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
Blackadder (clipper) the new ships based upon "The Tweed". Although similar below the water and of very similar size, the two ships looked somewhat different from "Cutty Sark". Maudsley and Co. were contracted to construct the ship, although they were an engineering company relatively inexperienced with whole ship design. This was not dissimilar to Willis' choice in builders for "Cutty Sark" which was also a new and inexperienced company, which in that instance became bankrupt before "Cutty Sark" was completed. The contract was signed in June 1869 and the ship launched March 1870, to the highest Lloyds standards and using the best