Brilliant was launched in Sweden in 1804, probably under another name, and take in prize circa 1812. She became a British merchantman. In 1813 two French frigates captured her, but then abandoned her. She continued to trade widely until she became a coaster sailing between London and Newcastle. She foundered in December 1840.
Career Brilliant first appeared in the supplementary pages in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1812.Lloyd's Register (1812), Supple. pages "B", Seq.No.B19.
Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1812 Davenport Mawman. London–Gibraltar LR 1814 DavenportColson Mawman. London–Lisbon LR
In December 1814 Lloyd's List reported that the frigate had found Brilliant, Davenport, master, which had been sailing from Maranham to Liverpool, abandoned at sea with her masts and sails alongside.
Between 5 and 22 December 1813, the French frigates , capitaine de vaisseau Collinet, and , capitaine de vaisseau Caillabet, captured 10 British merchantmen. The French burnt eight, that is, all but Brilliant, Davenport, master, and , Silly, master. They removed Brilliants crew and abandoned her at sea; Hyperion brought her into Plymouth. The French put all their prisoners on Duck and released her. She arrived at the Isle of Scilly on 4 January 1814.
Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1816 Colson Mawman. London–"Const." LR 1818 Colson Mawman. Liverpool–London–St Lucie LR; thorough repair 1817 1819 ColsonClark Mawman London–Berbice LR; thorough repair 1817 1824 ClarkMajor Mawman London–Seville LR; thorough repair 1817 1833 T.Major Mawman London–St Lucie LR; thorough repair 1825 1834 A.HoptonYouens Wooster London–Newcastle LR; lengthened 1839 Robinson Aisbit & Co. London–Newcastle LR; lengthened, & large repair 1837 1840 Robinson Aisbit & Co. London–Newcastle LR; lengthened, & large repair 1837
After her ownership changed from Wooster to Aisbit, Brilliants homeport became Shields.
Fate Brilliant was wrecked in December 1840. A report from Filey, dated 22 December 1840, stated that the stern of a vessel had been found with "Brilliant of Shields" painted on it."Ship News". Times (London, England), 28 December 1840; pg. 3; Issue 17552. Her entry in LR for 1840 bore the annotation "wrecked".Lloyd's Register (1840), Seq.No.B357.
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