HISTORY OF THE REAL CUTTY SARK

The Cutty Sark is a British clipper ship. Built on the River Leven, Dumbarton, Scotland in 1869 for the Jock Willis Shipping Line. She was built using composite ship construction, which was a method of placing wooden planking over a wrought iron frame. She was one of the last tea clippers to be built and one of the fastest, at the end of a long period of design development for this type of vessel, which ended as steamships took over their routes.

The Cutty Sark was destined for the tea trade, a seasonal trade of a high-value cargo from China to London. Under Captain George Moodie, her maiden voyage departed London on 15 Feb 1870, bound for Shanghai.  On this outward voyage the ship carried a general cargo, including wine, spirits and beer and manufactured goods. After successfully reaching China on 31 May, the ship was loaded with 1,305,812 lbs of tea. After only 25 days in port in Shanghai, the ship sped back to London, arriving via the Cape of Good Hope on 13 October the same year.
Before she retired the Cutty Sark sailed in eight “tea seasons”, from London to China and back

The Cutty Sark is listed by National Historic Ships as part of the National Historic Fleet
(The Nautical Equivalent of a Grade 1 Listed Building). She is one of only three fully intact vessels from the 19th century that used composite ship construction. The remaining ships being the clipper “City of Adelaide”, in Port Adelaide, South Australia, and the warship HMS Gannet located at the Chatham Historic Dockyard, United Kingdom. The only other significant remnant of this construction method is the beached skeleton of Ambassador, of 1869 lying near Punta Arenas, Chile.

USS CUTTY SARK – FEDERATION Centaur-class

The Centaur-class Starship represents a fascinating composite design that integrates elements from the Excelsior-class and the Miranda-class starships. Its structure prominently features the saucer and nacelles from the Excelsior-class, while the roll-bar is derived from the Miranda-class design.

Notably, the Excelsior’s shuttle-bay is uniquely positioned, facing forward atop the saucer. In a creative twist, the spares from the Miranda’s roll-bar have been inverted to function as nacelle pylons, effectively supporting the starship’s propulsion systems. Meanwhile, the weapons pod, turned upside down, forms the primary component of the secondary hull, housing two torpedo launchers: one facing forwards and the other rearward.

Equipped with type-9 phaser arrays, the Centaur-class ensures comprehensive defensive capabilities with full 360-degree coverage around the ship’s hull. Interestingly, the ship’s deflector is ingeniously concealed at the base of the secondary hull, contributing to its sleek profile.

The bridge module, borrowed directly from the Miranda-class, gives the Centaur-class continuity with its predecessor. Unique aesthetic features enhance its visual appeal, including copper-colored modules positioned behind the bridge and matching turrets. Additionally, various raised structures on the underside of the saucer not only add to its intriguing silhouette but also serve functional purposes.

Adding to its impressive specifications, the Centaur-class starship boasts a dedicated division of scientists and medical personnel, highlighting its role in exploration and research missions. This onboard team is equipped with advanced laboratories and medical facilities, enabling them to conduct scientific research and provide high-quality healthcare to the crew.

The science division specializes in fields such as astrobiology, geology, and astrophysics, making significant contributions to the understanding of new worlds and phenomena encountered during missions. Meanwhile, the medical personnel, led by experienced officers, ensure the health and well-being of all crew members through regular check-ups, emergencies, and any potential illnesses encountered in uncharted territories. Overall, the Centaur-class starship stands out as a remarkable achievement in starship design, blending innovative engineering with a commitment to science and health, making it a vital asset in the exploration of the final frontier.