 Decline in the use of clippers started with the economic slump following the Panic of 1857 and continued with the gradual introduction of the steamship.Although clippers could be much faster than the early steamships, clippers were ultimately dependent on the vagaries of the wind, while steamers could reliably keep to a schedule.The "steam clipper" was developed around this time, and had auxiliary steam engines which could be used in the absence of wind.