The Blue Jacket came from the well-known yard of R.E. Jackson in East Boston. The Blue Jacket arrived in the Mersey on 20th October, 1854, having made the run from Boston, land to land, in 12 days, 10 hours.
The Blue Jacket on her arrival was bought by James John Frost, of London, and put on the berth for Melbourne as one of the Fox Line of packets, the other two being owned by the White Star Line.
The Blue Jacket was extremely like the McKay ships in appearance. She was designed to stow a large cargo, having a full mid-ship section, but her bow was long and sharp enough.
Her chief measurements were:
Length of keel 205 feet. Length between perpendiculars 220 feet. Length overall 235 feet. Beam 41.6 feet. Depth of hold 24 feet. Registered tonnage 1790 tons.Her poop was 80 feet long and 7 feet high, and she had 8 feet of height between decks. She had the usual accomodation arrangements, two points only being perhaps worth noting; the first was a line of plate glass portholes running the length of her 'tween decks, and the second was an iron water tank to hold 7000 gallons.
Blue Jacket sailed for Melbourne on 6th March, 1855, in charge of Captain Underwood, and made a magnificent run out of 69 days. She further distinguished herself at a later date by making the homeward run in 69 days.