Category : London
Date : 15.03.2004
Printable version
The Cutty
Sark, one of Britain's best loved ships, is crumbling and on the verge
of falling apart.
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Her only hope of being saved is a ground breaking experiment
that has never been tried before. Can a top team of scientists rescue
her from destruction?
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Since she arrived at her dry dock in 1954, the Cutty
Sark has been one of London's most extraordinary landmarks.
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As the last surviving clipper built for the China Tea
trade in 1869, the Cutty Sark is also a major part of Britain's Maritime
history.
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For the last half century, she has played host to and
delighted hoards of visitors. She's a national treasure. But
her days could be numbered.
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The Cutty Sark is corroding to such an extent that she
won't last the next 50 years without speedy intervention.
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But they can't just take her apart, remove the corrosion
and put her back together again.
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The Cutty Sark is the only ship to be Grade I listed.
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So a team of scientists from the University of Portsmouth
have been brought in 聳 and they think they have the answer.
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By a process of electrochemistry, the team have already
successfully saved marine vessels such as the M33.
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But the Cutty Sark is unique 聳 it is a composite
structure of iron and wood, and this will be the first time that these
techniques will be used on a composite construction.
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And it's not going to be easy. As the scientists work
alongside the ship's technical department, funding, leaks, and finding
eco-friendly preservatives are just some of the things that the team
have to deal with on the way.
This film will chart the history of this magnificent ship, reveal her
day to day life as a working museum, and follow the drama of the cutting
edge experimental process.
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Can they save the Cutty Sark?
Saving the Cutty Sark, 大象传媒
ONE (London), Monday 22 March, 11.15pm
