Lightning

Year: 1854 AD
Category: Modern
Vessel Type: Merchant Ship
Scale: 1/16" = 1 foot
Overall Length: 319.20 feet

Lightning was designed and built by Donald McKay at East Boston, Massachusetts in 1854. McKay was a ship designer and builder who sought speed under sail and designed 12 of the 13 clipper ships that achieved runs of 400 miles or more in one day. He was a noted visionary and leader in his field.

Lightning was one of his best clippers and is best remembered for her remarkable run of 436 miles in 24 hours, the fastest authenticated day's run ever made by a clipper ship.

Notice her forecastle deck and main deck house roof are joined by gangways, port and starboard, to the poop deck so that in essence she had an additional deck which allowed the crew to work the ship without the necessity of descending into the waist.