Raised so far: £2,437,561.19
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My story

 
An Update From Richard Doughty, Chief Executive, Cutty Sark Trust

On 21 May 2007 a major fire swept through Cutty Sark.  Media images suggested a unique icon of world maritime history gone forever. Amazingly, we learned very quickly that less than 2% of the fabric from her working life as a sailing ship has been lost. We are remarkably lucky – Cutty Sark is still here.

At the time of the fire, the ship’s masts, gear and deckhouses and saloon , along with half of the historic planking had been removed for conservation or storage.  Of the remaining planks only a few were badly damaged and even so we have been able to remove the charring so they can be rehung.  More importantly, we found out that the ship’s iron frame has not distorted significantly. 

Our overall project vision is not compromised.  We can still lift the ship 3m above her current position to allow visitors to walk under her uniquely shaped hull. We can pursue our active treatments for corrosion, stress and wear and tear.  We aim to reopen in early 2010 when Cutty Sark will be relaunched as a landmark visitor attraction and inspirational museum for all.

We still do not know what caused the fire. We are waiting for the police report to be issued; the ship is technically still a crime scene.

Momentum on the project has been sustained since the fire.  Now for the first time since she was built, the iron frame is fully exposed as 80% of the hull planks are now off.  A third of the ship has now been cleaned with a wet abrasive process exposing foundry marks not seen since 1869.  The bowsprit and rudder have now been removed for conservation. The poop has been raised to expose the metal work underneath.

On 25 January we received the best news of all: the Heritage Lottery Fund announced it would award our project an exceptional grant of £10m.  Carole Souter, Director of the HLF, said, “The Cutty Sark is an amazing testament to our maritime heritage and one that we felt passionately must be protected for another century’s worth of enjoyment.”

This incredible support means we have now raised £30m of the £35m needed to save the ship, made possible by the generosity of companies, trusts and thousands of individual well-wishers from around the world..  We still have £5m to raise but we now have confidence to turn our vision for Cutty Sark into a reality.  

Please join with us now on the last leg of our voyage by donating – together we can raise Cutty Sark’s masts again!

Thank you for your support

save her! save the legend! i hope to hear good news. from Japan Donation by Asuka Yamamoto 26/06/07  

£20.00

I've never been on the old ship, just around it. Would have loved to have used it as a wedding venue Donation by Edwin Shadare 25/06/07  

£5.00

Best of luck in the restoration Donation by Ralph Lawson 23/06/07  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Donation by Claire 23/06/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

So much a part of my childhood. I hope she is back to her former glory soon. Donation by Lee 23/06/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

A donation for Mike & Paulines Silver Wedding Anniversary Donation by Maureen & Roger 22/06/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Save the Cutty Sark! Donation by Minky 22/06/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Nick 21/06/07  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Donation by Joe 20/06/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Helen Crisp 20/06/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Ann from Bournemouth 20/06/07  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Donation by yebligs 19/06/07  

£20.00

the ship was a part of my childhood, i am donating this modest amount in my memory of my late mother Donation by patrick mcentee 19/06/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck with the rebuild Donation by Caroline Bird 18/06/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Paul Douglas 18/06/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Nannie must keep her original home. Donation by Mke Kelly 17/06/07  

£10.00

lets at least save some of our history and heritage Donation by gsklcrackham 17/06/07  

£20.00

I cried when I heard the news. Keep restoring! Donation by Endeavour Fran 17/06/07  

£100.00

Donation by Colin 17/06/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

It would be a tragedy to lose such a national treasure. Donation by Terry Maltman 16/06/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Joanna Robinson 16/06/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Such an important piece of global heritage. Donation by Deryck Syron 16/06/07  

£10.00

This ship is too important to die! Donation by Colin Wright 16/06/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Godspeed, Cutty Sark, from Seattle Donation by Steve Sawyer 16/06/07  

£30.00

Keep pushing! Donation by Gordon Mottau 15/06/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

For Stephen who always liked a challenge. Donation by janet 14/06/07  

£30.00

Happy memories of the Cutty Sark. Hopefully a lot more to come Donation by Bronwen Richards 13/06/07  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Grüße aus Germany.Ich hoffe das dieser stolze Klipper bald wieder repariert ist! Donation by Tal Shiar 13/06/07  

£20.00

An amazing beautiful ship, hope it can restored! Donation by Owen Rees 13/06/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck to this important project. Donation by Paul & Pauline Canter 13/06/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £44,535.19
  Offline donations: £2,393,026.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £9,361.95

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