Saved: The Cutty Sark
The future of the Cutty Sark has been secured by a £3.3 million gift from Sammy Ofer, the billionaire philanthropist.
The world-famous tea clipper was devastated in a fire on 21 May 2007. The gift closes the Cutty Sark Trust’s funding gap and will allow a major conservation programme to proceed. The ship was also given a £10 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in January.
Wonderful news
Council leader Chris Roberts said: "This is wonderful news for Greenwich and will ensure that this iconic landmark is saved for future generations.
"All of the borough and our millions of visitors are keenly awaiting the re-opening of the Cutty Sark, and the Council is working hard at this very moment to secure funds for the regeneration of Cutty Sark Gardens, to give the ship the setting she deserves."
Great for morale
Ian Bell, the trust’s technical manager, said: "The donation secures the future employment of the 60 or so people working on the conservation.
"We’ve been very well supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund but for someone to bridge the gap has been a big relief. We took the last of the timber planks off the ship last week, which was a turning point in the project, and now this has come, which is great for morale."
Ian has been involved with the ship since he left school 22 years ago, first as an employee, then sub-contractor and main contractor as Cutty Sark Enterprises, which is based on the ship.
It will be an emotional moment for him when the regeneration is complete, but Ian will continue to work there, creating a centre of excellence to provide maritime skills, especially for the people working on the Cutty Sark.
Memorial
When the project is completed in March 2010, the Cutty Sark will float once more, suspended three metres above the bottom of her dry berth.
The Trust intends to recognise Sammy Ofer’s significant gift by naming the space released underneath the ship in his honour. It is intended that the Ofer Berth will be a memorial to the men of the Merchant Service, both those lost during the great days of sail and during the two world wars.
2 July 2008