Champion of the Seas was the second largest clipper ship destined for the Liverpool, England - Melbourne, Australia passenger service.

[4] Champion of the Seas was "fuller aft than forward", and her strength of construction was an improvement over the Lightning, which Mackay had built the previous year.

James Baines ordered Champion of the Seas from Donald McKay of East Boston for the Black Ball Line of Liverpool.

She set the record for the longest day's run, 465 nautical miles (861 km) on 10–11 December 1854 on her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Melbourne.

[8] Between 1984 and 1991, a Pan Am Boeing 747-121 airliner (MSN 19641 / tail number N734PA) was named Clipper Champion of the Seas in accordance with this practice.