City helps keep Cutty Sark afloat
It may seem unusual that City types from the rarefied world of finance are getting involved in historic ship restoration, but the vessel in question is the Cutty Sark and the City folk are actually some of Londons top shipbrokers.
A fire last year caused problems for the restoration project. Dr Eric Kentley, curatorial consultant to the Cutty Sark Trust, said at the time that although the ship could be saved, it was ‘going to take much, much longer and a lot more money than we originally thought.’
However, six individuals from London brokerages: Keith Amato, director of ACM; Denis Petropoulos, joint managing director of Braemar Seascope; Robert Knight, managing director of tankers at Clarksons; Martyn Burst from Galbraith’s; Kevin Rose, director at Gibson; and Michael Brown, managing director of SSY, have raised £50,000 for the Cutty Sark Trust which will both safeguard the restoration project and increase its scope.
Speaking for the group, Mr Petropoulos of Braemar Seascope pointed out that the Cutty Sark was an important part of London’s heritage and all six companies believed it was a very good cause. He said, ‘As brokers, we almost have an obligation to help educate the world going forward about the splendours of our shipping heritage and of shipping in general. Ship broking is a very important part of the international maritime industry’.
Mr Amato added, ‘A lot of work has been undertaken on the project and we all felt it was right to contribute to the conservation.’
When the project is completed in March 2010, Cutty Sark will ‘float’ once more, suspended three metres above the bottom of its dry berth. This space will become a magnificent gallery and will also give visitors a unique opportunity to see the wonderful shape of the ship’s hull.
During the day the space will be a focus for learning and at night it will take on a truly enchanted atmosphere, making it a unique venue for all manner of community events and functions. In addition the gallery will be rededicated as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Service, both those lost during the great days of sail and during the two world wars.
