some notes on the Cutty Sark

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 4:56 pm • Post subject:

I agree with these last mails. Wheter they are ships od boats, important artefacts from our past should be preserved. Maybe not to the point of firing gun shots early in thte morning in a crewded area (Boston) but still...

And indeed anything that spears the interest of younger generations into their roots, is very important indeed.

Some 10 years ago, our son brought over from La Fayette, USA, a very pretty 18 year old girl, and we took her to some places any American should remember, like Bastogne from thet famous WW2 battle. We saw a fim in a museum and my wife said to her: see, that's Eisenhower there. The girl just answered: Who's that man? Rolling Eyes

Now, OK, she was blonde, but still... Can't we agree that enough boys lost their lives there, and should not be forgotten?

It is very important for the youth to be shown how people lived in those days, how they fought and why, in what condition they went to sea, etc...

JP

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 6:45 pm • Post subject:

I walked past her this afternoon, she looks pretty sad still, but looking through the gate you can just see part of the frames in grey paint with the new steel work on the quay side. It looks like good progress is being made. In Fridays Times it was mentioned that the last £3 million had been secured from the government to meet her restoration bill of £45 million which was mentioned, seems high? All in time for the 2012 London Olympics.

normanh

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:20 pm • Post subject:

You will be pleased to hear that I have withdrawn from this "discussion" on the CUTTY SARK after it degenerated somewhat, to statements such as:

It is clear that Bob holds the great unwashed in extreme contempt!

Bob

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 9:28 pm • Post subject:

Well Shipbuilder you really did come close to being a troll here. I definitely felt you were trying to make me jump...

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 5:48 pm • Post subject:

A participant in another ship model forum posted this article: http://www.greenwich.co.uk/andrew-gilligan/02765-cutty-sark-disaster-the-11-million-nail-in-the-coffin/

I'm trying to tell myself that much of it is newspaper hype, and to an extent I think it probably is. (The artist renderings I've seen suggest, for instance, that the "new" openings in the hull may in fact be the same holes that were there before the current restoration. And I don't think the steel props supporting the hull are to be "punched through" it. I'm not sure about any of that, though.) But it does sound like something has gone seriously wrong with the project. If the engineer in charge has indeed resigned over concerns for the integrity of the ship...well, that's an extremely ominous sign.

My earlier comments in this thread may have given the impression that I support everything and anything that the people responsible for the project do. That's not the case. They've certainly been giving the impression that they've been adhering to all the important ethical and professional standards of ship preservation. If, in fact, they've abandoned those principles, and are planning a stunt that creates a serious danger that the hull will fall apart, I'll be among their harshest critics. Ship preservation projects can't take place without money. But there are good and bad ways to get it.

Attention from the press can, of course, be both advantageous and detrimental to this sort of undertaking. It appears that at least one reporter is trying to "blow the whistle." If the result is that the project gets back on the right track, he will have done it a great service. If the result of increased public attention is that the financial plug gets pulled, that's another matter.

I hope British members of this forum will keep an eye on the news reports, and keep the rest of us posted.

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:39 pm • Post subject:

Here's what I posted as a comment on Gilligan's article:

I was fortunate to be able to visit the Cutty Sark, which my grandfather sailed on, in 1955 when restoration was just beginning. My next visit was in 1962 as a post-grad student, and was greeted by those huge holes gashed through that beautiful hull. As far as I was concerned, the soul of the Cutty Sark was broken when it was turned into a cheap exhibition hall. That was straight vandalism. Exhibitions belong in exhibition halls, not inside genuine historical artifacts. I never went back after I saw that.

I’ve been in touch with the current conservators, and was praying that she would be made whole again. It seemed that conservators at last had infuence. Those holes were to be filled in, the teak decking thrown away in the 1970’s was to be replaced with authentic teak…

Now I hear that new holes are to be gashed through her to support another exhibition hall. Not only that, but the erroneous colours she was restored to in the 1950’s are to be maintained.

I had been saving to attend her re-opening. This makes it sound as though I’ll never want to revisit after all.

It’s a loss that I’ll not even try to put into words - I can’t.

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:07 pm • Post subject:

I was not going to say any more on this, but I am amazed at the above comments! I quote:

"was greeted by those huge holes gashed through that beautiful hull. As far as I was concerned, the soul of the Cutty Sark was broken when it was turned into a cheap exhibition hall. That was straight vandalism. Exhibitions belong in exhibition halls"

Isn't that what I was saying all the way through this "discussion?" I felt "deep in my bones" that this was going to happen. In other words "I told you so!"

I agree with every word of your last post! The CUTTY SARK was "once" a fine ship, but what they are planning to do is dreadful in my eyes. But what does that matter? I am a "Troll" who allegedly regards the great "unwashed" with "contempt!"

I have the greatest respect for the memory of ANY merchant ship, sail or steam, but firmly believe that it is best to let them Rest in Peace, remembered by personal recollections put down in writing and faded photographs showing how things once were.

Incidentally, I did take the trouble to read your grandfather's account and enjoyed it very much it "almost" brought a tear to my eye (NO I am not being sarcastic!).

I spent 32 years at sea in 19 different ships. Two are still sailing, 15 went to scrap and two lie at the bottom of the sea (one with most of its ship's company - 3 survivors!). I remember them all in the utmost clarity, some with affection, some with active dislike, but all with respect and I repeat, I am glad that not a single one fell into the hands of conservators!

Bob

PS
I am NOT trying to stir things up or inflame any of you. I feel very strongly on this subject and these are my true sentiments!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:12 pm • Post subject:

Andrew Gilligan is a newspaper editor and as such does like to put the knife in. It does appear that their are severe problems with the architect and the project management team departing, but I would dearly like to read an impartial report from a fully qualified structural consultant on the current restoration proposals.
Below is a link to Andrew Gilligans original article in the Daily Telegraph and I would ask you to look at it and ask what degree of confidence you place on it when confronted with the caption on the photograph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7173900/Cutty-Sark-restoration-turning-into-a-fiasco.html

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:19 pm • Post subject:

It certainly is rather round for the "front" of a clipper ship, isn't it! Tongue in cheek - maybe the engineers should slow down a little to figure out 'bow' from 'stern' Very Happy

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:45 pm • Post subject:

What is bugging me is why their is so much talk of cutting holes in the frame ? If you go to the restoration diary page for September this is the caption for the bottom photograph.