Penlee lifeboat loss 31 years ago today
Discussion
and31 said:
Was it true that the RNLI tried to claim the donations to the disaster fund for themselves?
I’m sure their was some scandal about it at the time
This needs to be addressed. NO. I’m sure their was some scandal about it at the time
What happened was that an official appeal trust was set up. This had to operate under charity commision rules.
These state in simplified terms that no one receiving money can be left in a better position than they were before the disaster. The problem here was all the families were modest, fishing folk and over £2 million had been raised by then which was going to cause a huge problem.
In the meantime the Cornish had set up a seperate collection, this money was counted in, divided by eight and distributed quickly and without fuss, meanwhile a local on the appeal committee had the task of going round the families asking for proof of outgoings, a horrible task for a friend of the families to have to do and this is what caught the attention of the public.
The only other possible way to distribute the funds would be as a gift, this then falls under tax law and would mean a huge chunk would go to the Government rather than the families and this caused outrage.
In the end, with the help of the attorney general the fund was allowed to be a private one and not charity, distribution problem solved. Then it was agreed that each and every donation would be seen as a single gift this avoiding the tax issue and the money was freed up to be distributed.
At no point did the RNLI suggest that the money was theirs or try to step in. All they did was offer support and at the request of the locals quietly slipped a relief lifeboat into Newlyn where the locals were already forming a crew to make her ready.
Merry Christmas and to those in Kernow, especially Mousehole, Merry Tom Bawcock's eve
Athlon said:
and31 said:
Was it true that the RNLI tried to claim the donations to the disaster fund for themselves?
I’m sure their was some scandal about it at the time
This needs to be addressed. NO. I’m sure their was some scandal about it at the time
What happened was that an official appeal trust was set up. This had to operate under charity commision rules.
These state in simplified terms that no one receiving money can be left in a better position than they were before the disaster. The problem here was all the families were modest, fishing folk and over £2 million had been raised by then which was going to cause a huge problem.
In the meantime the Cornish had set up a seperate collection, this money was counted in, divided by eight and distributed quickly and without fuss, meanwhile a local on the appeal committee had the task of going round the families asking for proof of outgoings, a horrible task for a friend of the families to have to do and this is what caught the attention of the public.
The only other possible way to distribute the funds would be as a gift, this then falls under tax law and would mean a huge chunk would go to the Government rather than the families and this caused outrage.
In the end, with the help of the attorney general the fund was allowed to be a private one and not charity, distribution problem solved. Then it was agreed that each and every donation would be seen as a single gift this avoiding the tax issue and the money was freed up to be distributed.
At no point did the RNLI suggest that the money was theirs or try to step in. All they did was offer support and at the request of the locals quietly slipped a relief lifeboat into Newlyn where the locals were already forming a crew to make her ready.
Merry Christmas and to those in Kernow, especially Mousehole, Merry Tom Bawcock's eve
The former RNLI Penlee Point Lifeboat Station has been listed at Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the advice of Historic England.
The station closed in 1983 following the 1981 Penlee Lifeboat disaster, when 16 people died. Including, eight RNLI Penlee Lifeboat crew who lost their lives trying to rescue passengers on board the cargo ship Union Star during in hurricane conditions.
Built between 1911 and 1913, the building has been maintained since 1983 by local volunteers. It's import to us is not only as a site of great courage and tragedy, but as one of the last works of WT Douglass, our architect and engineer, 1888-1913. Despite some minor alterations, much of the original fabric, fittings and the innovative concrete slipway is a relatively early, and almost intact example, of a reinforced concrete structure of its type. The memorial garden has also been granted protection.
Adrian Carey, Head of Region for the RNLI in the South West summed it up perfected when he said: 'Standing quietly inside the old Penlee lifeboat station, which remains as it was in 1981, you can’t help but feel the incredible courage, determination, and selflessness of the crew of the Solomon Browne. The listing will help ensure that the building, which stands in testament to the sacrifice the eight crew made that night, remains as a reminder and comfort to all those connected to Penlee RNLI and the wider RNLI community.'
The station closed in 1983 following the 1981 Penlee Lifeboat disaster, when 16 people died. Including, eight RNLI Penlee Lifeboat crew who lost their lives trying to rescue passengers on board the cargo ship Union Star during in hurricane conditions.
Built between 1911 and 1913, the building has been maintained since 1983 by local volunteers. It's import to us is not only as a site of great courage and tragedy, but as one of the last works of WT Douglass, our architect and engineer, 1888-1913. Despite some minor alterations, much of the original fabric, fittings and the innovative concrete slipway is a relatively early, and almost intact example, of a reinforced concrete structure of its type. The memorial garden has also been granted protection.
Adrian Carey, Head of Region for the RNLI in the South West summed it up perfected when he said: 'Standing quietly inside the old Penlee lifeboat station, which remains as it was in 1981, you can’t help but feel the incredible courage, determination, and selflessness of the crew of the Solomon Browne. The listing will help ensure that the building, which stands in testament to the sacrifice the eight crew made that night, remains as a reminder and comfort to all those connected to Penlee RNLI and the wider RNLI community.'
- RNLI #Heritage #Recognition #InspiringStories #OneCrew #Cornwall #HistoricArchitecture #HistoricPhotographs #PhotosOfBritain #Architecture #ListedBuildings #History
Such a sad event with some incredible bravery and tragic loss of lives.
I remember it very clearly - particularly as my mum at the time was having an affair with the brother of Charlie Greenhaugh, who ran a pub in Tattenhall, Cheshire. Suspicions were aroused in our house when the BBC filmed the memorial service at Mousehole and my mum appeared in the congregation with her grieving lover!
I remember it very clearly - particularly as my mum at the time was having an affair with the brother of Charlie Greenhaugh, who ran a pub in Tattenhall, Cheshire. Suspicions were aroused in our house when the BBC filmed the memorial service at Mousehole and my mum appeared in the congregation with her grieving lover!
My new place overlooks the historic Mumbles lifeboat station - even with todays incredible lifeboats you sometimes look at the weather in awe of them going out - but in the boats of the past it's even more staggering. RIP to all of them - I'm glad they're not forgotten and their bravery is remembered.
At the point that they called out the lifeboat was it too late for the tug to step in at this point, they knew there was water in the fuel tank.
Why did they hold off the tug assistance- until it was too late.
This is not an accusation just to understand- did the swell increase negating the tug option anyway?
Why did they hold off the tug assistance- until it was too late.
This is not an accusation just to understand- did the swell increase negating the tug option anyway?
Hugo Stiglitz said:
At the point that they called out the lifeboat was it too late for the tug to step in at this point, they knew there was water in the fuel tank.
Why did they hold off the tug assistance- until it was too late.
This is not an accusation just to understand- did the swell increase negating the tug option anyway?
All to do with marine salvage laws at the time. They were changed after the disaster so a repetition couldn't happen. The tug master wanted an open salvage ticket and the Union Star owners wouldn't allow it. All explained here if you scroll back/start on page one.Why did they hold off the tug assistance- until it was too late.
This is not an accusation just to understand- did the swell increase negating the tug option anyway?
Mates brother Steven Madron was on the Solomon Brown that tragic night. Shame the call wasn't made to agree for the tug get it Union Star under tow.
Stevens wife Janet does a great job for RNLI fund raising. Amazing interview on RNLI 200 voices. Its episode 33 Forever proud. Janet Madron. Great listen.
RIP Steven
Stevens wife Janet does a great job for RNLI fund raising. Amazing interview on RNLI 200 voices. Its episode 33 Forever proud. Janet Madron. Great listen.
RIP Steven
Yep, it's that time again, thanks for bumping the post as this is the first time I could get on tonight.
The bravery shown that night was beyond belief, the seamanship just to get the lifeboat afloat was incredible. If you look at pictures or visit the boathouse they launched from that night (with on of the steepest slips the RNLI have used) you will have an idea of the sea state when you learn the waves were breaking at the doors....
To new readers to this thread that maybe do not know the story, as usual I have added the link to the BBC documentary below.
As said above, Janet does so much behind the scenes, we had an amazing zoom talk with her and Martin Brockman, son of the mechanic on the boat that night a while back and it got very emotional. Martin is also active for the Lifeboats giving talks and occasional tours of the old boathouse. Neil B has a lovely boat, the 'Cormorant' that runs trips from Mousehole during the summer months and is a must do if you are down that way. Neil was almost on the boat that night but the Cox'n stated only one from a family so Neil was stood down, he later went on to be Cox'n of the Penlee lifeboat.
the link to the documentary is via Youtube here: The Cruel Sea
Be prepared for damp eyes when you listen to the radio calls,there is no shame in weeping for the brave. Also, spare a moment for the crew and family on the Union Star, mistakes happen, the skipper was judged at the time but time heals, so much so that the memorial near the disaster area that was funded by donations from family and friends and supporters remembers all sixteen who perished that night.
Also, a lesser known fact is that another vessel was lost in the bay that evening, the 'Mark' I think? last spotted running towards Falmouth by the Lizard lifeboat that was battling her way towards the disaster site to try and help search for the crews, she was never heard from again.
The bravery shown that night was beyond belief, the seamanship just to get the lifeboat afloat was incredible. If you look at pictures or visit the boathouse they launched from that night (with on of the steepest slips the RNLI have used) you will have an idea of the sea state when you learn the waves were breaking at the doors....
To new readers to this thread that maybe do not know the story, as usual I have added the link to the BBC documentary below.
As said above, Janet does so much behind the scenes, we had an amazing zoom talk with her and Martin Brockman, son of the mechanic on the boat that night a while back and it got very emotional. Martin is also active for the Lifeboats giving talks and occasional tours of the old boathouse. Neil B has a lovely boat, the 'Cormorant' that runs trips from Mousehole during the summer months and is a must do if you are down that way. Neil was almost on the boat that night but the Cox'n stated only one from a family so Neil was stood down, he later went on to be Cox'n of the Penlee lifeboat.
the link to the documentary is via Youtube here: The Cruel Sea
Be prepared for damp eyes when you listen to the radio calls,there is no shame in weeping for the brave. Also, spare a moment for the crew and family on the Union Star, mistakes happen, the skipper was judged at the time but time heals, so much so that the memorial near the disaster area that was funded by donations from family and friends and supporters remembers all sixteen who perished that night.
Also, a lesser known fact is that another vessel was lost in the bay that evening, the 'Mark' I think? last spotted running towards Falmouth by the Lizard lifeboat that was battling her way towards the disaster site to try and help search for the crews, she was never heard from again.
Edited by Athlon on Tuesday 19th December 18:34
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-641...
Edited by Getragdogleg on Tuesday 19th December 20:31
grumpy52 said:
Never forgotten. The only time in my life that I have sought a church to prey for people that I didn't know . RIP
I was in Padstow that week.In 20 years of going I had never known Padstow too be completely silent.
The loss of the Solomon Browne was felt everywhere.
A terrible tragedy.
The ocean can be so cruel.
RIP the brave crew of the Solomon Browne.
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