Riggers have climbed to the dizzy height of 152ft to ensure the Cutty Sark is looking its best for its 150th anniversary next month.
To help it reach speeds of 17 knots, the ship had more than 11 miles of rigging, an original sail area of 32,000 sq ft across 32 sails, and a main mast standing at 152ft.
Chris Wood, from TS Rigging, which helps maintain the vessel, said: “Some people say we must be fearless to work up in the rigging. It goes against all your survival instincts to be up that high but, if you like heights, it’s a fantastic job.
“The sunsets from up on the rigging, with the red skies over London sites such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and The Shard, are truly spectacular.”
The historic ship, which survived storms that ripped its rudder off on two occasions, a dismasting in the First World War and a terrible fire in 2007, reopened as a visitor attraction in Greenwich in 2012.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here