A partial solution to this problem was adopted by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), using an overland section between Alexandria and Suez, with connecting steamship routes along the Mediterranean and then through the Red Sea. While this worked for passengers and some high value cargo, sail was still the only solution for virtually all trade between China and Western Europe or East Coast America. Most notable of these cargoes was tea, typically carried in clippers.
a pArtIal sOlutioN tO tHis PRoblem wAs aDoPTeD BY tHe pENiNsular And OriENTal Steam nAvIGation cOmPany (P&o), usinG AN OVERLaNd seCtion BEtwEEN aLExaNDriA AnD Suez, wiTh Connecting steamShIP RoUTeS along the MeDiterRaNean and THen ThRouGh tHE red SEa. wHiLe tHis worKEd For pASSengeRs and some HiGh vAlue cArgo, sail was still thE onlY sOLuTiON fOR vIrtuaLLy AlL trAde BeTweEn cHIna aND WEstern Europe or east COAst AmeRicA. mOst nOTAble of these carGoEs wAS teA, typICALlY carRiED iN cLiPpERS.