London’s burning
Anna:
May 21st, 2007
I was upset to hear today that the Cutty Sark went up in flames last night. Thankfully, because of ongoing restoration work, large parts of the ship had been removed for conservation work, so the fire did not cause as much damage as it might have. The 19th Century ship is an imposing sight, and I used to enjoy walking along the river front when I lived in Docklands, marvelling at the contrast between Canary Wharf on my side of the river and the elegant Cutty Sark on the Greenwich side.
There are suspicions that the fire may have been started deliberately. I can’t imagine what would lead anyone to torch a 138-year-old tea clipper, and a key piece of Britain’s maritime heritage. I remember reading the “Last Grain Race” by Eric Newby, which catalogues Newby’s experience as a young man aboard a clipper. Battling strong winds, high seas and difficult conditions, never mind his fellow seamen, the stint aboard seems to have been the making of Newby. Perhaps if this turns out to be an arson committed by a group of “bored” youths, they should be packed off on a sailing ship to the South China Seas! Maybe more effective than more “normal” forms of community service?