Cutty Sark marks 150th anniversary of first launch

  • London

By today's speed records it's not immediately impressive - 73 days to get from London to Sydney. But in the 1880s the Cutty Sark clipper ship was recording the fastest ever journey times from England to Australia.

Costing a little over £16,000 to build, and with a crew of 27, the Cutty Sark carried beer, wool and tea around the world.

Since her first launch she has undergone heavy seas, war, neglect, fire and old age. Storms ripped her rudder off and caused a collision with another vessel, she lost her mast in the First World War and a terrible fire caused destruction throughout the ship in 2007.

Now fully restored the world's only surviving tea clipper sits serenely by the Thames in Greenwich as a visitor attraction.

On the Thames near Deptford, 1951 Credit: National Maritime Museum
View on board, 1951 Credit: National Maritime Museum
Reattachment of the rudder during restoration work in 2011 Credit: National Maritime Museum

This weekend the anniversary of her first launch will be celebrated on board with arts, crafts and stories. The event is free for Greenwich residents.

Credit: National Maritime Museum