Bold adventures of the Cutty Sark

Bold adventures of the Cutty Sark

By Deborah Sharma

Strolling aboard timeless decks of Cutty Sark
in 1870 she did first proudly embark,
sailing from England to Shanghai in the East
carrying spirits and goods on which to feast

Suez Canal brought steam ships to compete,
Cutty would struggle to match and defeat.
In 1877 she shipped her last Chinese tea freight
Who could foresee times were not to be great?

Cargoes ranged from coal to Australian mail.
But crew comradery was sure to fail
with the new captain’s bullying first mate,
harmony plummeted at an alarming rate.

First mate Smith killed a fellow sailor,
but instead of being guarded by his jailor,
dishonest Captain Wallace helped him escape.
Now things were not to be at all shipshape!

In unity, the Crew indignantly protested,
with lack of winds poor Cutty was arrested.
For three days stranded in the Java Sea,
the captain jumped overboard to flee.

His body was lost at sea though no one cared,
as New Captain and First mate were declared.
They would bring Cutty into first rate trading,
amongst her foes she surpassed their grading.

From Australia, carrying wool sailing faster
than other ships, Cutty was a Maritime master.
In 1885, Captain Woodget was daring and bold,
he would challenge how clever Cutty would hold.

Riding the most violent seas and gales on Earth,
risking shipwreck when leaving her safe berth.
She travelled further south than she ever would.
Woodget would photograph wherever she stood.

Striking images of passing icebergs imposing,
to placid Sydney harbour calmly reposing.
But the 1890s saw Cuttys steady decline,
as steam ships outshone in wool trade line

To a Portuguese firm she was sold,
renamed Ferreira in her new mould.
Portugal warred with Germany but she was not sunk,
Though damaged in bad weather losing a solid chunk

Retired captain Dowman’s fondness did prevail,
in 1895 bringing her home her from her final sail.
In Falmouth Harbour, Cutty was restored.
Her trials behind her, she lay safely moored

Taking proud place as a wool and tea clipper,
but now without the duties of a trading shipper.
Until 1950s, she served as training for cadets,
then towed into Greenwich with no regrets.

In 2007, she survived and emerged from fire,
although it did ravage her, it proved to be dire.
The public outpouring of sincere support,
rebuilt her greatness at her final port.

Though Cutty miraculously never did sink,
I sink into her, submerged in her past link.
as I soak up the escapades of her travels,
My sense of seafaring adventure unravels.
- Deborah Sharma