The Brilliant Star was a 80 ton Mersey flat built Thompson, Winsford, in 1878. ON81358. On 7 December 1913, the flat was lightering a cargo of iron ore when it was in collision with the Chester registered schooner Viola. The Brilliant Star subsequently foundered in the Mostyn Deeps. See report of postion below.
Report from the Flintshire Observer:
Severe winds, up to hurricane strength, caused much damage. Here is a
report of damage to local shipping:
DISASTERS IN MOSTYN DEEPS. The effect of
the storm was severely felt in the Mostyn Deeps and though the shelter and
anchorage is considered good, the shipping stationed there at the time of the
hurricane was in difficulty. The Brilliant Star, of Liverpool, a flat, laden
with ore for Mostyn Ironworks, collided with the schooner Viola, of Chester,
and sank. The men were rescued and taken on board one of the steamers lying at
anchor. The Viola sustained damage, but not to any serious extent, and
afterwards sailed into Mostyn Dock. On Monday the Penrhyn, of Liverpool,
belonging to the Liverpool Literage Company, arrived with a diver, to examine
the sunken flat, with the view of raising it. The Brilliant Star lies nearly
twenty fathoms deep.
Another Liverpool flat, the Guiding Star, also laden
with ore for Mostyn, slipped its moorings, drifted towards Hilbre and got on
the banks.
The Isabella, a schooner of Barrow, dragged her anchors and got
on Salisbury Bank. Later, the schooner got off, and on Saturday was riding
safely. In all the foregoing cases the crews were safe.
Wooden flat Lucy, built Winsford 1861, 49 tons, ON 105316. Registered Liverpool, closed 1911. Voyage with coal, sank off Mostyn, 2 January 1911. Crew saved. Wreck marked by buoy until 1919.
[from Liverpool Daily Post - Thursday 05 January 1911]:
LUCY. Mostyn. Jan 3. The flat Lucy of Liverpool, with a cargo of coal, sank
in the river Dee yesterday but the crew were saved.
[from Liverpool Journal of Commerce - Saturday 01 November 1919]:
WRECKS IN RIVER DEE.
FLAT ALICE LINDA, SUNK IN JANUARY 1913. Position :
Mostyn Church bearing 198° (S. 35° W. Magnetic.); Distant 6.5 cables.
FLAT ANT,
SUNK IN FEBRUARY 1907. Position: Mostyn Church bearing 219° (S. 56° W. Magnetic.)
Distant 5 cables;
FLAT BRILLIANT STAR, SUNK IN FEBRUARY 1913, Mostyn Church bearing 183° (S. 19° W.
Magnetic.); Distant 1 mile 5 cables.
FLAT LUCY, SUNK IN JANUARY 1911.
Position Mostyn Church bearing 249° (S. 85° W. Magnetic.); Distant 4 cables.
The above
four Wrecks are now covered by the sand, and the Unlighted Wreck Buoys hitherto
marking them have been withdrawn.