A Brief History of the Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark tea clipper was built in 1869 on the River Leven in Dumbarton, Scotland. It was built by the Jock Willis Shipping Line for the purpose of transporting tea from China to Britain. The Cutty Sark was one of the last of its kind to be built and was known for being one of the fastest ships of its time. It was retired from active service in 1922 and entered dry dock in Greenwich, London where it remains until this day. The ship was destroyed by fire in 2007. It was restored and reopened to the public in 2012.
What does 'Cutty Sark' mean?
'Cutty Sark' is an old Scottish term for a short nightdress. 'Cutty' means stumpy or short, and 'sark' means shirt or nightdress. 'Cutty Sark' was chosen as the tea clipper's name after Robert Burns' poem 'Tam O’Shanter'. In the poem Tam O'Shanter is a farmer who is chased by a witch called Nannie, clad only in a ‘cutty sark’. It's a curious name for a ship, because traditionally witches are unable to cross water.
Tea from China
The Cutty Sark was used to transport tea from China to Britain in order to meet the high demand for the beverage. The ship was able to make the journey in a much shorter amount of time than other methods of transportation, making it a popular choice for merchants. The Cutty Sark was renowned for its speed, which made it a highly sought-after vessel.
What made the Cutty Sark Special?
The Cutty Sark was unique among other tea clippers because of its design. It was one of the last ships of its kind to be built and featured a number of innovations that made it faster and more efficient than other vessels. Additionally, the Cutty Sark was known for its beauty of design, which made it a popular choice among merchants, and nowadays among the public.
Catastrophe Strikes - Fire!
The fire that destroyed the Cutty Sark, in dry dock in Greenwich, in 2007, was a devastating event for the ship and its fans. The fire began in the early morning hours of May 21, 2007, and quickly spread through the ship, causing significant damage. There were no fatalities as a result of the fire, but it was a major loss for the ship, the public and Greenwich.
Restoration and Reopening
The restoration process was long and expensive, but it was ultimately successful in preserving the ship. The Cutty Sark was reopened to the public in all its glory in 2012 and is an extremely popular tourist attraction.
The Cutty Sark is an important part of British history and maritime heritage. It is a reminder of the days when tea clippers ruled the seas and transported tea from China to Britain. The ship is also a symbol of British resilience, as it has been through many challenges, not least the catastrophic fire in 2007. After a thorough restoration the ship was reopened to the public, and continues to be an iconic symbol of British history.