Penlee lifeboat disaster

Penlee boathouse from the foreshore

Penlee Memorial Garden 2017-06-26 10.32.15

RNLB Solomon Browne 802008

== Penlee Lifeboat Disaster ==

The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster occurred on 19 December 1981 off the coast of Cornwall, England. The disaster involved the loss of the RNLI lifeboat Solomon Browne and her entire crew while attempting to rescue the crew and passengers of the stricken vessel Union Star.

Background

The Union Star was a newly built coaster on her maiden voyage from the Netherlands to Ireland. On 19 December 1981, she encountered severe weather conditions, with winds reaching hurricane force. The ship's engines failed, and she began to drift towards the rocky coast of Cornwall.

Rescue Attempt

The Penlee Lifeboat Station received a distress call from the Union Star and launched the Solomon Browne, an RNLI lifeboat, to assist. The lifeboat, manned by a volunteer crew of eight, battled through treacherous seas to reach the Union Star. Despite the extreme conditions, the crew of the Solomon Browne managed to rescue four people from the Union Star before both vessels were overwhelmed by the waves.

Aftermath

The disaster resulted in the loss of all eight crew members of the Solomon Browne and the remaining eight people on the Union Star. The bravery and sacrifice of the lifeboat crew were widely recognized, and the disaster had a profound impact on the local community and the RNLI.

Memorials

Several memorials have been established to honor the crew of the Solomon Browne. These include a memorial garden at the Penlee Lifeboat Station and a plaque at the Mousehole Methodist Church, where the lifeboat crew were regular attendees.

Legacy

The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster is remembered as a tragic event in the history of the RNLI and serves as a testament to the courage and dedication of lifeboat volunteers. The disaster has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and commemorative events.

Related Pages

• Royal National Lifeboat Institution
• Penlee Lifeboat Station
• Mousehole
• Cornwall
• Lifeboat (rescue)