While the schooner Brilliant was breaking up off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts on this day in 1839 a witness to the destruction was quoted as saying "Were I in their situation, I should want a very clear hope of Heaven, and a very strong faith".

The situation was indeed desperate for those on board. The ship was caught in a violent storm and had been dragged some distance off shore. With the ship sinking and the crew in the rigging there was not much hope of survival. In fact only one man did survive, only two bodies from the wreck were ever found.

© 2007 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com