MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Cutty Sark, London landmark damaged in blaze

“Now more than ever the Cutty Sark needs support from all her friends across the world”

Cutty Sark, a London landmark and the world's last surviving 19th century tea clipper that made its name in the China trade, was severely damaged in a blaze Monday.

Flames and thick black smoke shot high into the sky above the dry dock on the banks of the River Thames where the ship has stood as a major tourist attraction for more than 50 years. Forty firefighters brought the blaze under control, but all that appeared left of what was once one of the world's fastest ships was an iron frame and a mass of charred timbers. "It's a tragedy, she was the Ferrari of the open seas," Paddy Pugh of conservation body English Heritage told the BBC. "It's one of the genuine icons of London." Originally designed to last just 30 years, the Cutty Sark is a rare construction with a wrought iron frame clad in timber. Launched in 1869 on Scotland's River Clyde to make the run to China for the lucrative tea trade, it was undergoing a £ 25 million refurbishment when the blaze struck. It had been due to reopen in 2009. The Cutty Sark, "short nightshirt" in 18th century Scottish dialect and used in the Robert Burns poem Tam O'Shanter, was a familiar site to runners of the London Marathon at the 10.5-kilometer mark. But the Cutty Sark was in a serious state of deterioration because sea salt and rainwater damaged the iron hull, and the ship was closed to the public in November last year for restoration work such as mechanical cleaning and applying preventive coatings. A glass "bubble" was also to be attached at the waterline to give visitors in the dry berth and lower hull year-round protection. The Cutty Sark Trust, the body overseeing the renovation work, said it was still assessing the extent of the damage, but promised to rebuild the ship. "The old girl needs more help than ever," said the trust's Chris Livett. "She is a national treasure. With people's help, I am confident that we will get back on track and get her reopened." It was in the 1990s that structural problems were identified in the hull and since then plans have been put in motion for a full restoration. Half of the ship's timbers had been removed for renovation and put in storage before the fire, including the masts and the wheel. No one was hurt in the blaze. Police said there was no evidence the fire was started deliberately. Security footage is being checked and police have appealed for witnesses. Tea clippers were narrow-beamed sailing ships that could make fortunes for their owners if they were first back to London as the first tea cargo of the season could be sold at a premium. People used to bet on which vessel would win the race and the first sighting of a clipper's tall masts off the English coast would be major news in London. While the Cutty Sark was one of the last tea clippers built, it was never the fastest, losing out by a week to the Thermopylae in the race from Shanghai to London in 1872, a voyage of 122 days. The Cutty Sark turned to general trading, such as transporting wool from Australia, as steamers took over the trade using the newly constructed Suez Canal in Egypt and regularly recorded the fastest time for the voyage from Australia to Britain. Its many notable achievements included sailing 360 nautical miles in 24 hours, or an average of 15 knots, the best speed for any ship of its size. The Cutty Sark became part of a floating naval school, making its last voyage in 1938. In 1954 the ship, which had been renamed a number of times after becoming a general cargo vessel, finally swapped the high seas for a concrete dry dock at Greenwich and a program of restoration. Since opening as a museum in 1957 it has attracted more than 15 million visitors. The Cutty Sark is a Grade I listed monument in Britain - the highest rank for buildings of outstanding or national architectural or historic interest. The hull is 65 meters long and the ship weighs 935 tons. Statement from Richard Doughty, Chief Executive, Cutty Sark Trust. 21st May 2007- A fire broke out this morning at 4.45am this morning at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, which was put out by the London Fire Brigade by 06.28am. The ship was undergoing a major conservation project and everyone involved in the project is devastated. It was a quarter of the way through and so much work has already been carried out. However, 50% of the ship had been removed for conservation reasons, including the masts, the coach house and significant amount of planking, so it could have been a lot worse. We know that there is major damage to the tween decking and some of the ship's iron work has buckled but we have yet to assess the full extent of the damage. When the original fabric of the ship is lost, the touch of the craftsman is lost, history is lost. To lose the timbers and iron frame of the ship is to lose not just maritime heritage but part of our national heritage. We must save as much as we can and hopefully the fire has left us much to still conserve. This is a significant blow for us, and a major set back to the people working on the project. It will take us a significant amount of effort and funding to get the work back on track £25m pounds was needed to preserve the ship; we had £18m pounds raised already and now we are appealing for help close the funding gap and to get us through the crisis and return the ship to its former glory. One thing is certain - we will now redouble our efforts to save the world's most famous clipper ship. It has been rescued twice before, in 1922 and 1953 â€" this will be third time lucky. Now more than ever the Cutty Sark needs support from all her friends across the world. Details of how to make a donation are available on the Cutty Sark website at www.cuttysark.org.ukor donations can be sent to the Cutty Sark Trust at 2 Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BG.