I forgot the story behind this figure-head and the white horse tail being held by
this lady in her left hand. An older Englishmen told it me. He spoke to me for at least
10 minutes with a fabulous "genuine maritime accent" worthy a cinematic pirat story.
The origin of "Cutty Sark" is a pivotal character in the poem "Tam O Shanter" by Robert Burns. The tail is from Tam's horse, and symbolizes a close call after a foolish escapade.