BRILLIANT
Shipbuildervessel built by
DUTHIE
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date17 July 1877
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumIRON
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 267' x breadth 39'9" x depth 24'
tonnage 1700 tons
tonnage 1700 tons
Object numberABDSHIP000574
Keywords
Yard Number: 158
Official number: 77437
Subsequent Name: NOSTRA SIGNORA DEL CARMINE (1905)
Fate: sunk by a submarine in the Gulf of Lions, 25 August 1916.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: 2 decks, 3 masts, ship rigged, round stern, clencher built, 3/4 female figurehead, iron built.
Owners:
1877: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
John Duthie, Alexander Duthie, shipbuilders, Aberdeen, 64 shares.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
(remains J. Duthie, Sons & Co. in Lloyd's until 1905)
1905-16: Maria Celle Vva. Gazzolo, registered at Genoa, Italy
Masters:
1879-94: Master C. W. Davidson
1895-1905: Master T. C. Carlton
1905-09: Master F. Gallo
1910-13: Master F. Delucchi
1913-16: Master A. Vassallo
General History:
18/07/1877:
The other launch took place, from, Messrs J. Duthie & Sons, yard at ten minutes past one o’clock, and the new vessel was also an iron ship of 1666 tons, and of the following dimensions length over all 267 feet; depth of hold, 24 feet; extreme breadth, of beam, 39 feet 9 inches. The christening ceremony was gracefully performed by Miss Ann Duthie, daughter of Robt. Duthie, who as the vessel glided off the ways, named her the BRILLIANT. This ship is also intended for the Australian trade, having been built the Messrs Duthie for their well-known line. She has one of Harfield’s capstan windlasses, and will fitted with condensing apparatus forward. For the accommodation of second class passengers she a deck-house between the fore and main masts, and a polished teak saloon and cabin for first-class passengers; has been erected aft. Lower masts and yards are of iron.
(Aberdeen Journal)
07/05/1879:
BRILLIANT, ship, of Aberdeen, Sydney for London, spoken 4 May, Lat. 49N, Long. 11W (off Ushant).
(Aberdeen Journal)
30/04/1881:
Ship BRILLIANT, from Sydney to London, arrived of the Lizard and reports that in Lat. 28.20N, Long. 43.15W [Mid Atlantic between N.W. Africa and W. Indies] she passed on April 2 a large vessel bottom up.
(Glasgow Herald)
17/05/1886:
Court of Admiralty, London - on 28 August 1885, BRILLIANT, on voyage London - Sydney with general cargo and crew of 28 hands, she was undertow in Thames Estuary. In rough weather the towing hanser slipped through defective windlass on BRILLIANT and she drifted onto the Yantlet Flats. Four tugs got the BRILLIANT (worth £80,000 with her cargo) of the Flats in dangerous conditions and sought compensation for salvage. Owners alleged the services were exaggerated. Court awarded £150 between the four tug owners.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
06/12/1887:
BRILLIANT, British ship, has arrived at Sydney partially dismasted.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
03/12/1888:
Ship BRILLIANT of John Duthie & Co.’s. Famous Aberdeen line of clippers arrived yesterday from Sydney in tow. She has been chartered to load wool for the London March sales - is the largest vessel ever to be placed on the wool berth here and shows rising importance of Newcastle in direct exportation of wool to the London market. Every effort will be made to get her away about 20 Dec. with about 7700 bales of wool. BRILLIANT was built expressly for London-Sydney trade and has remained on it except for 2 voyages. In the matter of spreading her white wings she has had a brilliant career. Except on one occasion (last year when she was dismasted) she has never exceeded 90 days either to or from London, while 70 days is among her smartest performances. Capt. Charles W. Davidson has been in command since her launch & is one of the most popular skippers in the service. His fine craft is the acme of order both below & aloft. Capt. Davidson is confident the vessel will enter the Thames in ample time for the March sales.
(Newcastle Morning Herald)
04/10/1892:
At about 9:45 last night fire was discovered in hold of ship BRILLIANT, lying at north coast co.’s. Wharf, Sydney. Large quantities of dunnage wood, with ropes & sails, were destroyed and a quantity of deck planking & a no. of the upward supports severely burned. On arrival of fire brigade 2 lines of hose were led out. Dense volume of smoke issue from main hatch and fire was seen to be blazing freely on tween decks. One fireman with a respirator was lowered. He poured copious stream of water onto fire round & aft of mast. Within 10 minutes density of smoke decreased & half an hour after its discovery outbreak had been completely subdued. Examination showed that fire had extended from main hatchway to about 30ft. aft. Capt. Davidson, when questioned about the fire, said he could not account for it.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
05/10/1892:
BRILLIANT, British ship, on fire at Sydney; extinguished with slight damage to vessel; cargo uninjured.
(Freeman's Journal)
06/10/1892:
BRILLIANT is one of best known as well as moat costly sailing ships of her tonnage in Anglo-Australian trade & a regular wool carrier. Bulk of her cargo is now in store for her & she was to be sent for the January sales. Survey showed that whole of the deck will have to be renewed and the iron plate and stringers taken out, straightened & repaired. Ship will go into dock tomorrow and Capt. Davidson fully intends that vessel will be ready to start for the January wool sales.
(Maitland Mercury)
26/01/1893:
Tug OCEANA collided with ship BRILLIANT, of Aberdeen, from Sydney, when taking her in tow. OCEANA had her foremast carried away and sustained other damage. BRILLIANT'S starboard bow slightly damaged. Both arrived Gravesend.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
15/01/1894:
BRILLIANT has arrived in London after quick passage of 79 days from Sydney & this scores 1st place in wool sailing fleet from Sydney so far this season. She has 7000 bales aboard.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
24/02/1894:
Well known Aberdeen clipper ship BRILLIANT has added another to her many fast passages by making the run to London in 79 days. She was the last ship despatched from Sydney for the January wool sales, taking 7001 bales and was amongst the first arrivals at home. For 3rd year in succession she has made the run home in less than 83 days, proving that she is one of the fastest ships in the trade.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal) [from Sydney Daily Telegraph]
29/07/1895:
BRILLIANT, Capt. CW. Davidson, completed yesterday voyage from London of 80 days. Left Gravesend 24 April & start point 29th. To the Cape much light and adverse weather was experienced. Equator crossed 30 May. Meridian of Cape of Good Hope crossed 1 July & easting made between parallels 40 and 41 S. (just north of southern ocean), some capital running being made, ship arrived in capital trim.
(Sydney Evening News)
09/03/1903:
Left London 17 Nov., on 20 Nov. encountered heavy gale from SE, after which wind set in from westward with a very heavy sea running and heavy squalls with rain. On 23 Nov. met with furious gale from SSW. Barometer fell rapidly & next day gale increased to hurricane force. Sea was mountainous and ship laboured heavily, while decks were constantly flooded. On that day two back stays carried away & two of sails were lost. In Addition to some of deck gear which was washed overboard, squalls were extremely violent and Capt. Carlton & his officers had grave fears for safety of the masts. Towards evening force of the wind was terrific. Sea was awful and BRILLIANT was drifting helplessly into Bay of Biscay. Next day hurricane had decreased to a gale. This was followed by a series of W and SW gales over period of 20 days. Reached Sydney in 110 days from London.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
25/08/1916: sunk by a submarine 40 miles NNW Cape Creux, from Baltimore to Genoa.
("Lloyd's War Losses: The First World War, casualties to shipping through enemy causes 1914-1918 (Lloyd's of London, London, 1990), p. 54)
Wrecksite elaborates, giving the submarine as U-38 (Kapitänleutnant Max Valentiner) but also notes that 40 miles NNW Cape Creux is inland! (wrecksite: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?138425)
Note:
re-rigged as a barque 1905
