Cutty Sark in such a short undergarment caused Tam to cry out "Weel done, Cutty-sark", which subsequently became a well known catchphrase. Originally, carvings by Hellyer of the other scantily clad witches followed behind the figurehead along the bow, but these were removed by Willis in deference to 'good taste'. Tam o' Shanter riding "Meg" was to be seen along the ship's quarter. The motto, "Where there's a Willis away", was inscribed along the taffrail. "The Tweed", which acted as a model for much of the ship which followed her, had a figurehead depicting Tam o' Shanter. "Cutty Sark" was destined for
Cutty Sark Australia. He achieved this by taking a more southerly route than previously, to catch the strongest winds in the Roaring Forties despite having to face icebergs, gales and storms whipped up by the winds he sought. "Cutty Sark" was the fastest ship on the wool trade for ten years. In July 1889 the log of the modern passenger steamship recorded that when steaming at 15–16 knots she was overtaken in the night by a sailing ship doing 17 knots, which proved to be "Cutty Sark". Eventually steamships began to dominate the wool trade too and it ceased to be profitable