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
Raised so far: £2,437,561.19
Donate now
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Donation by toby on 14/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Hard luck Germany but better then nothing Donation by Pat on 02/07/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Valerie Deacon on 20/06/08 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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She's part of our heritage Donation by Janet on 15/06/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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It's no so much but I'am a retired man and no so rich.I'am modeling the Cutty Sark Donation by Carlos Echagüe on 01/06/08 |
£5.00 |
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Donation by Anonymous on 26/05/08 |
£150.00 |
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Donation by Josh G on 21/05/08 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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A worthwhile cause and something that the Mayor Boris and the Government should be giving greater support! Donation by Michelle Ward on 21/05/08 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Donation by dave jepson on 21/05/08 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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To preserve this amazing ship for the future generations Donation by Simon Goldsworthy on 21/05/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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For all those that have yet to experience this magnificent ship Donation by Paul Reynolds on 21/05/08 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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RISE AGAIN Donation by MIKE JONES on 21/05/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Memories Donation by Rob Tolfts on 21/05/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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In memory of my wife Mary and our days in Greenwich Donation by John Hume on 20/05/08 |
£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid |
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Not much, but hope this helps Donation by Annie Woods on 20/05/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Resolute & proud Donation by jackie on 13/05/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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I saw her and hope to see her again. Good luck! Donation by Dorota on 12/05/08 |
£10.00 |
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Good luck Donation by Motoki Ohori on 07/05/08 |
£20.00 |
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Can't wait to see it fully restored. Donation by Halina on 25/04/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Nick Prior on 23/04/08 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Donation by CLH on 02/04/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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In memory of Cape Horner Erik Langels 1910-1999 Donation by peterlangels on 30/03/08 |
£50.00 |
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In memory of my grandfather Robert Jones Donation by Jenny Jones on 13/03/08 |
£20.00 |
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In memory of ALL the seamen who gave their all for Queen & country Donation by James (Robbo) on 10/03/08 |
£10.00 |
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For her future Donation by Matti Ahrelma on 08/03/08 |
£400.00 |
| * Total raised online: | £44,535.19 |
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| Offline donations: | £2,393,026.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £2,437,561.19 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £9,361.95 |
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Find out
how much it is and what we do for it.