Exploring the History of the Cutty Sark | Lloyd’s Register Foundation

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Published 2024-07-17
The Cutty Sark remains the fastest sail-powered cargo ship to have ever traversed the world’s major trading routes in the late 19th Century. Behind this symbol of Britain’s global empire, is a much deeper history, one of service and enterprise which the Lloyd’s Register Foundation seeks to illuminate within its unique and fascinating archive.

In this video, Dan Snow meets Max Wilson and Zach Schieferstein, who have spent years delving into the Foundation’s collection of maritime history which provides a fascinating insight into the world of shipping and trade that laid the foundation of the British Empire. They’ll discuss what the archives tell us about Britain’s ‘rule’ over the waves, how such a detailed register of vessels helped facilitate its maritime strength, and how one small clipper ship gained eternal fame…

You can find out more about the history of Lloyd’s Register Foundation and their work supporting research, innovation and education to help the global community tackle the most pressing safety and risk challenges at hec.lrfoundation.org.uk/ or @LRFHEC

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00:00 Introduction
01:20 Britain's Global Trade
03:23 Steam vs Sail Power
05:39 Cutty Sark
07:44 Surveying Ships
13:01 Cutty Sark and the Tea Trade
17:30 Tea Races
18:21 Britain's Trade in China
20:27 Opium Wars
22:20 Cutty Sark's Later Life
25:29 Lloyd's Register Foundation
All Comments (21)
  • @janerkenbrack3373
    I might have missed it being mentioned, but a significant factor in the transition between sail and steam was the cost of fuel. Clipper ships were faster than steam ships for a long time, and could even compete in speed on some voyages well after the turn of the 20th century. But they could sail with a small crew without the purchase of coal. This made them more profitable even though steam ships could dominate routes where winds weren't as reliable. The opening of the Suez Canal was a factor. Steam ships could offset the cost of canal fees by needing significantly less fuel, whereas the clippers only saved time, and had to be towed through the cut. The canal was a huge advantage to steamships, but not so much to sailing vessels. Range was another factor, as steamships had to visit coaling stations throughout long voyages, where sailing ships never had to stop. Lastly, during the early days of steam, the smell and filth of coal burning would damage cargoes like tea, which kept sailing vessels employed as a better option for that and some other cargoes.
  • @SendBreadPics
    I'm getting the feeling that the british really, REALLY like their tea.
  • @user-yl4uj9xm7f
    저는 이 채널로 영국의 역사와 전통에 관심이 생겼습니다. 좋은 채널 🇰🇷❤🇬🇧
  • @syncopaint_minis3016
    I was in greenwich that morning it was on fire. Was mental. Walked straight past it on my way to trinity while the fire brigade were dealing with it. Beautiful ship.
  • @alanjackson1015
    Got to visit the original, pre burning, version. Fantastic to see in person
  • @MarcSherwood
    I wish I had seen this video before I had visited there. I was just in such a hurry to take a photo of my GMT watch on the timeline that I only spent a few min looking at this ship. I will have to go back.
  • @54mgtf22
    Thank you, HH. Always interesting.
  • @aaronleverton4221
    When I was c. pre-ten I was gifted a very large collection of Look and Learn magazines. Why is this relevant? Because one of the features was Jason January Space Cadet (those last two words meant something rather different back then, apparentlyd) and in one story set in whatever future century they were set in some dastardly (they also used the term "rotter" in Rob Riley) villain found a way to interrupt the world's wireless power supply, leaving Jason and the rest of the cadets to sail the Cutty Sark to France in order to establish communications. Well, a year or so later I saw the Poly Woodside in her permanent dock and was duly impressed, having no clue how actually small Melbourne's preserved iron-hulled barque is.
  • @michaelpjeffries1521
    A forest in Toronto kept Napoleon off British soil. As rest of upper Canada kept navy afloat. When Daniel Massey hired recent arrivals to clear land, then sell the abstainers farms and implements.
  • @MBCGRS
    Sovereign of the Seas was the fastest Clipper. 22 kts vs Cutty Sarks 17.5 kts
  • @mtauren1
    That ship in Greenwich is not 100% the original Cutty Sark