The Lightning

On February 18, 1854, the Lightning sailed from Boston with Captain James Nicol Forbes in command; along with his famous first officer, Billy Bragg, and Lauchlan McKay. The Lightning ran from Boston Light to Rock Light, Liverpool in 13 days, 19 1/2 hours, with a best day's run of 436 nautical miles eclipsing the Red Jacket's 413-mile record by 23 miles. Several times over the course of her maiden voyage she logged a speed of 18 1/2 knots.

Duncan McLean of the Boston Atlas was also aboard for the first Liverpool run. He described the beginning of the Lightning's maiden voyage:

At two o'clock the Lightning hove her anchor up, and at 3 o'clock discharged her pilot off Boston Light. She went down in tow of the steamer Rescue, Captain Hennessy, and was piloted by Mr. E. G. Martin.

Before the steamer left her, she set her head sails, and fore and mizzen topsails, and had a moderate breeze from W. to S. W. She appeared to go at the rate of 6 knots under this canvas, though she draws 22 feet of water and has only 23 feet depth of hold.

Not a ripple curled before her cutwater, nor did the water break at a single place along her sides. She left a wake straight as an arrow, and this was the only mark of her progress. There was a slight swell, and as she rose, one could see the arc of her forefoot rise gently over the sea as she increased her speed.

The following extract from the Lightning's logbook appeared in the Liverpool Albion soon after her arrival.

Feb. 19-Wind, W.S.W. and N.W., moderate. Distance 200 miles.

Feb. 20-Lat. 43° 5', Long. 59° 25' S. Wind, N.N.E. and N.E.., strong breezes with snow. Distance 328 miles.

Feb. 21-Lat. 41° 30', Long. 57° 0'. Wind, E.S.E., with snow storms. Distance 145 miles.

Feb. 22-Lat. 42° 5', Long. 54° 45', Wind, E.S.E., a gale with high cross sea and rain. Distance 114 miles.

Feb. 23-Lat. 42° 45', Long. 52° 44'. Wind N., with strong gales to E.S.E.; ends moderate. Distance 110 miles.

Feb. 24-Lat. 46° 30', Long. 47° 45', Winds, S.E., moderate. Distance 312 miles.

Feb. 25-Lat. 49° 15', Long. 43° 20'. Winds, E.S.E. and S.E., fresh breezes with thick weather. Distance 285 miles.

Feb. 26-Lat. 51° 5', Long. 37° 19'. Winds, W.S.W., moderate. Distance 295 miles.

Feb. 27-Lat. 52° 38', Long. 22° 45'. Winds, W.N.W., moderate. Distance 260 miles.

Feb. 28-Lat. 52° 30', Long. 13° 50'. Winds, W. and N.W., steady breezes. Distance 306 miles.

March 1-Wind South. Strong gales; bore away for the North Channel; carried away the fore topsail and lost jib; hove the log several times and found the ship going through the water at the rate of 18 to 18 1/2 knots; lee rail under water and rigging slack. Distance 436 miles.

March 2-Wind South, first part moderate, latter part light and calm.

March 3-Wind, light winds and calms.

March 4-Wind, light S.E. winds and calms; at 7 a.m. off Great Orme's Head. 12 noon off the N.W. lightship.

The Lightning had sailed from Boston to Liverpool in 13 days, 19 1/2 hours, and upon arrival, had the distinction of being the swiftest ship that ever sailed the seas. It would be 35 years before a steamship would better the Lightning's best day's 24-hour run of 436 miles.

Upon her arrival, £2,000 went for additional decorations and furnishings below deck. James Baines also insisted on adding a moonsail at the main over the skysail as well as a slew of ringtails and watersails to add to her vast clouds of canvas.

The two great clippers Red Jacket and Lightning moored together along the Mersey River at the same time receiving their renovations and many Liverpudlians dropped by for a look at both of them.

The rivalry of the upcoming anticipated race to Melbourne, Australia between the Red Jacket and Lightning, between the two rival shipping lines, grew with each passing day throughout Liverpool and large sums of money rode on the outcome of that race. It was a high stakes exciting rivalry and the victor could claim to have the fastest ships and command top dollar for passenger fares to Australia, although there seems to have been some kind of gentlemen's agreement between the rivals at the time concerning the matter of passenger fares.

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