25/06/2008 07:01:00
The Cutty Sark, a 140-year-old clipper ship, will be fully restored after a £3.3 million donation from shipping magnate and philanthropist Sammy Ofer.
The ship, currently based in Greenwich, London, was built in 1869 at Dumbarton, near Glasgow. The custom-built dry dock has been its home since 1954, where it is preserved as a museum and popular tourist attraction.
In May 2007, disaster struck when the ship caught fire and was badly damaged. It had already been undergoing an extensive renovation project when the blaze caused additional estimated £5-10 million damage, bringing the restoration cost up to £30-35 million.
Thanks to the £23 million donation by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Mr. Ofer's charitable contribution, the Cutty Sark Trust is now able to achieve the ship's restoration, which is expected to be completed by 2010.
The Times reports that Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary, said: "Mr Ofer's donation towards the conservation of the Cutty Sark is both extremely generous and enormously appreciated."
The Cutty Sark was named after Ayrshire-born Robert Burns' poem, Tam O'Shanter, where a suggestive scene involving a woman dancing in the undersized garment inspired both the ship's title and the name of its figurehead - Nannie.
In March, Ofer also donated £20 million to the National Maritime Museum in London. He is reputed to be one of the 10 biggest art collectors in the world.