East Boston’s Record Setting Ships

Donald McKay, a master shipbuilder, built some of the fastest clipper ships from his shipyard on Border Street in East Boston. His most famous ship, The Flying Cloud set records when it made the journey from New York City to San Francisco in 89 days. The James Bains set the transatlantic sailing record on its maiden voyage when it sailed from Boston to Liverpool, England in 12 days and 6 hours! And The Lighting set the all-time record for a single day's sail by traveling 436 nautical miles in 24 hours.