Summary

Scale model constructed by Mr Michael Molesworth, Spectrum Instruments, Mount Martha, in 2007-2012, depicting the famous Ball Black Line clipper ship "Lightning". Rigging and above deck fittings, spars and sails were completed by Mr Alan Tyler, of Crib Point, during 2010-2015. Model scale of 1:48 (1/4-inch to the foot).

The wooden-hulled square-rigged three-masted 'Lightning' was built by Donald McKay, of East Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, at a cost of £30,000, for James Baines & Co's Black Ball Line, based in Liverpool, England. The vessel was one of the last really large clippers to be built in America, and was the first purpose-designed and built clipper ship commissioned specifically for the Australian passenger trade of the 1850s goldrushes. The Canadian-born designer and builder Donald McKay followed the ship design principles of John Willis Griffiths, shaping the Lightning's hull to have 16 feet (4.9 m) of concavity in her bows and a beautiful fine run, with a moderate deadrise and a good full midsection with tumblehome, allowing her to be fast yet stable with good sail-carrying ability. Launched on 3rd January 1854, the 'Lightning' was commissioned on 18th February 1854, after a final internal fit-out in Britain at a further cost of £2,000. She was the largest British merchant sailing ship afloat when launched and was regarded as one of the most well appointed vessels of her era. The original 'Lightning' made 16 voyages from England to Victoria between 1854 and 1869, carrying some 5,597 passengers and a lot of return cargo including gold and wool. She was destroyed by fire at her moorings while loading wool at Geelong on 31 October 1869. During her career, she claimed numerous speed records - including one 436 nautical mile run in 24 hours, at the time the fastest day's sailing ever logged under sail - and the record that was never bettered for a return passage from Melbourne to Liverpool (via Cape Horn) in just 63 days.

Dimensions of the original ship: 226 ft long (at load displacement line) × 44 ft extreme breadth × 23 ft depth, 2,048 tons gross, 1468 tons register.
Original ship constructed by: Donald McKay, East Boston, U.S.A. for James Baines & Co, of Liverpool, in 1853-4.

Physical Description

The Lightning - Key Historic Ship Dimensions: Hull dimensions: 226 ft long (at load displacement line) × 44 ft extreme breadth × 23 ft depth Moulded Dimensions: 228 ft long x 43 ft breadth x 23 ft 8 in depth Registered Dimensions: 243 ft long (knightheads to taff rail) × 42 ft 8 in breadth × 23 ft depth 'Tween Decks: 7½ ft high Length overall: 243 ft Main Mast: 164 ft high Fore Mast: 151 ft high Mizzen Mast: 115 ft high Main Yard: 95 ft long Lower Stunsail Booms: 65 ft long Fore Yard: 87 ft long Bowsprit: 42 ft long overall (21 ft outside knightheads) Tonnage: 2,048 tons gross, 1468 tons register

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