Press Statement on Cutty Sark Fire
The University of Greenwich is working in an ongoing partnership with the Cutty Sark Trust to help conserve the ship.
University researchers are making software predictions to ensure the Cutty Sark is dismantled and restored in the safest possible way, and are working on two new projects with the Trust, to help conserve the vessel for the next 50 years, and discover why it was such a fast ship.
Chris Bailey, Professor of Computational Mechanics at the University of Greenwich, says: “I and my colleagues have been working for several years with the Trust, in particular with Peter Mason, Chief Engineer, to develop a digital representation of the ship that has been used to inform the conservation programme. These computer techniques have the ability to predict the structural behaviour of the ship and how to maintain it for the next 50 years.
“Today’s fire is an awful event. I was absolutely shocked to hear the news early this morning as events were reported. Although the images on TV appeared to show severe damage to the ship, we are now hopeful after it has been confirmed that over 50% of the vessel was not on site, and that much of the iron hull structure is still standing. Our computer technologies have demonstrated that the iron fabric of the vessel is very sturdy, even in its deteriorated state due to corrosion. Of course now we may have extra damage due to the fire and this needs to be assessed.
“The University of Greenwich is fully committed in its efforts to save the Cutty Sark for Greenwich and the nation. Our team of computer scientists will continue to work closely with the Trust to help ensure that the masts of Cutty Sark appear on the London skyline for many years to come.”
For digital images of the ship, interviews and information contact:
Hester Brown
Press Officer
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 7663
Mob: 07876 193 481