Historical information
THE CUTTY SARK: The ship Cutty Sark was built expressly for the China Tea Trade and was involved in the famous tea clipper races between 1859 and 1872. It was designed and built by Scott and Linton of Dunbarton, Scotland. Cutty Sark holds the record with 363 knots done more than once. On one occasion, it managed speeds of 362 and 363 knots on two consecutive days. In 1872, it had the misfortune of losing its rudder while racing the "Thermopylae" but was able to continue the race after repairs.
Significance
The photograph of the Cutty Sark is significant for showing a special ship which carried wool from Australia to other parts of the world. The photograph helps 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 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.
Physical description
Photograph framed black and white photograph behind glass, depicting the tall ship "Cutty Sark" in full rig. Figures are on deck.
Subjects
- flagstaff hill,
- warrnambool,
- flagstaff hill maritime museum,
- shipwreck coast,
- flagstaff hill maritime village,
- maritime museum,
- great ocean road,
- cutty sark,
- historic sailing ship,
- tea clipper,
- sail training vessel,
- cadet training ship,
- commercial trading vessel,
- cargo sail vessel,
- clipper races,
- scott and linton of dunbarton scottland,
- race record,
- ferreria,
- 1869,
- tea cargo,
- tea trade,
- china tea,
- wool export,
- australian export,
- australian wool export,
- china tea trade,
- thermopylae
References
- The China Clippers by Lubbock, Basil, 1876-1944 Published 1914, Glasgow, Scotland : J. Brown
