The original build of the "Cutty Sark" bankrupted the Yard that built her, because the spec was so high, a great deal of special work went into her construction.

For all that she never beat the ship she was designed to beat - "Thermopylae" - An extreme composite clipper ship designed by Bernard Waymouth of London and build in 1868 by Walter Hood & Co., Aberdeen for the White Star Line (George Thompson & Co.), Aberdeen.

Under the command of Captain Robert Kemball, late of the "Yang-Tsze". On the 8th November 1868, the "Thermopylae" sailed on her maiden voyage from Gravesend to Hobson's Bay, Melbourne, in 63 days. The fastest passage on record.