| As trade flourished between different parts | | | | sailing ships that flew through the waves. |
| of the globe in the 19th century, it was | | | | Previous commercial shipping had not managed |
| important to have an efficient and speedy | | | | to achieve 5 knots but the clipper ship's |
| means of transport for goods. The clipper | | | | target was 9 knots; this was often exceeded. |
| ship was the answer. These were very fast | | | | The different ship owners were extremely |
| vessels with numerous large sails. They did | | | | competitive with each other and newspapers |
| not have the capacity for carrying a large | | | | entertained the public by publishing the |
| amount of cargo but their speed was their | | | | speeds of the main vessels. Pirates and |
| greatest attribute. The most famous of these | | | | smugglers also took advantage of these ships, |
| ships were built by the British and Americans | | | | glad of the speed and maneuverability that |
| but they were popular in European countries | | | | they offered. |
| too. | | | | |
| | | | The ships were in constant service and were |
| The British had various colonies, which they | | | | usually salvaged after 20 years of use. The |
| wanted to exploit to the full. Ships sailed | | | | golden age of the clipper ship could not last |
| on trading routes between Europe and the | | | | forever, as modern innovation overtook it. |
| East. Cargo was very valuable, especially tea | | | | Steamships gradually became dominant, for |
| from India, silk from China and spices from | | | | passenger travel and cargo. Steam Clippers |
| various countries. The Tea Clippers were | | | | were employed for a while, a combination of |
| particularly fast and had elaborate sail | | | | sail and steam engines. The reliability of |
| systems. The most famous of these is the | | | | the steamship, not dependent on the wind, was |
| Cutty Sark, currently in dry dock in | | | | ultimately preferred. This was brought to a |
| Greenwich, England and a popular tourist | | | | head in 1869 when the Suez Canal was opened. |
| destination. Of the clipper ship fleet that | | | | This gateway to Asia was ideal for the |
| still remains, this is the ship that is best | | | | steamship but was unsuitable for sail. |
| preserved. | | | | |
| | | | The public of today is still fascinated by |
| Other routes were also in demand , such as | | | | the world of sail and the clipper ship. |
| the Trans-Atlantic passage and the route | | | | Certain ships have passed into folklore, such |
| between New York City and San Francisco. In | | | | as the Marco Polo, that achieved a 60 day |
| addition to cargo transport, the ships were | | | | round voyage between England and Australia. |
| used to carry passengers and mail. The public | | | | These ships have become museums, allowing us |
| was thrilled with the romance of these | | | | an insight into the past glories of sail. |