Penlee lifeboat loss 31 years ago today

[Athlon]

and31 said:

I’m sure it’s been said on here before,but would anyone have been able to survive on the Union Star if they had stayed in the wheelhouse?
It looked very intact despite being upside down.

The general opinion was no as although she looks okish she spent hours being smashed against the rocks and anyone on board would have been pummelled. I beleve she was flooded from the smashed windows as well, the Navy blew a hole in her to look if anyone was still there..

[and31]

I know I’ve previously said it on this thread but I clearly remember it on the news at the time-I was only seven years old.
Then on holiday in Cornwall 20 years ago we went to the boathouse,and to the ship inn for a drink after buying Micheal sagar-fentons book whilst in Cornwall.this has stayed with me ever since and made a huge impression.

[Athlon]

It is what helped me decide to one day support the RNLI in more ways than donations, that I have got friends at the station and know family members of the crew is the icing on the cake for me to do what I do.
Tonight, as always we will turn of the lights at home for a minute and think of them, watch the candles at the harbour and raise a glass to the memory of true hero's, a word used to often these days yet not a big enough word to describe these volunteers who gave everything trying to help strangers.

Always in our hearts, never forgotten. R.I.P. and fair winds.

[MrBig]

Always have a read through this thread at this time of year and take a few minutes to remember. I almost forgot this year, but for some odd reason woke up in the middle of the night with it on my mind. My donation will have to wait until payday, but thanks to all those who have contributed to this thread.

RIP all involved.

[Western Musketeer]

Smiler. said:

R4 aired this today:

Solomon Browne

A sobering listen.

Listened to that on Monday at work - very moving and an excellent programme

[Yuxi]

Western Musketeer said:

Smiler. said:

R4 aired this today:

Solomon Browne

A sobering listen.

Listened to that on Monday at work - very moving and an excellent programme

Agree, I listened yesterday, very moving

[anonymous-user]

Smiler. said:

R4 aired this today:

Solomon Browne

A sobering listen.

wow, that is very good indeed. a moving and well judged bit of programming

[edthefed]

I vaguely remember this as a kid but have just watched the documentary.

I have no connection with the sea, live miles in land but have always admired the RNLI but never really donated

Changed that today - and have become a member

On the day the latest honours list is published i find it hard to comprehend how and why the whole crew were never awarded the highest posthumous gallantry medals

[ClaphamGT3]

edthefed said:

I vaguely remember this as a kid but have just watched the documentary.

I have no connection with the sea, live miles in land but have always admired the RNLI but never really donated

Changed that today - and have become a member

On the day the latest honours list is published i find it hard to comprehend how and why the whole crew were never awarded the highest posthumous gallantry medals

The RNLI have always handed out gallantry awards sparingly and the award of the Gold Medal is roughly equivalent to a VC.

I still find it unutterably depressing that Trevelyan Richards' Gold Medal was stolen from its display at the RNLI HQ in Poole

[edthefed]

ClaphamGT3 said:

The RNLI have always handed out gallantry awards sparingly and the award of the Gold Medal is roughly equivalent to a VC.

I still find it unutterably depressing that Trevelyan Richards' Gold Medal was stolen from its display at the RNLI HQ in Poole

The theft of that medal is unbelievable

However i cannot believe that the gallantry of the crew was not recognised by the country as well as the RNLI for their heroic efforts....today we have seen people awarded aagin simply for doing their job in a nice warm office or on a sports field

[Southerner]

edthefed said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

The RNLI have always handed out gallantry awards sparingly and the award of the Gold Medal is roughly equivalent to a VC.

I still find it unutterably depressing that Trevelyan Richards' Gold Medal was stolen from its display at the RNLI HQ in Poole

The theft of that medal is unbelievable

However i cannot believe that the gallantry of the crew was not recognised by the country as well as the RNLI for their heroic efforts....today we have seen people awarded aagin simply for doing their job in a nice warm office or on a sports field

I see it was believed stolen between 2015 - 2016, one would assume either an underground 'collector' or somebody who simply wanted to smelt it (assuming it was solid gold?). Has the RNLI not made efforts to replace it?

[Athlon]

Southerner said:

I see it was believed stolen between 2015 - 2016, one would assume either an underground 'collector' or somebody who simply wanted to smelt it (assuming it was solid gold?). Has the RNLI not made efforts to replace it?

Replacing the medal is a difficult thing to get right, there is only one medal that was awarded, any replacement struck would not be it.

The RNLI have worked with various people affected by this towards a suitable outcome but it is difficult. There is also the chance the medal can be recovered, it is highly unlikely it has been destroyed, it will have taken a large amount of planning and effort to take it and it was targeted from what I can gather.

On a brighter note, Happy New Year to all the contributors to the thread, thanks for taking the time to watch or listen to the links and learn a bit more about the disaster, and to those who have donated or joined up afterwards thank you so much.

[coppernorks]

Athlon said:

Replacing the medal is a difficult thing to get right, there is only one medal
that was awarded, any replacement struck would not be it. .

What a despicable and heartless theft.

Not sure why there would be a difficulty in replacing the medal, there must be a template and/or mould .
We know it wouldn't be the original, but visitors should be entitled to see a medal, a recognition of bravery,
not a blank space.

[Athlon]

coppernorks said:

What a despicable and heartless theft.

Not sure why there would be a difficulty in replacing the medal, there must be a template and/or mould .
We know it wouldn't be the original, but visitors should be entitled to see a medal, a recognition of bravery,
not a blank space.

Oh it can be replaced, it would be indistinguishable from the original but it would not be THE medal, I hope you can understand that?

I have a medal here that has not been awarded, it has little value without the story that goes with an award.

[MrAndyW]

Head up
11pm today. BBC 4. Repeated tonight.
Hero’s every one of them.
RIP.

[The Brummie]

Just watched the documentary again.

Very sobering knowing that, as we do now, none of the crew would return home.

Hearing the transmission from the Solomon Browne literally stop was so sad.

Because you know that that moment was 'the end'.

A tragic loss of life.

Brave men. RIP.

[and31]

I can’t get out of my head what the final moments for all involved must have been like.
What a terrible way to go.

[Athlon]

It is that incredibly sad time of year when I resurrect this topic to remember the crew of the Penlee Lifeboat that was lost with all hands trying so hard to rescue the people on board the Union Star, near Lamorna in Cornwall.

If you don't know the story as it is 41 years ago now you can watch the documentary on Youtube here: Penlee disaster

Have a tissue for when you hear the increasingly desperate calls from Falmouth coastguard trying to reach the lifeboat, it gets me every.single.time.

I am truly proud to fundraise on for the RNLI, this event is in no small part part the reason why I do it and I am incredibly lucky to know some of the family members of that crew which is why I will do my best to keep them in our thoughts.

Fair winds to the crew who are still out. Never forgotten, Always in our hearts

To those who support this greatest of charities, thank you from the bottom of my heart, you are all lifesavers.

[MB140]

Athlon said:

It is that incredibly sad time of year when I resurrect this topic to remember the crew of the Penlee Lifeboat that was lost with all hands trying so hard to rescue the people on board the Union Star, near Lamorna in Cornwall.

If you don't know the story as it is 41 years ago now you can watch the documentary on Youtube here: Penlee disaster

Have a tissue for when you hear the increasingly desperate calls from Falmouth coastguard trying to reach the lifeboat, it gets me every.single.time.

I am truly proud to fundraise on for the RNLI, this event is in no small part part the reason why I do it and I am incredibly lucky to know some of the family members of that crew which is why I will do my best to keep them in our thoughts.

Fair winds to the crew who are still out. Never forgotten, Always in our hearts

To those who support this greatest of charities, thank you from the bottom of my heart, you are all lifesavers.

Finding this thread a few years back, watching the documentary and hearing the radio calls. Have made me a lifelong supporter of the RNLI. I now pay by direct debit each month.

One of my bucket list things is to go to the ceremony they hold each year. It’s a long way from home but I will make it one year.

[Athlon]

MB140 said:

Finding this thread a few years back, watching the documentary and hearing the radio calls. Have made me a lifelong supporter of the RNLI. I now pay by direct debit each month.

One of my bucket list things is to go to the ceremony they hold each year. It’s a long way from home but I will make it one year.

Thank you for your support.