The first of the two ships to reach Java after the race had begun was the

Thermopylae, but on the Indian Ocean, the Cutty Sark took the lead. It seemed

certain that she would be the first ship home, but during the race she had a lot

of bad luck. In August, she was struck by a very heavy storm during which her

rudder was torn away. The Cutty Sark rolled from side to side and it became

impossible to steer her. A temporary rudder was made on board from spare planks

and it was fitted with great difficulty. This greatly reduced the speed of the

ship, for there was a danger that if she traveled too quickly, this rudder would

be torn away as well. Because of this, the Cutty Sark lost her lead. After

crossing the Equator, the captain called in at a port to have a new rudder

fitted, but by now the Thermopylae was over five hundred miles ahead.