Mystic in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Schooner Brilliant
Built: 1932, Henry B Nevins, Inc., City Island, NY
Design: Sparkman & Stephens, Inc.
Length: 61'6"
Sparred Length: 74'
Rig Height: 81'
Draft: 9'8"
Beam: 14'8"
The auxiliary schooner Brilliant has had a long and storied career as a private yacht, a World War II anti-submarine patrol boat, and a sail training vessel. Since 1953, Brilliant has served as Mystic Seaport Museum's primary sail training vessel, introducing teenagers and adults to the thrill and challenge life at sea.
Launched in April of 1932, Brilliant was designed by renowned naval architect Olin Stephens and built by the celebrated craftsman at the Henry B. Nevins yard. Within the first eighteen months, it would set a transatlantic speed record for a yacht of its size, sailing fro Nantucket Lightship to Bishop Rock Light, England, in just 15 days, 1 hours and 23 minutes.
One of the finest wooden schooners ever built, Brilliant remains in excellent condition. It is a testament to the designers and skilled craftsmen who built it, and to the careful maintenance received ever since. Wooden Boat Magazine calls Brilliant "one of the best maintained and sailed classic yachts in the country - if not the world."
Sail
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Learn to sail aboard Brilliant and take part in one of the oldest sail training programs in the country. On Brilliant, student crew and adult guest crew are fully involved in all aspects of sailing and living aboard our schooner as we voyage throughout beautiful New England, the Canadian Maritimes and the Mid-Atlantic. Teen sailing programs are scheduled during the summer, and adult guest crew programs are offered during the spring and fall. Hands-on sail training charters for families and school groups are also available.
Donor: Briggs S. Cunningham
Erected by Mystic Seaport Museum. (Marker Number 1987.77.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1932.
Location. 41° 21.681′ N, 71° 58.018′ W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Mystic. It is on Greenmanville Avenue (Connecticut Route 27) north of Bruggeman Place, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic CT 06355, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline, in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore, and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bartram Dock (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Reproduction of Nantucket Island's Brant Point Lighthouse
Other markers no longer nearby. Reproduction of Nantucket Islands Brant Point Lighthouse (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Training Ship Joseph Conrad (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Additional keywords. Schooner Brilliant
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 354 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
