What next for Cutty Sark?
It will be two weeks before a structural survey of the wrecked and unsafe Cutty Sark can assess whether the iron hull has been damaged. The charity responsible for its restoration, the Cutty Sark Trust, has also been unable to get access to a series of 3D gauges which would indicate whether any damaging movement has taken place and it cannot draw up a formal plan of action for the next step – salvage and restoration. Engineers have established the extent of the surface damage. The bad news is that all three decks have been lost and the strain beam, or new support system, has also been damaged. The lead paint on the ironwork has turned to powder, causing safety concerns which will delay the cleaning process. There are concerns about rust. The damage has put an estimated extra £10m on to the original restoration cost of £25m and will add between six to nine months to the project. It was due to be completed by the end of 2008, and open to the public in spring 2009. The good news is that,
