Cutty Sark Pocket Manual

The Cutty Sark was a tea clipper built in 1869 for the Jock Willis Shipping Line, one of the last tea clippers to be built and one of the fastest. It was turned to the trade in wool from Australia and held the record time for a journey to Britain. After finishing her time in service as a cargo ship, it was transferred to permanent dry dock at Greenwich, London, for public display. This pocket manual collates original documents to tell the story of how the legendary Cutty Sark was commissioned, designed, built, life on board, and her notable journeys.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 144 pages
\n Publication date: 22 February 2018
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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Cutty Sark, a remarkable tea clipper constructed in 1869 for the Jock Willis Shipping Line, stands as one of the last tea clippers to be built and one of the fastest. With its sleek design and impressive speed, Cutty Sark played a significant role in the tea trade during its heyday. However, its fortunes changed with the advent of the Suez Canal and the increasing dominance of steamships on shorter routes. As a result, Cutty Sark was repurposed for the trade in wool from Australia, where it set a remarkable record for the fastest journey to Britain. After serving its time as a cargo ship and a training and cadet ship, Cutty Sark was permanently docked at Greenwich, London, where it became a popular public display.

This captivating pocket manual is a compilation of original documents that shed light on the fascinating story of the Cutty Sark's commission, design, and construction. It delves into the life on board the ship, including the experiences of the crew and passengers. The manual also highlights the notable journeys undertaken by Cutty Sark, including its service in the tea trade and its transition to the wool trade.

The construction of Cutty Sark began in 1869 at the Clyde shipyard in Glasgow, Scotland. The ship was designed by John Brown & Company, a renowned shipbuilding firm known for its innovative designs. The hull of Cutty Sark was built using iron frames and plates, which were then covered with copper to protect against corrosion. The ship's main mast, which reached a height of 108 feet (30 meters), was made of teak wood and was adorned with a gilded figurehead depicting a cutty shark.

Cutty Sark was commissioned by the Jock Willis Shipping Line, which was known for its fast and efficient tea trading routes. The ship was named after a famous Scottish merchant named John Willis, who had played a significant role in the tea trade. Cutty Sark was completed in 1869 and was immediately put into service on the tea routes.

During its early years, Cutty Sark enjoyed great success on the tea routes. It was known for its speed, efficiency, and luxurious accommodations, which attracted wealthy passengers and crew alike. The ship's captain, William McMaster, was a skilled navigator who was known for his ability to navigate the treacherous waters of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea with ease.

However, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the increasing use of steamships on shorter routes began to challenge the profitability of the tea trade. As a result, Cutty Sark was repurposed for the trade in wool from Australia.

Cutty Sark's first journey to Australia was in 1870, and it quickly became known for its speed and efficiency. The ship was able to make the journey from London to Sydney in just over 100 days, setting a new record for the fastest time to cross the ocean. Cutty Sark's success in the wool trade continued for ten years, during which it held the record time for a journey to Britain.

In 1880, Cutty Sark was retired from the wool trade and was converted into a cargo ship. It continued to ply the waters of the world, carrying goods and passengers between various ports. However, in 1892, Cutty Sark was sold to a shipping company in India and was converted into a training and cadet ship.

Cutty Sark's final years were spent in service as a training and cadet ship, where it provided young sailors with the skills and knowledge they needed to become successful seafarers. The ship was also used as a venue for various events and exhibitions, including the Royal Navy's annual fleet review.

In 1934, Cutty Sark was declared a national treasure and was placed in permanent dry dock at Greenwich, London. The ship was opened to the public in 1936, and it has since become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United Kingdom.

Today, Cutty Sark is a symbol of Britain's maritime heritage and a testament to the skill and ingenuity of the shipbuilders of the 19th century. The ship is a popular venue for weddings, corporate events, and exhibitions, and it continues to attract visitors from all over the world.

In conclusion, Cutty Sark is a remarkable tea clipper that played a significant role in the tea trade during its heyday. Despite its challenges in the 20th century, the ship has survived and is now a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Britain's maritime heritage. The ship's story is a testament to the skill and ingenuity of the shipbuilders of the 19th century and the enduring legacy of the tea trade.

\n Weight: 208g\n
Dimension: 127 x 186 x 17 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781472831422\n \n