I knew nothing of this until I had been to visit the Cutty Sark on Friday, but everyone I have talked to since has immediately spoken of the fire that engulfed the ship on 21 May 2007. So here is a newspaper article from the Daily Mail about the fire:
"Fire has ripped through the Cutty Sark, reducing the iconic 19th century tea clipper to a charred wreck.
Scores of firefighters battled to save the ship but flames 100 feet high engulfed the hull at its drydock in Greenwich.
Police immediately began an arson inquiry after residents reported an explosion at around 4.45am.
The 280ft-ship, built in 1869, was undergoing a £25 million refit aimed at securing its future as one of London's leading tourist attractions and symbol of Britain's maritime heritage.
Experts restoring the Cutty Sark, once the world's fastest tea clipper which had survived the worst the sea could throw at her, described the blaze as a "devastating blow".
Chris Livett, chairman of the Cutty Sark Trust, said it had caused extensive damage to the main deck, the tween deck and the lower deck as well as planking on the hull, which had not yet been removed for restoration.
But there was some relief when it emerged many of the ships's historic artefacts, including its figurehead. sails, masts, prow and coach-housing had previously been removed."
I have to say the work they have done on it is beautiful. The floorboards and information boards made from the polished wood of the tea chests are gorgeous.
The Captain's dining room is sumptuous.
I'll let you in on the 'Captain Jack Sparrow vibe' of the top deck soon.
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