The greatest 24-hour run ever accomplished by a sailing ship was one of 436 nautical miles made by the _Lightning_ when crossing the Atlantic on her maiden passage. The second greatest run was also made by the _Lightning_. This was 430 miles when running her easting down bound out to Australia in 1857, and on the following day her run was 360. This wonderful performance drew the following letter from Captain Enright to his passengers, and I think it will dispose of the 60 miles to a degree accusation, at any rate as far as the _Lightning_ and her commander are concerned:—
21st March, 1857. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,—I cannot help informing you of the extraordinary run we have made during the last 48 hours—or rather allowing for change of time, 46 hours and 48 minutes. During this time we have run, by thoroughly good and trustworthy observation, no less than 790 knots or 920 statute miles, being an average of nearly 17 knots or more than 19½ statute miles per hour. Yesterday our noble ship made no less than 430 knots amounting to an average during the 24 (23½) hours of more than 18 knots. Our change of longitude has amounted to 18 degrees, each degree being equal to 44 miles.
I firmly believe this to be the greatest performance a sailing ship has ever accomplished.
I hope this information will in some degree compensate you for the inconvenience which the heavy weather has occasioned you.
And I remain, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, Very faithfully yours, A. ENRIGHT, _Commander_.
If further proof is wanted that Captain Enright did not allow 60 miles to a degree, but only 44 as he states to his passengers, here are the noon positions found by observation, not account only, from which the runs can be verified on the chart.
March 18, Lat. 42° 34′ S., Long. 17° 04′ W. 19, Lat. 43° 0′ S., Long. 7° 17′ W. 20, Lat. 43° 0′ S., Long. 0° 55′ E.
The following is a list of all runs of 400 miles and over, which I have been able to verify.
March 1, 1854.—_Lightning_ 436 miles. March 19, 1857.—_Lightning_ 430 miles. February 6, 1855.—_James Baines_ 423 miles. February 27, 1855.—_Donald Mackay_ 421 miles. June 18, 1856.—_James Baines_ 420 miles. February 27, 1854.—_Red Jacket_ 413 miles. January 27, 1855.—_James Baines_ 407 miles. July 6, 1854.—_Red Jacket_ 400 miles.