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
Lahloo (clipper) days; "Sir Launcelot", 102 days; Leander, 103 days; "Thermopylae", 106 days." "In 1871 the "Titania" won in 93 days; the "Lahloo", 111 days, from Foo-chow to London; and from Shanghai to London the "Thermopylae" was 106 days; "Cutty Sark", 110 days, and "Forward Ho", 118 days. This was about the last of the tea clipper racing, for the combined competition of steam and the Suez Canal proved too powerful for sail. No more tea clippers were built after 1869; by degrees these beautiful vessels were driven into other trades; and so the Clipper Ship Era drifted into history." According to