A fire broke out on the Cutty Sark early this morning, and the fire is being treated as "suspicious". Luckily about 50% of the ship, including the masts, had been removed whilst the restoration was going on. What was left, however, was "100% alight".
The Cutty Sark is a relic of Britain's imperial hey-day, built in 1869 and used for the tea trade between China and London. It is a symbol of speed under sail, and must be preserved as history demands. She has always needed money, never more so today, and hopefully enough money will come in to fully restore her. Pretty much the only ship more important to British history is HMS Victory.
If the fire on the Cutty Sark was indeed arson, then I have to concur with Dizzy - bring back the death penalty! People who consciously and deliberately destroy historical artefacts really piss me off.
UPDATE: Reuters video of the fire.
Sources: BBC - article 1, article 2; The Times, The Guardian
