Posted on 04/24/2012 10:19:16 PM PDT by cutty
Five years after the Cutty Sark, once the pride of the British Empire, was ravaged by fire the ship has been restored to her former glory in time for a momentous year in Britain.
The 19th century sailing ship was to be re-opened on Wednesday by Queen Elizabeth II, weeks before the monarch celebrates her diamond jubilee in June.
Cutty Sark, which used to streak across the oceans carrying tea and wool, has come a long way since the flames burned through all three of her decks, turning her into an inferno early one morning in May 2007.
...
Jim Solomon, the chief engineer. "Projects like this don't come around very often."
Cutty Sark's new elevated position allows visitors to see the innovative design of the hull which enabled her to sail from Sydney to London in 1885 in a then-record 73 days, leaving the early steam ships in her wake.
"It is very important to keep this unique ship to represent the background to our wealth and prosperity," said Nash.
He compares the technological sophistication of Cutty Sark in its time to the impact made by the supersonic Concorde jet in its era.
"This ship is a symbol of British maritime power for many reasons: one is the aspect of trade, the other thing is the technology. At her time this was the most advanced technology that existed."
(Excerpt) Read more at france24.com ...
“Cutty Sark....... A beautiful, strong name.”
...and it means “short nightshirt” in the Scots tongue.
I appreciate that. Thanks.
I have a sister-in-law from Scotland. I’ll try and one-up her with that one. LOL
Saw the Tinkerbelle on display. It’s about the size of a van.
Cutty Sark was a great ship. She survived later than most into the age of steam.
Love those tall ships.
The fire was caused by a vacuum cleaner carelessly left running. What a waste.
Dang those tall ships are things of beauty and artistry.
Makes my soul cry that they are museum relics. Thankfully some are preserved for us who love them.
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