25/04/2008 07:13:00
One of the Britain's most famous historic ships, the Cutty Sark, has passed a "major milestone" in its restoration plans, according to the Chief Executive of the Cutty Sark Trust.
In May 2007, the nineteenth century tea clipper was ravaged by a vicious fire in Greenwich, its current London abode. The effects of the fire - which all but destroyed the ship's three decks - added another £10 million to the £25 million budget initially estimated for its restoration, although its masts, riggings, cabins and figureheads remain unharmed in a storage facility in Kent.
According to the Independent, the Heritage Lottery Fund granted the Cutty Sark Trust £10 million in January this year, but the organisation still remains £3.7 million short of its target.
Nevertheless, its recent restoration achievement is sure to add some cheer to the construction team currently working on the Cutty Sark. The Independent states that the ship's counter - one of its most important but most fragile components - has been rescued. It will now be restored through electrolysis treatment before being reattached to the stern.
Stephen Archer from the Cutty Sark Trust told the newspaper: "We're trying to combine conservation with restoration. Every nut, bolt and plank, charred or otherwise, will be put back into its original place. It's the same with the counter: the cheaper, easier option would be to just replace it with a brand new one. But that wouldn't be the Cutty Sark. We're determined to keep its authenticity."
The Cutty Sark was first built in 1869 and was designed to be the fastest ship to deliver tea from Shanghai to London. Since then, it has become one of the most well-known ships in British naval history.