Last updated on February 18th, 2021
Cutty Sark: two words that instantly convey adventure, stealth, the open sea and the might of British engineering. One of London’s most treasured landmarks, the Cutty Sark is turning a grand 150 years young, and to celebrate, the Greenwich museum has laid on some very merry birthday celebrations. So, batten down the hatches, and check out some fun facts about Cutty Sark that will bring out your out your inner Peter Pan and your swashbuckling Jack Sparrow.
She’s 150 years old
Cutty Sark was built in 1869 for the shipping magnate John “Jock” Willis. Her maiden voyage began on the 16 February 1870, bound for Shanghai with a cargo of wine, spirits and beer. She came back carrying 593,000 kg of tea, docking into London on the 13 October.
She’s the world’s only surviving tea clipper
Cutty Sark is a Grade I listed monument, listed by National Historic Ships. She was damaged twice by fire but has come back fighting from the embers. Following an extensive restoration and preservation project, Cutty Sark re-opened in 2012, still retaining 90% of the original hull fabric.
All the tea in China
The long and short of it is, Cutty Sark was the fastest tea clipper that money could buy, built to satisfy the Victorians and their addiction to tea. She sailed to 16 countries and travelled the equivalent of two and half voyages to the moon and back. Cutty Sark would make eight tea jaunts from London to China and back, loading tea in Shanghai or Hankou and collecting up 600,000 kg of leaves each time. She would carry almost 4.5 million kilograms of tea between 1870 and 1877.
Rule Britannia
Cutty Sark by unknown Chinese artist 1870s-1880s
Tea race was a big thing back in those days, and massive bets were made on Cutty Sark’s maritime prowess. In 1872, she went against her rival, Thermopylae, in what was one of the most famous tea races of all time. Cutty lost her rudder in the Indian Ocean and was beaten by Thermopylae by seven days. In 1883, Cutty turned to wool trading with Australia, setting an 83-day record between New South Wales and London. This was 25 days faster than her nearest rival. For ten years, she would be the fastest wool trade ship in the world.
She’s copper-bottomed
The hull is sheathed in a patented alloy which is made of 60% copper and 40% zinc. Muntz metal, as it’s named, stops barnacles attaching themselves to the ship – perfect for keeping ‘ol Barnacle Bill at bay when you visit.
She’s very hands-on
Today, the Cutty Sark includes four decks of interactive displays, video, memorabilia and artwork. You can get up-close and personal with the ship by smelling and touching original cargo including tea, whisky and food samples. You can get touchy-feely with the copper hull, 90% of which dates to 1869, and even have a hand at the Captain’s wheel.
She has a saucy secret
Photo: Royal Museums Greenwich
Cutty Sark was made in Dumbarton in Scotland. No one knows exactly why Willis chose the unusual name, but we do know its origin: Cutty Sark means short nightie in Scots, made famous by Robert Burns’s poem, Tam O’ Shanter. A pretty witch called Nannie is the wearer of said nightie which is too small for her. As she dances around the fire, Tam exclaims, “weel done, Cutty-sark.” You can spy Nannie, and her cheeky nightie, on the ship’s bow.
It wasn’t all plain sailing
Steamships would muscle in to the sea-market, and by 1895, Cutty Sark was no longer profitable. She was sold to the Portuguese who renamed her Ferreira and used her for transport between Portugal and the Americas. In 1922, she was purchased by a sea captain by the name of Wilfred Dowman who used her as a training ship. Fast forward to 1954, and she docked into her permanent home in Greenwich.
She didn’t always ring a bell
A headstrong Cutty Sark officer nicked Cutty’s bell in 1903 when the ship was under Portuguese control. To retaliate, the Portuguese stole the bell from the nearby Shakespeare. When Cutty Sark was sold to Captain Dowman in 1922, the British thief returned the original bell.
She has royal connections
In May 1953, HRH Prince Philip commemorated the ship’s transfer of ownership to the Cutty Sark Preservation Society. Today, Cutty is a permanent memorial to the Merchant Navy and to the 44,000 men lost in both world wars.
It’s full of personal touches
A total of 653 men from 30 different nations served on the Cutty Sark – the youngest being 14 years old and the oldest, 56. Read a touching letter sent by apprentice C.E. Ray to his mother in 1894, (“I have not had a day’s illness of any kind since I have been aboard this ship. Not even a headache.”) and check out the books, clothing, photos, games and souvenirs the sailors took on-board.
You can visit when it rains
The ship is permanently dry-docked under a magnificent glass and steel canopy under which you can gaze up at her mighty skeleton. With three indoor decks, including a new, light-filled subterranean hall, you can comfortably visit the Cutty Sark come rain or shine, and if it pours, your time on the top deck need only be minimal.
She has some of the best views in London
With sweeping views over the Thames, need I say more?
She strikes a good pose
Discover the world’s largest collection of merchant navy figureheads, the only remnants of ships which once sailed the high seas. Characters include Sir Lancelot, Cleopatra, Boadicea, Florence Nightingale and Cutty’s great rival, Thermopylae.
She does a tealightful tea
Photo: Royal Museums Greenwich
A trip to Cutty Sark wouldn’t be complete without a cuppa, right? Take a pew inside the original hull for Afternoon Tea. The £27 menu includes a selection of sandwiches, an Earl Grey raisin scone, a selection of mini cakes and a pot of British brew. Bubbles optional for an extra £4.50.
She’s a star attraction
The star of India was the original stern decoration for the ship.
Royal Museums Greenwich, which comprises Cutty Sark, together with the National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and Royal Observatory, is a top-10 UK visitor attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to celebrate Cutty Sark’s 150th Birthday
For an evening bursting with Victorian silliness and song, head over to the Cutty Sark Theatre for Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, Pirates of Penzance. I dare you not to sing along to the Major General’s Song. 21 to 24 March. Tickets £28 (includes a welcome drink).
The Irish also have a spectacular boat and the oldest surviving ship in the French Navy: the Bantry Long Boat. Join Irish artists for an evening of music and poetry: From the Coble Coast to Bantry Bay – The Poetry and Music of the Sea. 24 May. Tickets £16
Set sail on a ship of stories aboard Cutty Sark storytelling, strictly for adults. Join Sally Pomme Clayton and composer musician Emma Clare as they perform their specially composed piece, Mother Danube. 7 June. Tickets £15
Help Cutty Sark celebrate the National Maritime Museum’s new moon exhibition by creating a traditional Malaysian Moon Kite. 3 and 4 August. Free with admission.
For a full-list of year-round events, check here.
Cutty Sark is open daily from 10am to 5pm. You can book your tickets here:
This is a sponsored post, and I was a guest of Cutty Sark. As always, all views and opinions are my own.
#CuttySark150
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31 Comments
Angela Vincent
April 7, 2019 at 7:44 pmI love the Cutty Sark and her copper bottom. She is often our first port of call with visitors, especially if they have children,a though I have to say adult visitors enjoy her just as much. I have a lot of affection for this grand old lady #farawayfiles
Scarlett
April 9, 2019 at 9:27 amShe is absolutely grand, Angela, I am so pleased you and your family have her in your hearts.
Annabel
April 4, 2019 at 4:07 pmWe visited the Cutty Sark at half term, it’s such a brilliant day out isn’t it? I’m rather tempted to return without my kids for the afternoon tea! #FarawayFiles
Scarlett
April 4, 2019 at 4:33 pmIt’s such a fantastic day out, and tea is always a good idea!
Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles)
April 4, 2019 at 2:29 pmI had a thing about the Cutty Sark when I was a child. Not sure why, perhaps it was the romantic idea of sailing the seas on such a beautiful ship. I didn’t visit until a couple of years ago with my kids and I was so impressed with how interactive the visit is. You’re inspiring me to go again. Thanks for sharing on #farawayfiles
Scarlett
April 4, 2019 at 4:32 pmThanks Clare. They have done a superb job on all the interactive elements – without over-modernising it.
Janis
April 4, 2019 at 1:26 pmIt’s years since I last ventured onto the Cutty Sark, we’ve visited Greenwich so many times as I have a lot of family ties there. I think its about time I jumped back on board. #farawayfiles
Scarlett
April 4, 2019 at 2:12 pmIt’s a fantastic day out with the family Janis.
Trish
April 4, 2019 at 1:01 pmWell this has definitely convinced me to visit. Greenwich is an area of London that I keep saying I must visit – can’t believe I’ve never been.
I love the link with Tam o’ Shanter: we visited Brig o’ Doon in Alloway where Nannie chased Tam and grabbed hold of the tail of his horse, Meg. It would be good to see the figurehead.
#farawayfiles
Scarlett
April 4, 2019 at 2:11 pmWhat a fantastic story Trish, so yes you must absolutely go and see where it all began with Tom and naughty Nannie!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
April 3, 2019 at 6:35 pmSo very interesting Scarlett, I know my husband would enjoy seeing it and especially the way it has been preserved. In the U.S., the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is still afloat in Boston harbor, it is over 200 years old. The wooden hulled, three masted Navy frigate can be visited but unfortunately they don’t serve tea…perhaps because of a certain infamous “tea party”. 🙂
Scarlett
April 4, 2019 at 9:26 amYes, not quite our sort of tea party, Karen! But a visit to the USS Constitution would be so interesting (and Boston, which I have missed on all my Stateside trips).
Nicky@Go Live Young
April 1, 2019 at 9:38 pmWe love the Cute Sark. Would love to try their afternoon tea #culturedkids
Megan - truly madly kids
March 31, 2019 at 4:52 pmMy son and I visited the Cutty Sark last summer and had such a lovely day out. Just like you, I loved the cafe and the views! I jest, we loved it and there is so much to do, see and learn – my son loved the game to try and get her back to London as quick as you could! A real London gem #culturedkids
Scarlett
April 1, 2019 at 3:49 pmI’m so happy you and your son enjoyed your day out at Cutty Sark. She has a very special place in London’s hearts.
the Curious Pixie
March 24, 2019 at 3:12 pmLove the Cutty Sark as do the girls! Such a great day trip.
Scarlett
March 24, 2019 at 4:55 pmIt’s a great day out, rain or shine.
HELENA brown
March 27, 2019 at 8:15 pmMy grandad helped when the cutty sark first went into dry dock. He was a painter and decorator and I have several photos of the work taking place
Scarlett
April 1, 2019 at 3:48 pmThis is fantastic Helena, I would love to see them if you could email them. diary@diaryofalondoness.com. I am sure the Cutty Sark would be interested to see these too!
louise
March 22, 2019 at 10:56 pmWow… This ship certainly has a lot of history! All that tea!!! She must have been wor”shipped” very much by the tea-loving Brits 😉
I need to go and visit Cutty. She is real beauty! Love the story about the short nightie! #culturedkids
Louise x
Scarlett
March 23, 2019 at 7:30 amYou’re getting good at this, Louise ☺️ Cutty is full of fun secrets, and she’s looking fab for her birthday.
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays
March 22, 2019 at 7:09 pmThe Cutty Sark was one of the first places I visited in London when I was a child, we took our kids their and they loved it too. #CulturedKids
Scarlett
March 23, 2019 at 7:31 amShe’s a national treasure! ♥️
Lauren (Where the Wild Kids Wander)
March 22, 2019 at 5:27 pmThis is awesome! My father has a replica of the Cutty Sark and I think it would be awesome to see in person. Thank you for sharing the details! #culturedkids
Scarlett
March 23, 2019 at 7:32 amHope you and your wild kids get over to London soon so you can say hello to the old girl!
scots2travel
March 22, 2019 at 2:13 pmI remember when the Cutty Sark visited Aberdeen harbour. I was tiny but my father made sure we saw her. I think the name Cutty Sark is pure titillation, at a time when you couldn’t see a woman’s ankles the thought of a wee nightie must have been ‘invigorating’.
Scarlett
March 22, 2019 at 2:27 pmShe’s a racy Scots lady for sure, in more ways than one.
Zenbabytravel
March 22, 2019 at 12:20 pmWe love Cutty Sark on sunny days but as you say it’s making a great visit even on grey rainy skies! Didn’t know about the Portuguese times, glad is back with us at Greenwich! #CulturedKids
Scarlett
March 22, 2019 at 12:31 pmYes, thank goodness she’s ours now! And on dry land, so to speak!
Esther Louisa
March 22, 2019 at 8:40 amI love the idea of the ships having a ‘tea race’ – brings really interesting images to my mind. I’d definitely consider a visit here next time we’re in London – glad to hear it’s quite hands on. #culturedkids
Scarlett
March 22, 2019 at 11:09 amYes, it’s brilliant for kids, but I watched the adults all get quite immersed in it all as well!