Plea to keep Cutty Sark project afloat after blaze

AN emotional plea for the world to help save the Cutty Sark was issued yesterday, after the iconic 19th century vessel was ravaged by fire.

The Cutty Sark Trust, the charity charged with preservation of the ship, spoke of the “devastation” of those involved in conservation work on the national landmark after the blaze.

The fire, which broke out as the ship was in a dry dock in Greenwich, London, is being treated as suspicious. Police are examining CCTV footage and have appealed for witnesses.

It is thought the fire will add millions more to the £25 million (€36.5m) bill for conservation work under way on the ship, which has been closed to visitors since last November.

The trust had already raised £18 million towards the tally before the blaze, but has warned the £7 million shortfall now looks “significantly larger”.

Richard Doughty, chief executive of the Cutty Sark Trust, said they would “redouble their efforts” to preserve the famous clipper.

He said earlier the trust found it “hard to believe” anything it had done could have set the ship alight, adding there was nothing electrical at the heart of the ship, where the fire started.

The ship had been due to reopen in November 2009. but the trust has warned there could be a “significant delay” to its plans.