The _Lightning_ loaded at Constitution Wharf, Boston, and sailed for Liverpool on 18th February, 1854, whilst the _Red Jacket_ sailed from New York on the following day, and great interest was shown in shipping circles as to which should make the best passage across the Atlantic. In the end these two magnificent clippers arrived in Liverpool on the same day, 4th March, their exact times being:— _Red Jacket_—Sandy Hook to Rock Light 13 days 1 hour. _Lightning_—Boston Light to Rock Light 13 days 19½ hours. 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.