Short chemise of the cutty sark
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Cutty Sark epitomizes the great age of sail and is the last surviving Tea Clipper. Her remarkable history is tangible evidence of the longterm importance of the sea trade to England, and to London’s growth as the world’s pre-eminent port and trading centre. Cutty Sark’s iconic hull shape is defined by the revolutionary 19th century composite iron and timber shipbuilding technique.
Having sat on its keel in a dry dock for years, the ship’s hull was sagging under its weight, which was starting to push the keel up into the hull. The nearly disastrous fire of 2007 allowed a rethink as to how to display the ship and stimulated fundraising to pay for it.
Grimshaw’s innovative design proposes the raising of Cutty Sark within the dry berth – providing a new and captivating area for visitors under her revolutionary hull and will be used to articulate the Cutty Sark’s unique story. An enveloping glass canopy, attached along the ship’s waterline, will give year-round protection to visitors in the dry berth. A new supporting structure cradles the lifted ship’s hull. The ship’s weight was redistributed by means of 12 new triangulated steel frames. This frame now carries the ship’s weight. Specialist conservation work addresses the critical physical condition of the ship through a combination of electrolysis, mechanical cleaning and preventative coatings.
All works will be complete for HM’s Jubilee 2012 as a gift from the Duke of Edinburgh. The fully accessible interior will be presented in its original, cargo carrying form, allowing visitors to explore the restored decks and crew accommodation. Viewing the ship from below gives a truly unique and awe-inspiring experience.
GRIMSHAW ARCHITECTS