I, like many others who donated to the Cutty Sark Trust in response to the fire a little over a week ago, have received an email from the Trust; issuing an update to the situation in regards to restoring the ship.
Although the message tells about how some decking has been destroyed, and buckling of the iron framework has occurred, affecting the shape of the ship; it is very positive that the tea clipper will be restored although it's original timetable has now had to change, with the project to lift the ship now due to be completed by early 2010 - a year later than originally planned.
Fortunately, the visitor centre has re-opened, which will hopefully encourage further donations to help bring the vessel back to her former glory. There is also a benefit concert planned with "star performers" helping to raise further money.
It's a shame there is still no conclusive news on what caused the fire on 21 May 2007. The police haven't yet ruled out arson but if that is the case, no arrests have been made.
I've attached a PDF copy of the email to this entry which gives more details on the progress so far, and future plans.
Although the message tells about how some decking has been destroyed, and buckling of the iron framework has occurred, affecting the shape of the ship; it is very positive that the tea clipper will be restored although it's original timetable has now had to change, with the project to lift the ship now due to be completed by early 2010 - a year later than originally planned.
Fortunately, the visitor centre has re-opened, which will hopefully encourage further donations to help bring the vessel back to her former glory. There is also a benefit concert planned with "star performers" helping to raise further money.
It's a shame there is still no conclusive news on what caused the fire on 21 May 2007. The police haven't yet ruled out arson but if that is the case, no arrests have been made.
I've attached a PDF copy of the email to this entry which gives more details on the progress so far, and future plans.
The country awoke yesterday morning to the news that the Cutty Sark, one of the last remaining tea clippers, commissioned in the 19th century, was ablaze.
At the time, myself and no doubt many other people around the nation, thought the ship would be lost. A great loss of an icon of Britain's maritime heritage.
Fortunately, as the day developed, it transpired that around 50% of the ship had actually been removed as part of a £25m restoration project that should have been completed in 2009. The removed items included the iconic masts and rigging, the wheel, the cabins and some of the timbers from the decks. Very visible parts of the vessel.
We then found out that damage which had occurred to the remaining parts of the ship could have been a lot worse thanks to the response by the London Fire Brigade. The figurehead, in the visitor centre was untouched by the blaze and many timbers, although scorched will be salvageable. Apparently there has been some buckling of the iron framework but again, it could have been worse and repairs should be possible.
It appears then that this ship, which I would hate to see vanish having visited it 2 or 3 times at least, should be repaired and be open to the public once again. However there is now a severe funding shortfall.
The £25m restoration project will require many more funds to ensure the Cutty Sark is returned to it's former glory in the centre of Greenwich, and unfortunately the timetable for it re-opening will have gone out of the window. I will be making a donation to the Trust and hope that many others do too in order to secure the ships future.
As a side note, I have some photographs of the Cutty Sark in 2006, before it closed to the public. These can be found in the Photo Albums page, under the listing for 2006.
At the time, myself and no doubt many other people around the nation, thought the ship would be lost. A great loss of an icon of Britain's maritime heritage.
Fortunately, as the day developed, it transpired that around 50% of the ship had actually been removed as part of a £25m restoration project that should have been completed in 2009. The removed items included the iconic masts and rigging, the wheel, the cabins and some of the timbers from the decks. Very visible parts of the vessel.
We then found out that damage which had occurred to the remaining parts of the ship could have been a lot worse thanks to the response by the London Fire Brigade. The figurehead, in the visitor centre was untouched by the blaze and many timbers, although scorched will be salvageable. Apparently there has been some buckling of the iron framework but again, it could have been worse and repairs should be possible.
It appears then that this ship, which I would hate to see vanish having visited it 2 or 3 times at least, should be repaired and be open to the public once again. However there is now a severe funding shortfall.
The £25m restoration project will require many more funds to ensure the Cutty Sark is returned to it's former glory in the centre of Greenwich, and unfortunately the timetable for it re-opening will have gone out of the window. I will be making a donation to the Trust and hope that many others do too in order to secure the ships future.
As a side note, I have some photographs of the Cutty Sark in 2006, before it closed to the public. These can be found in the Photo Albums page, under the listing for 2006.