I'm sure the Cutty Sark will be restored in spite of the damage. She is too much of a national icon to scrap.

Good point re the Carrick clipper though by Guitar & others. I had never heard of her until yesterday - just seen a photo of her on the BBC website - WHAT a mess! I notice there is no mention of her on the Scottish Maritime Museum Irvine webpage, surprise surprise.

There's a parallel here with other "heritage" areas like old railways. Lots of well meaning people have "preserved" old locos, aircraft, ships etc. since the 1950s with no real idea of the enormous sums involved not just in restoration but in conservation and ongoing expenses.A friend of mine just happens to run a major public railway museum in the UK. There is NEVER enough money - one engine can cost millions to restore. And at least you can stick a steam loco on a low loader and move it - what the **** do you do with something like the Carrick?