'Cutty Sark'

Last of the Tea Clippers.

Saturday October 13, 2012.

It was an overcast autumn afternoon, when I visited the Cutty Sark, in Greenwich. This was shortly after she had been rebuilt, following a catastrophic damage caused by a fire during restoration work, in 2007. 

It was a pleasant enough afternoon and, although the crowds were on the large side, they were hardly noticeable in the newly created space around the historic vessel.


Brief History

The Cutty Sark was built in 1869, and, on February 16, 1870, she left London on the first of eight trips to China. Throughout her working life, Cutty Sark transported cargoes such as tea, wool and coal. She travelled to China, Japan, South and North America, Angola and more.

In 1895, the Cutty Sark was sold to a Portuguese company, and her name was changed to Ferreira. In 1922, she was sold to another Portuguese owner, and she was renamed Maria do Amparo. She was then bought by an Englishman and, in 1923, her true name and nationality were restored. 

She was berthed in Falmouth and then Greenhithe, before being moved to her current, and final resting place. On May 21, 2007, a fire gutted the Cutty Sark, while she was having restoration work undertaken.

Cutty Sark