Masts go back upon restored 'Cutty Sark'

One of Britain's most historic vessels, the Cutty Sark, had her masts raised yesterday for the first time since the ship was damaged by fire four years ago.

A crane was used to lower the ship's foremast into place yesterday morning, in her permanent berth in Greenwich, south-east London. The main mast was hoisted later in the day, and the final mast is expected to go up today.

It was a landmark day for the 19th-century tea clipper, which was ravaged by a fire when it was in the early stages of restoration in May 2007.

Cutty Sark chief executive Richard Doughty said: "It's extraordinary that we have got here, five years on from when we took the first plank off. The Cutty Sark has ridden its luck. It's quite an extraordinary survivor."