'Virtual' repairs for Cutty Sark

The Cutty Sark is one of the last surviving Victorian tea clippers

Computer models are to be created to help save an historic Victorian ship which is in danger of rotting away.

The team behind a £10m plan to restore the Cutty Sark, berthed in dry dock in Greenwich, south-east London, fear it may not survive the process.

They say removing its wooden timbers could make the iron hull fall in.

Now the University of Greenwich is to make a computer model of all aspects of the restoration, so they can test options "virtually" before it starts.

Creating the model will take two years and is being backed by a £135,000 grant from the Department of Trade and Industry.

The computer models will offer an invaluable tool to help us interpret the ship Trust director Richard Doughty

It is hoped the expertise developed could then be used by other heritage projects around the world.

Professor Chris Bailey, from the University of Greenwich, said the computer models would show which order to remove planks in and how to support the structure.

He said: "Our models will allow us to test every possible option, and by answering these questions, we should be able to save the ship from collapse.

"Finally, we will be able to reveal the mystery of how this ship still stands up - and make sure it continues doing so into the future."

'Avoid mistakes'

The Cutty Sark Trust has applied for a £11.75m Lottery grant to conserve the ship and turn it into a new hi-tech tourist attraction.

It says rust and rot are eating away at the ship and it will have to close to visitors in 2007 if nothing is done.

Trust director Richard Doughty said: "The computer models will offer an invaluable tool to help us interpret the ship - and avoid us making a costly mistake."

Proposals for its future include suspending it in a "kevlar web", allowing visitors to walk underneath to get the best view of its hull.

A decision on funding is expected next January and, if successful, work could start in September 2006.