[2][a] Built by Donald McKay of East Boston, Massachusetts, Sovereign of the Seas was the first ship to travel more than 400 nautical miles (740 kilometres) in 24 hours.

[3] On the second leg of her maiden voyage, she made a record passage from Honolulu, Hawaii, to New York City in 82 days.

She then broke the record to Liverpool, England, making the passage in 13 days 13+1⁄2 hours.

In 1853 she was chartered by James Baines of the Black Ball Line, Liverpool for the Australia trade.

In 1854, Sovereign of the Seas recorded the fastest speed for a sailing ship, logging 22 knots (41 km/h).