Journal of Architectural Conservation
Volume 14, Issue 2, July 2008
Conserving the Cutty Sark
Electrolysis Treatments for a Grade I Listed Clipper Ship
Gina Crevello and Paul Noyce
Paper Summary
The Cutty Sark clipper ship is currently undergoing a major conservation, restoration and expansion in order to become a world-class museum and conference centre. The full-scale works are currently in progress, though hindered by a fire that swept the hull of the ship on 21 May 2007. One of the major mechanisms of deterioration to the ship was the corrosion of the wrought iron frame, which has been accelerated by chlorides. The intention of the original conservation plan was to carry out electrolysis for chloride ion removal from the iron frame in vulnerable areas of the ship. The evolution of the rationale for the electrolysis will also be discussed in relation to trials performed prior to the involvement of the authors. Post-fire requirements changed the specified scope of work, though the research to date had been very promising. This paper discusses the history of the ship and construction, corrosion and accelerated chloride induced corrosion. It then describes electrolysis treatments and the removal of chlorides, the results of the work in this area carried out by Electro Tech CP and others, and relevant post-fire considerations.
|
Figure 5 Loss of section in stringer plates. View is of iron strakes on the starboard side after wooden plates had been deconstructed for trial work.
Figure 6 Pack joints of stringer plates under the main deck. This area suffers from the ingress of water from the upper deck plates.
|
Gina Crevello
Gina Crevello was formerly trained as an architectural conservator. She has experience with many different masonry materials as well as in cultural resource management. Gina began working with Electro Tech CP three years ago and now specifically deals with corrosion control and treatments in historic structures, buildings, and artefacts.
Paul Noyce
Paul Noyce has a background of electrical and electronic engineering and has been working in the field of electrochemistry since 1991. With over 17 years of experience, Paul has been innovative in the use of electrochemistry for corrosion control to concrete and historic masonry structures. His work has covered chloride extraction, realkalization, galvanic and impressed current cathodic protection, and more recently the use of electrolysis and electro osmosis.
.
More information on the Journal of Architectural Conservation.
How to subscribe.