Brilliant

An iron full-rigged ship built in 1877 by Duthie, Aberdeen. Dimensions: 254'8"×39'7"×24'2" and tonnage: 1666 GRT, 1613 NRT and 1488 tons under deck.

1877 July: Launched at the shipyard of Duthie, Aberdeen, for J. Duthie, Sons & Co., Aberdeen. Assigned the official British Reg. No. 77437 and signal RBKC. Employed in the Australian trade.
1877 October 2 - December 20: Sailed from the Start to Sydney in 79 days. The main royal sail was set during the entire voyage. Making her easting she made three consecutive days run of 340, 345 and 338 miles.
1879 August 30 - November 15: Sailed from the Lizard Point to Sydney in 77 days. The Pericles, which sailed from the Start at the same time beat the Brilliant to Sydney with one day.
1881 February 2 - May 1: Sailed from Sydney to London in 88 days.
1883 April 19 - August 4: Sailed from Sydney to London in 107 days.
1886 February 3 - May 7: Sailed from Sydney to London in 93 days.
1888 January 26 - April 18: Sailed from Sydney to London in 83 days, 79 days out to the Channel.
1890 January 25 - April 22: Sailed from Sydney to London in 87 days.
1905: Sold to Italian owners.

References:

Square-rigged ships, general references.
Lubbock, Basil: The Colonial Clippers.
Brown, Ferguson & Son, Glasgow, 1948 (2nd).

Updated 1997-05-01 by Lars Bruzelius