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The Cutty Sark
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 The Cutty Sark was built for John 'Jock' Willis, a seasoned sailing ship master who had 'swallowed the anchor' and set up as a Fleet Owner in the Port of London - where he became better known as "White Hat Willis".His previous vessels had not had the performance results he wanted and his ambition for the Cutty Sark was for her to be the fastest ship in the annual race to bring home the first of the new season's tea from China.
The company had never built a ship of this size before and were keen to accommodate their client's every demand. Unfortunately for them, Willis, being so canny a Scot and wanting the best for the least, drove so hard a bargain that the builders, together with their brilliant young designer, sank without trace! The final details of the fitting out had to be completed by another company William Denny & Brothers
On May 21st 2007 a fire broke out on the Cutty Sark which at the time was undergoing restoration. A considerable amount of damage occured but fortunately much of the timberwork had been removed for restoration and was stored safely. The Cutty Sark is still open to visitors but for the moment there is no access to the actual ship. Entry is free at the moment. Admission
prices in 2006
Get more information at: Tel: +44 (0) 20 8858 2698 Email: enquiries@cuttysark.org.uk Official website: http://www.cuttysark.org.uk/ |
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The ship was designed by Hercules Linton, a partner in the Glasgow firm of Scott & Linton. His achievement was to mould the bowlines of Willis's earlier vessel, 'The Tweed' into the midship attributes of Firth of Forth fishing boats, creating a beautiful new hull shape that was stronger, could take more sail, and be driven harder than any other.
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