I've long thought this[*]. We'd not be talking about going back to Clippers (beautiful as they were), rather we'd apply all that we've learned of hydrodynamics

I've long thought this[*]. We'd not be talking about going back to Clippers (beautiful as they were), rather we'd apply all that we've learned of hydrodynamics since, and we'd certainly hook the ships' guidance computers into the global weathersat/weather forecasting services, so there's no chance they'd ever lack for wind (they'd just navigate by where the wind is/is going to be when they get there.) I see no reason why a sailing ship shouldn't be almost fully autonomous (modulo docking/harbour operations) and capable of hitting highly-predictable schedules. We might need more of them if we have to make them much smaller than today's container vessels, but I guess we might be able to live with that if they cost much less to run. [*] about 45 years... ;)