Tea History-clipper race

The entry of America intensified competition in the tea trade. American millionaires made their fortunes in the beverage trade. America began direct trade with China soon after the Revolution was over in 1789. America's newer, faster clipper ships out sailed the slower, heavier English "tea wagons" that had until then dominated the trade. This forced the English navy to update their fleet, a fact America would have to address in the War of 1812.The new American ships established sailing records that still stand for speed and distance. America was able to break the English tea monopoly because its ships were faster and it paid in gold.
The Clipper Days: By the mid-1800 the world was involved in a global clipper race as nations competed with each other to claim the fastest ships. England and America were the leading rivals. Each year the tall ships would race from China to the Tea Exchange in London to bring in the first tea for auction. Though beginning half way around the world, the mastery of the crews was such that the great ships often raced up the Thames separated by only by minutes. However, by 1871 the newer steamships began to replace these great ships.