SCOPE OF WORK

The Cutty Sark Conservation Project is truly a unique initiative. The ship is constructed of a variety of materials which complicates the process of conservation, and therefore a unique conservation plan has been developed for Cutty Sark.  
 
Ellmer Construction are proud to be involved in the restoration of the historic 19th century tea clipper, the Cutty Sark, which was seriously damaged by a fire in 2007.

Ellmer are nearing completion of the re-fixing of the planks with new bolts to the hull of the ship in time for it to re-open in 2012.

The hull planks were in need of varying degrees of repair and have been removed from the ship to undergo carefully managed stages of detailed conservation. The client, Cutty Sark Enterprises, has tried to retain as much original material as possible.

The planks vary in size and are curved to follow the hull of the ship. They will be fixed to the iron ‘skeleton’ of the hull using nuts, bolts and washers. The bolt heads are recessed into the original holes of the planks.

Ellmer Construction are now supplying and installing the new main deck, forecastle deck and poop deck aswell as undertaking refurbishment works on the Liverpool House, other deck houses and the ships boats. We are also refitting many of the ships fixtures and fittings following the painstaking conservations works undertaken by Cutty Sark conservators. Now that the ship has been raised aloft in her dry dock, Ellmer Construction are supplying and installing the copper/bronze sheathing to the ships hull below her water line aswell as carrying out the fit-out works within the dry dock, back of house and visitor areas.

A substantial part of the vessel dates from her working life (1869 to 1922). Despite suffering serious fire damage in 2008 she will still be over 90 per cent original upon completion of the project. The Trust's conservation principles are to conserve the ship to ensure that the fabric of the ship that travelled to China and sailed round Cape Horn on the way back from Australia, is retained.

For more information about the Cutty Sark and the conservation project visit The Cutty Sark.