After rounding the Horn, she had the usual weather up through the tropics, and arrived at New York on 6th May, 1853, having made the record passage of 82 days from Honolulu.
As she was considered to be too big for either the San Francisco or China trades, she was at once loaded for Liverpool, there to take part in the booming Australian emigrant trade.
And crossing the Western Ocean she once more made an extraordinary passage, as the following epitome shows:—
June 18—Sailed from New York, passed Sandy Hook at 6.30 p.m. „ 24—Sighted Cape Race at 6 a.m. „ 26—Becalmed on the Banks. „ 28—Distance run 344 miles—ship close-hauled under single reefed topsails. „ 30—Distance run 340 miles, under all sail to skysails and royal stunsails off Cape Clear at 6 a.m. July 2—Anchored in the Mersey at 10.30 p.m.
Passage New York to Liverpool, from dock to anchorage, 13 days 22 hours 50 minutes, and 5 days 17 hours from the Banks of Newfoundland.
Donald Mackay crossed the Atlantic on the ship and spent his whole time watching her every movement, and it was probably the experience gained on this passage which had much to do with the wonderful success of his later vessels.
On her arrival in Liverpool the _Sovereign of the Seas_ was at once chartered by the Black Ball Line. Captain Lauchlan Mackay, however, did not remain in her, but returned to New York, his place being taken by Captain Warner, who had been in the ship since she was launched.
Captain Warner sailed from Liverpool on 7th September, 1853, with 25 first cabin, 40 second cabin passengers and a cargo valued at £200,000, and wrote the following account of his passage to the _Liverpool Mercury_:—
I arrived here after a long and tedious passage of 77 days, having experienced only light and contrary winds the greater part of the passage. I have had but two chances. The ship ran in four consecutive days 1275 miles; and the next run was 3375 miles in 12 days. These were but moderate chances. I was 31 days to the equator and carried skysails 65 days; set them on leaving Liverpool and never shortened them for 35 days. I crossed the equator in 26° 30′, and went to 53° 30′ S., but found no strong winds. I think if I had gone to 58° S. I would have had wind enough: but the crew were insufficiently clothed and about one half disabled, together with the first mate. At any rate we have beaten all and every one of the ships that sailed with us, and also the famous English clipper _Gauntlet_ 10 days on the passage, although the _Sovereign of the Seas_ was loaded down to 23½ feet.