The _Lightning_ loaded in Train’s Line at Constitution Wharf, and sailed for Liverpool, February 18, 1854. The Boston _Daily Atlas_ of that date published the following account of her departure: “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, fore-and mizentopsails, and had a moderate breeze from west to southwest. 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 cutwater, 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 thirty miles east of Boston Light, with all drawing sails set, and going along like a steamboat. We think her talented designer and builder, Mr. McKay, cannot improve upon her model. Her commander, being a pious man, was attended down the harbor by a select party of brethren and sisters of the church, who at parting gave him their blessing. This is much better than the dram-drinking and vociferous cheering which usually make up the parting scenes of the unregenerated.” The voyage so auspiciously begun proved one of the most remarkable ever made by a ship on the ocean; for before the _Lightning_ set her pilot signal off Point Lynas, she had left more miles of salt water astern in twenty-four hours than any vessel that has ever sailed the seas propelled by winds and canvas. From the abstract log, published in the Liverpool _Albion_ soon after her arrival, it appears that she went round the north of Ireland, making the run to Eagle Island in 10 days, and to the Calf of Man, within 80 miles of Liverpool, in 12 days, thence to Liverpool in 13 days 19½ hours from Boston Light. Her day’s runs were as follows: 1.--“February 19th. Wind west-southwest, and northwest, moderate; 200 miles. 2.--20th. Wind north-northeast and northeast, strong breezes with snow; 328 miles. 3.--21st. Wind east-southeast with snowstorms; 145 miles. 4.--22d. Wind east-southeast, a gale with high cross sea and rain; 114 miles. 5.--23d. Wind north. Strong gales to east-southeast; ends moderate; 110 miles. 6.--24th. Wind southeast, moderate; 312 miles. 7.--25th. Wind east-southeast and southeast. Fresh breezes with thick weather; 285 miles. 8.--26th. Wind west-southwest, moderate; 295 miles. 9.--27th. Wind west-northwest, moderate; 260 miles.