed at the Mary Rose Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – find out more at maryrose.org.
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