In the end, clippers lost out to steamships, which could pass through the recently-opened Suez Canal and deliver goods more reliably, if not quite so quickly, which as it turned out was better for business. Her legendary reputation is supported by the fact that her captain chose to continue this race with an improvised rudder instead of putting into port for a replacement, yet was only beaten by one week. However, she did not distinguish herself in this trade in the most famous race, against Thermopylae in 1872, both ships left Shanghai together on June 18, but two weeks later Cutty Sark lost her rudder after passing through the Sunda Strait, and arrived in London on October 18, a week after Thermopylae, for a total passage of 122 days. The Cutty Sark was destined for the China tea trade, at that time an intensely competitive race across the globe from China to London, with immense profits to the ship to arrive with the first tea of the year. She was designed by Hercules Linton and built in 1869 at Dumbarton in Scotland, by the firm of Scott & Linton, for Captain John 'Jock' 'White Hat' Willis, and launched November 23 of that year.

The Cutty Sark is named after the short shirt worn by the fleet-footed witch featured in the poem Tam o' Shanter written by Robert Burns. All sheet ply sections are laser cut for accuracy. The Sergal Kit of the Cutty Sark Features: A double plank on frame hull construction, building plans with general details, English instructions, lost wax brass castings walnut and lime planking, wooden masts and spars, brass and walnut fittings, etched brass details, rigging cord, copper plates for the hull, and silk flag. However, she did not distinguish herself in this trade, but in the famous race, against Thermopylae.

She is now preserved in dry dock at Greenwich London, England.Ĭutty Sark was destined for the China tea trade, at that time an intensely competitive race across the globe from China to London, with immense profits to the ship to arrive with the first tea of the year. Sergal Cutty Sark Tea Clipper 1869 1:78 Scale Wooden Model Ship KitĬutty Sark was built in 1869, and is one of the last sailing clippers to be built, and she is the only classic clipper still surviving.

Cutty sark clipper ship model kit