Why conserve the Cutty Sark? - Richard Doughty

One of the main advantages of talking about Cutty Sark is being able to say this is a ship which needs no introduction. Richard Doughty, Chief Executive of Cutty Sark Trust, considers why this merchant sailing ship is so highly regarded around the world and why, despite the damage done by the fire in 2007, so much time and effort has been invested in conserving her original structure.
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the on the Gresham College website:
www.gresham.ac....
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[@plusplusplusplusp]

The City of Adelaide, the other surviving clipper and older than the Cutty Sark, arrived in my city (Adelaide) a few days ago. She's in a sorry state, so the Cutty Sark is still a priceless asset and you're lucky to have her in Britain

[@kevankwok01]

Thanks for sharing her history! What a special icon and a reminder of bravery, adventure, ingenuity and the importance of the sea in terms of trade, building international relations and capturing our imagination. I'm an Australian born Chinese Londoner and live in Greenwich. I'm from Sydney as well so it is quite surreal to hear that she was back and forth between Shanghai and Sydney. To have gone through so much, well outlasted her expected 30 year life and survived multiple fires. She is a true survivor! I will look at her a little differently each time I walk past now. She provides a stunning backdrop to the town center of Greenwich and I feel lucky to be able to still see her 150 years later. Thanks for restoring her!

[@vistabrazil3006]

As a youth working in London, I will never forget the experience of lying on her decks to visualise the overwhelming imagery of her masts and tackle reaching for the skies. I have visited all the great historic UK sailing vessels and later even personally restored an Annan Smack. Unfortunately I failed to restore a beautiful historic 42ft Zulu herring drifter. It proved too much for my limited resources at the time. I was probably the last fisherman to trawl under sail in Europe. I had a 1936 16 ton gaff cutter and fished the Irish Sea, whenever possible without engine. I lived aboard and fished alone. She could tow a lightweight net with a 35m mouth, stern trawling or sidewinding. I designed and fabricated the 3/4 ton hydraulic winch and otterboards Now, after 25 years in Brazil, I have a simple but exilarating B24 trimaran. The Cutty Sark is an excellent example of the ancient supremacy of Scottish ship and boat building competence, and not just on the Clyde. I visited the beautiful three-masted 'Elisa' in Galveston, built in 1877 in Aberdeen and still going strong.

[@vistabrazil3006]

I wish you all the best to preserve her for future generations. We should all be proud of her and your efforts.

[@davewayne9610]

In America there are books for display on the coffee table.. They are glossy large books. I would love to see one for the Cutty Sark. They usually sell for 50-100 pounds. You could easily make a large profit there.

[@gogogeedus]

I believe the name is short shirt in old Scott's Gallic.The reason it was so fast between Aus and UK is because precious minerals, such as chromium and zinc were stored below as ballast keeping it upright and able to hoist more canvas.

[@gogogeedus]

Who knows! interesting theory though. but haven't they considered using a vacuum cleaner.

[@genesmolko35]

I dunno, because she's the last classical and one of the best clipper ships built maybe?

[@panzerleader49]

OOOPPPS she was not burnt to cinders- the damage was only superficial. The main elements of the hull were saved thank god. However the hull planks were scorched but the restoration went on. The reason she was/is in London was explained in the video- the 'saviour' put her in the Greenwich yard to facilitate the restoration. BTW the 'City of Adelaide ' was also built in Scotland and taken to Aust. for restoration,if the Scots wanted to restore a clipper ship they missed thier chance

[@alexhayden2303]

This is another interesting vid. with a wretched AUDIO LEVEL! How on earth did they let it burn? Wealthy country? Now 2018, we are warned that another LOAN or two and we will have a Venezuela Collapse!

[@benkelly12]

Cutty Sark (.a short shift) That is what the young witch Nanny Dee is wearing as the figurehead on the ships prow, in,her hand is Megs tail ( Tam o Shanters horse ), The name Cutty Sark is from Robert Burns peom,Tam o Shanter. The ship was built on the Clyde. Scotland, and is Scottish in name and build, why is she in London?

[@julianv.5848]

LAST FOR EVER???? IT WAS A BIG INSURANCE POLICY........