Their 24-hour runs opened the eyes of the packet ship commanders and in fact the whole world.
The _Red Jacket_ put up runs of 413, 374, 371, 343, and 300 against the _Lightning’s_ 436, 328, 312 and 306, thus there was little to choose between the two vessels on this point.
The _Boston Daily Atlas_ of 18th February, 1854, thus describes the _Lightning’s_ departure from Boston:—
At 2 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 mizen 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.
We have seen many vessels pass through the water, but never saw one which disturbed it less. Not a ripple curled before her cut-water, nor did the water break at a single place along her sides. She left a wake as straight as an arrow and this was the only mark of her progress. There was a slight swell, and as she rose we could see the arc of her forefoot rise gently over the seas as she increased her speed. At 5 p.m., two hours after the pilot left her, the outer telegraph station reported her 30 miles east of Boston Light with all drawing sails set and going along like a steam boat.
And the following extract from her log book was published in the _Liverpool Albion_ on her arrival.
Distance. Feb. 19 Wind, W.S.W. and N.W. moderate 200 miles. 20 „ N.N.E. and N.E. strong breezes with snow 328 „ 21 „ E.S.E. with snow storms 145 „ 22 „ E.S.E., a gale with high cross sea and rain 114 „ 23 „ N., strong gales to E.S.E.; ends moderate 110 „ 24 „ S.E., moderate 312 „ 25 „ E.S.E. and S.E., fresh breezes with thick weather 285 „ 26 „ W.S.W., moderate 295 „ 27 „ W.N.W. „ 260 „ 28 „ W. and N.W., steady breezes 306 „ March 1 „ 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 18½ knots; lee rail under water and rigging slack 436 „ 2 „ South, first part moderate, latter part light and calm. 3 „ Light winds and calms. 8 „ Light S.E. winds and calms; at 7 a.m. off Great Orme’s Head. 12 noon off the N.W. lightship.