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Cutty Sark
Much more than a Tea Clipper
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Fire seriously damages Cutty Sark |
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On the morning of Monday 21 May 2007 at 04:46 BST (03:46 GMT) London Fire Brigade received the first of 16 calls reporting a fire at the Cutty Sark. London Fire Brigade arrived at 04:50 BST (03:50 GMT) to find a 'well developed fire'. The fire was contained by 06:20 BST (05:20 GMT). The Cutty Sark was undergoing major renovation; the fire has created 'substantial damage' to the historic vessel Because of renovation work the main wheel, superstructure, decking, artefacts, rigging and masts had been removed from the vessel and are safely in storage. "The vessel is of wood and iron construction and some of the ironwork has buckled under the intense heat of the fire" said Chris Livett of the Cutty Sark project. How you can helpDonate to the renovation project at the official Cutty Sark website: www.cuttysark.org.uk The Metropolitan Police are appealing for witnesses to contact Plumstead Police Station: www.met.police.uk/greenwich/ Send us your memories in words in photos of your memories of this iconic landmark |
Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich , London SE10
The last surviving tea-clipper was being restored to its former glory on the banks of the River Thames. 15 million visitors had climbed on-board and see how life was at sea in times gone by.
The famous Greenwich land-mark, now in permanent dry-dock, to greet visitors as they arrive at Greenwich Pier on the River Thames.
Her history is not as majestic as it might seem. She was built just as steam and the opening of the Suez Canal was making the need for sailing ships redundant.
Facts about the Cutty Sark
More than 15 million visitors have boarded Cutty Sark since 1954.
The Cutty Sark is the first preserved ship open to the public worldwide since Golden Hinde was exhibited in Deptford in 1580.
The ship employs a team of riggers to maintain the eleven miles of rigging.
She carried 32,000 square feet of canvas sails, equivalent to the area of 11 tennis courts!
On the bow of the ship is the motto: Where there's a Willis a way', a play on the name of the first owner, Jock,'White Hat Willis.
The Cutty Sark is named after the short shirt worn by the witch in the poem Tam o' Shanter written by Robert Burns.
History of the Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark was designed by Hercules Linton and built in 1869 at Dumbarton, Scotland, by the firm of Scott & Linton at a cost of 16,150.
The exacting specifications and making of Cutty Sark bankrupted her first shipyard, Scott & Linton; she had to be completed by Dennys. The Cutty Sark was launched 23 November 23 1869.
Sailed in China tea trade 1870-1877/78.
Sailing clippers lost out to steamships which could pass through the recently-opened Suez Canal and deliver goods more reliably.
Sailed in Australia wool trade 1883-1895. She sailed Australia-to-England in times of as little as 67 days.
Her best run was 666 km. (360 nautical miles) in 24 hours, an average of 27.75 km/hr (15 knots)
In 1895 Willis sold her to the Portuguese firm Ferreira and she was renamed after the firm. In 1916 she had her masts removed off the Cape of Good Hope, sold, re-rigged in Cape Town as a barquentine, and renamed Maria do Amparo.
In 1922 the Cutty Sark was bought by Captain Wilfred Dowman, who restored her to her original appearance and used her as a training ship.
In 1954 she was dry-docked at Greenwich.
In 2006 a major renovation was started
On the morning of Monday 21 May 2007 a major fire guttered the whole vessel.
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As a result of renovation work and now a major fire the Cutty Sark is closed to the public |
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Opening hours Winter |
Read about Cutty Sark
Written about in: "OzGen - Fast Clippers to Australia" - Written by John Nelson and first Published by the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies in "The Genealogist" in December 1993
Although most of these books are out of print Amazon will try and track them down. You might find a copy in your local library or in a second-hand bookstore
- Clipper ships & the Cutty Sark - David Johnson
- The Cutty Sark : The Ship and a Model - C. Nepean Longridge / Published 1984
- The "Cutty Sark" : the ship and the model - C. Nepean Longridge
- The Cutty Sark, her designer and builder: Hercules Linton, 1836-1900; a biographical memoir Robert Edward Brettle
- Running Her Easting Down; A Documentary of the Development and History of the British Tea Clippers, Culminating With the Building of the Cutty Sark, William F. Baker / Published 1974
- Tall Ships Are Sailing : the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races - Holly Hollins / Published 1981
Travel
The Cutty Sark is beside Greenwich Pier for boats to Central London, The Millennium Dome & Thames Barrier
Cutty Sark Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Cutty Sark Station is open for connections to Canary Wharf (change to Jubilee Line for Greenwich North - Millennium Dome)
We've also travelled the World to find out what other Cutty Sark there are today
See Cutty Sark too !!!