Penlee lifeboat loss 31 years ago today
Discussion
Athlon said:
On the 19th December 1981 the Penlee lifeboat, RNLB. Solomon Browne launched on service for the last time.
She and her brave crew never came home.
If you do not know the history of the Penlee lifeboat tragedy then take a few minutes to watch this video, have a tissue ready as you watch a story about true hero's giving everything to try and help others in peril.
R.I.P. the crew of the Solomon Browne, you will never be forgotten, Always in our hearts.
The Cruel sea
At 39:43 on that video my blood runs cold.She and her brave crew never came home.
If you do not know the history of the Penlee lifeboat tragedy then take a few minutes to watch this video, have a tissue ready as you watch a story about true hero's giving everything to try and help others in peril.
R.I.P. the crew of the Solomon Browne, you will never be forgotten, Always in our hearts.
The Cruel sea
matchmaker said:
At 39:43 on that video my blood runs cold.
Every time I hear that I get a lump in my throat and my voice cracks, the sound of exhaustion in the voice but still getting on with it until the very last second is awe inspiring, the sudden quietness is devastating.I am fortunate to know people at Penlee today and have even been out on the current Penlee lifeboat, these people on the front line of the RNLI are incredible, brave, selfless and modest, it is an honour to know some of them and count some as my good friends.
I give some time to fundraise for them, to try and help keep them safe, it is a pleasure to do it and fun as well! Maybe some of you guys could look at spending a couple of hours with your local branch holding a bucket or more? I assure you , you would be very well received
Merry Christmas to all who read this thread, thank you for thinking of the crew of the Solomon Browne at this time. Here's to a peaceful time for all of us over the holiday period, remember the crews are 24/7 365 days a year.
You can donate to specific stations either to them directly or to any branch who can bank it then 'restrict' it to a station that the donor specifies. we have banked for Penlee and Lytham in the last year.
Taking a shoreline membership puts the money from that into central funding to go towards new boats, station and kit upgrades etc etc.
Taking a shoreline membership puts the money from that into central funding to go towards new boats, station and kit upgrades etc etc.
The RNLI is one of the few charities I support and as a child I was a stormforce member. I have in turn made my niece and nephew members and for the small annual cost they get a few gifts that children like so it’s win win.
It is however interesting to see they spend their money wisely investing it where needed to the point they got gains of £20.6mil in 2016 https://rnli.org/-/media/rnli/downloads/annual-rep...
I do like that they are now assisting overseas tackling drowning and something I’m happy to see funds spent on https://rnli.org/what-we-do/international
And as for the crew of Penlee lifeboat it’s haunting hearing the coastguard keep calling and calling. Such brave souls.
It is however interesting to see they spend their money wisely investing it where needed to the point they got gains of £20.6mil in 2016 https://rnli.org/-/media/rnli/downloads/annual-rep...
I do like that they are now assisting overseas tackling drowning and something I’m happy to see funds spent on https://rnli.org/what-we-do/international
And as for the crew of Penlee lifeboat it’s haunting hearing the coastguard keep calling and calling. Such brave souls.
I'm a keen diver, and as is the case with most people who put to sea frequently, such as sailors and anglers, and professional seafarers, the efforts of the RNLI are greatly appreciated and there is a great deal of support for fundraising activities.
I'm a member of East Cheshire Sub-aqua Club (BSAC 100) and we recently welcomed the chairman of the Honley & Brockholes Branch of the RNLI, who gave a very interesting talk. He spoke for a while about how the RNLI benefits everybody - not just those who put to sea. As an island nation, we are extremely dependent on shipping, so it is in all our interests for seafarers to have the support of the RNLI. I forget the exact figure, but I was surprised to learn that the vast majority of people rescued by the RNLI had no intention of getting in the water or putting to sea.
The speaker talked about the Penlee disaster in some detail. At the end of the talk, our chairman spoke; it was our club that located and dived the wreck, and they were able to recover some personal effects of the crew, and provided information that was useful to the enquiries.
Some information here: http://www.ecsac.org.uk/?page_id=958
I'm a member of East Cheshire Sub-aqua Club (BSAC 100) and we recently welcomed the chairman of the Honley & Brockholes Branch of the RNLI, who gave a very interesting talk. He spoke for a while about how the RNLI benefits everybody - not just those who put to sea. As an island nation, we are extremely dependent on shipping, so it is in all our interests for seafarers to have the support of the RNLI. I forget the exact figure, but I was surprised to learn that the vast majority of people rescued by the RNLI had no intention of getting in the water or putting to sea.
The speaker talked about the Penlee disaster in some detail. At the end of the talk, our chairman spoke; it was our club that located and dived the wreck, and they were able to recover some personal effects of the crew, and provided information that was useful to the enquiries.
Some information here: http://www.ecsac.org.uk/?page_id=958
Ganglandboss said:
I'm a keen diver, and as is the case with most people who put to sea frequently, such as sailors and anglers, and professional seafarers, the efforts of the RNLI are greatly appreciated and there is a great deal of support for fundraising activities.
I'm a member of East Cheshire Sub-aqua Club (BSAC 100) and we recently welcomed the chairman of the Honley & Brockholes Branch of the RNLI, who gave a very interesting talk. He spoke for a while about how the RNLI benefits everybody - not just those who put to sea. As an island nation, we are extremely dependent on shipping, so it is in all our interests for seafarers to have the support of the RNLI. I forget the exact figure, but I was surprised to learn that the vast majority of people rescued by the RNLI had no intention of getting in the water or putting to sea.
The speaker talked about the Penlee disaster in some detail. At the end of the talk, our chairman spoke; it was our club that located and dived the wreck, and they were able to recover some personal effects of the crew, and provided information that was useful to the enquiries.
Some information here: http://www.ecsac.org.uk/?page_id=958
I’m not in work for a few days but I have some interesting numbers that I’ll share. I think the majority of rescues is actually motor yachts off the top of my head but I believe you’re right those who have entered the water generally didn’t plan too. I'm a member of East Cheshire Sub-aqua Club (BSAC 100) and we recently welcomed the chairman of the Honley & Brockholes Branch of the RNLI, who gave a very interesting talk. He spoke for a while about how the RNLI benefits everybody - not just those who put to sea. As an island nation, we are extremely dependent on shipping, so it is in all our interests for seafarers to have the support of the RNLI. I forget the exact figure, but I was surprised to learn that the vast majority of people rescued by the RNLI had no intention of getting in the water or putting to sea.
The speaker talked about the Penlee disaster in some detail. At the end of the talk, our chairman spoke; it was our club that located and dived the wreck, and they were able to recover some personal effects of the crew, and provided information that was useful to the enquiries.
Some information here: http://www.ecsac.org.uk/?page_id=958
I watched a documentary recently where a lady had been caught out by the tide whilst walking and was very close to drowning, luckily the RNLI got to her as the water was reaching neck height! I can only imagine the gratitude she must have had for those volunteers for saving her life. I myself hate the sea and water which gives me even more respect for them.
Once more it is that time of year when thoughts turn once again towards Cornwall and Mousehole as we remember the incredibly brave men who put to sea on the Solomon Browne in atrocious weather to go to the aid of a desperate group of people, only this time to be beaten by nature and never return home to families and friends
R.I.P. Coxswain Trevelyan Richards, Second Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Madron, Assistant Mechanic Nigel Brockman, Emergency Mechanic John Blewett, and crewmembers Charlie Greenhaugh, Kevin Smith, Barrie Torrie and Gary Wallis
Never heard the story? BBC Documentary Have a tissue ready for the radio transmissions.
I shall raise a glass to them on the 19th. Genuine heroes each and every one.
R.I.P. Coxswain Trevelyan Richards, Second Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Madron, Assistant Mechanic Nigel Brockman, Emergency Mechanic John Blewett, and crewmembers Charlie Greenhaugh, Kevin Smith, Barrie Torrie and Gary Wallis
Never heard the story? BBC Documentary Have a tissue ready for the radio transmissions.
I shall raise a glass to them on the 19th. Genuine heroes each and every one.
Even if you never set foot on a boat the radio transmissions are just the stuff of nightmares. As someone who enjoys the sea in my boat I can only say that these men showed a level of bravery that is only shown very rarely in the most extreme of cases I too salute them as men but also as men of the sea
grumpy52 said:
I remember Penlee , the only time I have ever sought a church to prey for people that I don't know was when I heard it was missing .
My blood runs cold every time every time I read or watch anything about it and have tears in my eyes is I write this .
True bravery is when you are really scared and know the dangers but still go to help .
RIP to those brave souls.
Utmost respect to those that go to sea to help others .
Amen to the desperate souls of The Solomon Browne , never forgotten .My blood runs cold every time every time I read or watch anything about it and have tears in my eyes is I write this .
True bravery is when you are really scared and know the dangers but still go to help .
RIP to those brave souls.
Utmost respect to those that go to sea to help others .
This year, as every year since, the Christmas lights in Mousehole harbour will be off, remembering those still out on a shout. Along with the eight souls who didn't make it home from the Union Star.
I never forget how atrocious the weather was that night. All of the RNLI crew were selfless heroes.
I never forget how atrocious the weather was that night. All of the RNLI crew were selfless heroes.
Whilst on holiday in Penzance a number of years ago ,we went to lands end,where I bought a book about the Penlee lifeboat disaster (distinctly remember seeing the union star laying on the rocks on the news when I was young child)
As said previously,proper heroes.
Whilst still in Cornwall we paid a visit to the old lifeboat station,and went to mousehole and had a drink in the Ship Inn -one of the crew of the Solomon Browne was the former landlord.
Very moving indeed
As said previously,proper heroes.
Whilst still in Cornwall we paid a visit to the old lifeboat station,and went to mousehole and had a drink in the Ship Inn -one of the crew of the Solomon Browne was the former landlord.
Very moving indeed
Once again the time of year has come around where we turn our thoughts to the brave volunteer lifeboat crew who lost their lives trying to save the crew of the Union Star, it is now 38 years since that terrible night.
For those who have never heard the story of that night, please consider watching this BBC film : Penlee disaster
This year I also think that we should remember just how brave the crew of the SAR helicopter flying out of Culdrose were, operating right on the edge of the capabilities of the craft, sometimes taking calculated risks flying in no go zones to try and help.
We should also think about the crews from Lizard, St Mary's and Sennon who launched to try and help their friends when they heard the Paenlee boat was in trouble, the seas were massive, to big for Sennon to round Lands End so they had to turn back, the Cox of the boat used simple terms to explain sea state to those of us who cannot understand how big they are, " Huge as a house" he would say, this night he stated they turned back as the seas were as tall as a cathedral and to carry on trying would result in a search for more bodies.
Lizard returned after many hours at sea and when the boat was re-housed they found it had broken the keel....and St Mary's who had a new at the time Arun class (big, modern style boat) stated they surfed a wave for 1/2 of a mile on their run from the Scilly's ...
Anyway, please spend a moment on the 19th in the evening to remember the brave folk who went afloat that night and are still out.
To the crew of the Penlee Lifeboat, Never forgotten, Always in our hearts. R.I.P.
Edit to say I still cannot listen to the radio calls without getting a tear in my eyes, but I still watch that film this time every year to remind me just how bloody brave the lifeboat crews are.
For those who have never heard the story of that night, please consider watching this BBC film : Penlee disaster
This year I also think that we should remember just how brave the crew of the SAR helicopter flying out of Culdrose were, operating right on the edge of the capabilities of the craft, sometimes taking calculated risks flying in no go zones to try and help.
We should also think about the crews from Lizard, St Mary's and Sennon who launched to try and help their friends when they heard the Paenlee boat was in trouble, the seas were massive, to big for Sennon to round Lands End so they had to turn back, the Cox of the boat used simple terms to explain sea state to those of us who cannot understand how big they are, " Huge as a house" he would say, this night he stated they turned back as the seas were as tall as a cathedral and to carry on trying would result in a search for more bodies.
Lizard returned after many hours at sea and when the boat was re-housed they found it had broken the keel....and St Mary's who had a new at the time Arun class (big, modern style boat) stated they surfed a wave for 1/2 of a mile on their run from the Scilly's ...
Anyway, please spend a moment on the 19th in the evening to remember the brave folk who went afloat that night and are still out.
To the crew of the Penlee Lifeboat, Never forgotten, Always in our hearts. R.I.P.
Edit to say I still cannot listen to the radio calls without getting a tear in my eyes, but I still watch that film this time every year to remind me just how bloody brave the lifeboat crews are.
Edited by Athlon on Wednesday 18th December 18:11
I’m out tomorrow night for my firms Christmas party-and yes I will be raising a glass to the crew of the Solomon Browne .as I said in a previous post on this thread I visited the Penlee Lifeboat house years ago on holiday and it made a huge impression on me.Brave men and heroes indeed.
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff