The H.M.S. Brilliant was a light Apollo class cruiser. In 1906 she joined the Newfoundland Fisheries Service and remained on duty in Newfoundland's waters until 1911. In 1918 she was sunk as a " block ship" at Ostend, Belgium. 

Until 1904, British and French warships similar to the H.M.S. Brilliant were used to enforce treaty rights to the "French Shore" of Newfoundland. 

During the reign of King Charles II, a secret agreement was made that ceded much of the North and West coasts of Newfoundland to French fishing interests.  This Treaty and it's obligations impeded the settlement of vast tracts of Newfoundland and resulted in many grave injustices to  Newfoundland settlers.

The French Treaty rights to Newfoundland's "French Shore" were finally extinguished in 1904.