Cutty Sark Figurehead destroyed

[Tinkerbell]

Here in England on 21st May the famous ship Cutty Sark was damaged by fire, it seems the upper deck is irrepareable along with the figurehead, a wonderful sculpture of the seductive witch in Robert Burns poem "Nannie". The story goes that Tam O Shanter had stumbled apon a witches 'ceitidh' and became spellbound by one of the three witches who was particularly attractive and wore a cutty (short) sark (nightgown/shirt) of patterned linen. In his excitement Tam shouted out calling his maiden in her cutty sark and alerting the witches to his spying and he fled on his horse to the river as witches would supposedly not follow across. Nannie flew angrily after him and just as he approached the bridge she lurched forward grabbing the tail of Tam O Shaters horse which came off in her hand. The figurehead depicts Nannie, her outstretched hand with the horses tail, her cutty sark of linen falling away at the breast as she speeds ahead on the wind, her angry determined face still with a deep beauty. This is just such a great shame that after braving the water she is finally (like other witches of her time) to be burned. :(

[Merlion]

Thanks for the nice story.

You mean this figurehead, holding on to the tail of a horse?

http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/upload/img_400/D4879_2.JPG

[Merlion]

Oh! The above figurehead shown on the ship, now burnt, is a replica. The original should still be around, according to the official website below.

Cutty Sark the World's Last Tea Clipper (http://www.cuttysark.org.uk/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.qtbiwnyisuwhrfeb&pageId=223)

...A replica figurehead currently adorns the ship's bow and the original figurehead is in the Trust's collection of museum objects. Cutty Sark's figurehead was designed by Hercules Linton (who also designed the ship), and carved by F. Hellyer of Blackwall. When Cutty Sark still sailed, the apprentices on board the ship would make a horse's tail from old rope and place it in Nannie’s outstretched arm.

[Tinkerbell]

Oh Bless You, then all is not lost! and there was me all woefull (being in England you would have thought Id have the news correct! lol) thanx, you made my day!

[Merlion]

....wore a cutty (short) sark (nightgown/shirt) of patterned linen.
Now I know what is a cutty sark. Need to see one.

[Tinkerbell]

Ha Ha, I think its an old version of a baby doll nightdress lol

[evaldart]

A shame for sure. I will admit, she is better-chested than most artistic renditions of a witch. And wearing lingerie, to boot.

[Merlion]

Here is a picture of the original figurehead.

http://www.figureheads.co.uk/misc_images/cutty_sark_fig_r3_c1.jpg

You can visit it if you are in London, details here. (http://www.cuttysark.org.uk/)