Changes

They set many speed records. The "''Flying Cloud''" in 1854 went from [[Boston]] to [[San Francisco]] in 89 days 8 hours.  The "''Sovereign of the Seas''" once sailed 421 nautical miles (227 km) in a day--an average of 20.2 mph (32.5 km/h), or 17.5 knots, which is faster than the cruising speed of most cargo ships today.  

They set many speed records. The "''Flying Cloud''" in 1854 went from [[Boston]] to [[San Francisco]] in 89 days 8 hours.  The "''Sovereign of the Seas''" once sailed 421 nautical miles (227 km) in a day--an average of 20.2 mph (32.5 km/h), or 17.5 knots, which is faster than the cruising speed of most cargo ships today.  

The [[American Civil War]] and the increasing use of composite iron and steel hulls led to a shift in clipper construction to Britain, where shipyards had been building smaller vessels of the clipper type for some time, but now began competing directly with the Americans. A golden age of the tea-clipper ensued with the races to bring the first of the seasons’ tea from [[China]] to the [[London]] tea-market, creating enormous public interest.  

The [[American Civil War]] and the increasing use of [[composite ship|composite]] iron and steel hulls led to a shift in clipper construction to Britain, where shipyards had been building smaller vessels of the clipper type for some time, but now began competing directly with the Americans. A golden age of the tea-clipper ensued with the races to bring the first of the seasons’ tea from [[China]] to the [[London]] tea-market, creating enormous public interest.  

::In 1866, 5 clippers left Foo Chow in China at about the same time with the two leading ships – ''Ariel'' and ''Taeping'' - arriving in London on the same tide, 99 days later. The last of the 5 arrived less than 2 days after the leaders.

::In 1866, 5 clippers left Foo Chow in China at about the same time with the two leading ships – ''Ariel'' and ''Taeping'' - arriving in London on the same tide, 99 days later. The last of the 5 arrived less than 2 days after the leaders.

The opening of the [[Suez Canal]] in 1869 spelt the end of the specialised tea-clipper. For a while they were used in the Australian wool trade and carrying South American nitrate - and as a large smuggling craft they were without peer -  but the development of the large 4 and 5 masted [[barque]]s with their enormous efficiency and a drop in the need for large cargoes to be transported very quickly led to a rapid end for this glorious craft.

The opening of the [[Suez Canal]] in 1869 spelt the end of the specialised tea-clipper. For a while they were used in the [[Australia]]n wool trade and carrying South American nitrate - and as a large smuggling craft they were without peer -  but the development of the large 4 and 5 masted [[barque]]s with their enormous efficiency and a drop in the need for large cargoes to be transported very quickly led to a rapid end for this glorious craft.

It is fortunate that one of the last of the breed was preserved as a museum. The ''[[Cutty  Sark]]'' resides at Greenwich, London, as a reminder of the era.

It is fortunate that one of the last of the breed was preserved as a museum. The ''[[Cutty  Sark]]'' resides at Greenwich, London, as a reminder of the era.