Historical information

THE CUTTY SARK: -
The Cutty Sark was built in Britain in 1869 and was one of the last great sailing ships. At first, it carried tea from China. Later, it was used to transport wool from Australia. It became famous for its speed and held the record for the fastest voyage from Australia to Britain for ten years. Later, a Portuguese company bought the ship and renamed it Ferreira. After that, a retired sea captain purchased it to use as a training ship in Cornwall. When the captain died, the ship was given to a training college in Greenwich in 1938. In 1954, it was placed in dry dock at Greenwich, where it remains on display.

Significance

The Cutty Sark is a special ship because it carried wool from Australia to other parts of the world. Models like this one help us imagine what sea travel was like before steam-powered ships were common, and they show us how trade, travel and migration changed over time.

The Cutty Sark is also famous for being very fast. It set a record for the journey from Australia to Britain and kept that title for ten years. Today, people still recognise its importance because it has been carefully preserved and is on display at the British Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Its story has also made it a favorite subject for people who enjoy building ship models.

Physical description

Ship model: the clipper ship Cutty Sark in full ship rig with raised poop deck, deck house, three boats on deck (one has fallen). It has a two-toned black and tan hull and three jibs. The model is set in a diorama of a blue sea, a lighthouse and another small yacht. It is housed in a glass-sided case with a dark grey painted structure. The bow has an inscription.

Inscriptions & markings

"Cutty Sark"