The "Cutty Sark" last of the clipper ships is being repaired in dry dock somewhere in England. She was built in 1869; her sister "The City of Adelaide" 1864, is just a hull on the shores of Scotland. I hear the the third and last clipper remaining is rotting on the beach near Punta Arenas (Sandy Point) Chile.
The clippers were tea haulers, small compaired to other ships but could sail east and fetch a moderate load and return at a clip turning a quick buck. In the day, fast horses were called clippers. The ship's name actually means something akin to short underclothing or short shirt. All this is tied somehow to the Scottish witch Nannie made famous in the Robert Burns' tale
" Tam o' Shanter"
See rock group - Dire Straits "One Handed Sailor"
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