On her maiden voyage, which was rounded between New York and England, the Flying Scud did not realize the expectations of her owners or builders as to speed, due to experiencing much heavy weather outward and homeward. Captain Patted was in command and leaving New York, Mar. 23, 1854, she was 29 days to Liverpool. After return to New York she was chartered for the lump sum of $30,000 for a voyage to Melbourne and sailed, Sept. 28, 1854, under command of Capt. Warren Bearse of Hyannis. When two days out, in the Gulf Stream, she was struck by lightning twice, the first time forward, when several men were knocked down. In the second instance, she was hit between the main and mizzen masts when most of the men on deck were knocked down. The ship was not materially damaged but the needles of the compasses revolved with great rapidity, when was thought due to the iron cargo in the after hold having become magnetized. The ship had to be laid to and thereafter, until Dec. 7th, the compasses had to be used on a board extending 10 feet out from the port side. She crossed the line on Oct. 26th and on Nov. 5th was in 27* 41' South, 29* 30' West. The following day she ran 449 nautical miles. Then for a week had variable weather, calms and strong gales; often logged 15 and 16 knots. Ran her easting down in about 44* South and between Nov. 24th and Dec.10th, made 106* 54' of longitude, the actual distance covered, as figured by Lieutenant Maury, being 4620 nautical miles, an average of 288 miles for the 16 consecutive days. She arrived at Melbourne in 80 days from New York. Then went to Calcutta in 45 Days. Sailed from Calcutta, April 30, 1855, and was 110 days to Liverpool. Arrived at New York, in March 1856, from Marseilles, when Capt. Rodney Baxter of Hyannis, Assumed command, Captain Bearse retiring to take the John Wade.

At New York, in November 1861, a one-eighth interest in the ship was sold for $3500. She loaded for San Francisco and with Captain Harding still in command, sailed from New York, Feb. 28, 1862. The first 2-1/2 days out had hard gales; in 66 hours ran 1053 miles; crossed the line 23 days out; thereafter had light winds nearly all the way, not having to reef topsails until just south of the equator in the Pacific. Arrived at San Francisco, June 27th, after a passage of 118 days. Leaving the port, July 28th, she was 44 days to Valparaiso. Arrived at Liverpool, Mar. 14, 1863, from Cobija.

The Flying Scud was sold a London, in April 1863, and became the British ship Cestrian, of Liverpool, J. Thompson owner. From 1865 to 1871 she is listed as owned in Liverpool, by G. H. Pickering, and commanded by Captain Fotergill and later by Captain McGarrey.