Description
The Cutty Sark is one of only three ships in London on the Core Collection of the National Historic Ships Register. She was designed by Hercules Linton and built in 1869 at Dumbarton, Scotland, by the firm of Scott & Linton. The original keel was rock elm and 17 inches (43 cm) thick, but was replaced in the 1920s with one constructed from 15 inches (38 cm) pitch pine. Her length was 212 feet 5 inches (64.74 m) with a draft of 21 feet (6.40 m) and a deadweight of 921 tons.
She was named after Cutty Sark (Scots: petticoat), the nickname of the fictional character Nannie Dee in Robert Burns’ 1791 poem Tam o' Shanter. In the poem the witch wore a linen sark that she had been given as a child, which explains why it was cutty, or in other words far too short, for her. The erotic sight of her dancing in such a short undergarment caused Tam to cry out "Weel done, Cutty-sark", which subsequently became a well known catchphrase. We do not know why the name was chosen by Jock Willis, ship's captain, He also named one of his other ships the Hallowe'en, the title of another Burns poem. Although "cutty sark" was a little unusual, it certainly suits a sleek, swift tea clipper, giving her an air of magic and mystery.
Obverse
In the upper part of the coin - the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Belarus and an inscription: РЭСПУБЛIКА БЕЛАРУСЬ (Republic of Belarus). In the central part - laser made hologram depicting wind rose. In the background - navigation map. Along the rim - the year of issue (2011) and the face value: 20 РУБЛЁЎ (20 roubles).
Reverse
In the centre - an image of Cutty Sark with a sea skyline in the background. Below it - a miniature of the ship (side view). On the right side - the inscription: Cutty Sark.
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