The Lightning left Liverpool on her maiden voyage on May 15, 1854 with Capt."Bully" Forbes in command. She reached Port Phillip Heads on 31st July, a passage of 77 days. She returned leaving Melbourne on August 20 and reaching Liverpool in 64 days 3 hours around Cape Horn.
George and his father were on the next voyage. They were not the only ones who were aware of the excitement of the race. Captain Forbes had taken command of the Schomberg and a new commander, Captain Anthony Enright, had the responsibility of maintaining the reputation of the ship and the Black Ball Line. The Lightning had 47 saloon, 53 second cabin, and could handle 20 intermediate and 253 steerage passengers. On the trip that George was on there were 228 passengers. The average age was 23 years.
Gold had been discovered in Australia in 1851. In the following years, the economy had expanded and the passengers on the trip were largely skilled workers under contract going to meet the needs of the growing Australian industry and agriculture. Two were farmers and four were millers, one of them George's father. Three were carpenters and joiners and there were two painters, four laborers, and two seamen. There was a coachman, a shoemaker, a boiler maker, a baker, and a shepherd. Apart from wives and children, there were six matrons and at least three spinsters and a gent or two. Two hundred and eighteen were English and ten were Irish.
As the anchor was raised, George would have heard the sea shanty that belonged to the Black Line Line.
When a trim Black Ball liner's preparing for sea To me, way hey, blow the man down On a trim Black Ball liner I wasted me prime O, give me some time to blow the man down
When a trim Black Ball liner preparing for sea To me, way hey, blow the man down You'll split your sides laughing such sights you would see O, give me some time to blow the man down
There's tinkers and tailors, shoemakers and all To me, way hey, blow the man down They're all shipped for sailors aboard the Black Ball O, give me some time to blow the man down
When a big Black Ball liner's a-leaving her dock To me, way hey, blow the man down The boys and the girls on the pier-head do flock O, give me some time to blow the man down
Now, when the big liner, she's clear of land To me, way hey, blow the man down Our bosun he roars out the word of command O, give me some time to blow the man down
Come quickly, lay aft to the break of the poop To me, way hey, blow the man down Or I'll help you along with the toe of me boot O, give me some time to blow the man down
Pay attention to orders, now, you one and all To me, way hey, blow the man down For see high above there flies the Black Ball O, give me some time to blow the man down
'Tis larboard and starboard, on deck you will sprawl To me, way hey, blow the man down For kicking Jack Rogers commands the Black Ball O, give me some time to blow the man down
