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the Penlee lifeboat launched.

Aboard the Solomon Browne was a crew of eight, under the command of coxswain Trevelyan Richards, a highly experienced and skilful pilot. Also aboard were Stephen Madron, Nigel Brockman, John Blewett, Gary Wallis, Kevin Smith, Barrie Torrie and Charlie Greenhaugh, a local publican. Nigel Brockman's son Neil had volunteered to go but Richards was insistent that only one member from a family would go, such were the severity of the conditions.

First to arrive on the scene were the helicopter crew, commanded by US Navy pilot Lt. Commander Russell Smith. The proximity of the Union Star to the coastline was a cause for concern. Attempts were made to lower a winch-man and remove at least Moreton's family but the enormous swells made it all but impossible.

The Solomon Browne and the Noord Holland then both arrived, the latter having predicted that their assistance may be required, but the scene dismayed Guy Buurman. He knew almost instantly that it would be impossible to get a line aboard the coaster. The only hope remaining for the crew of the Union Star was the little boat from Penlee.

What followed was an intensely heroic and dogged rescue attempt against fearsome odds. Helicopter pilot Smith observed as Trevelyan Richards repeatedly approached the much larger vessel. At one point an enormous wave carried the Solomon Browne onto the deck of the Union Star. Despite this four people made it across to the lifeboat. During this time the helicopter had remained hovering above to illuminate the scene with its lights. They observed two life-jackets in the water and two more people clinging to a rail on the Union Star. The Solomon Browne turned and headed seaward. Realising there was nothing else they could do the helicopter headed for home.

In Mousehole the community waited anxiously for news and the return of the lifeboat. Reports came through of four people being rescued, which was at least some comfort. Despite the sighting of the Solomon Browne heading out to sea it soon became clear that something must have happened. Had they been consumed by the sea or turned around for one final rescue attempt? No-one would ever know.

Daybreak revealed the full extent of the disaster. The Union Star had broken up on the rocks. Remains of the Solomon Browne were washed up on the foreshore. Eventually eight bodies would be recovered.

There is a new lifeboat station at Mousehole now, and the lifeboat is under the charge of Neil Brockman. The old Penlee station remains, a constant reminder of the village's darkest day. The Christmas lights are still displayed each year, but they are extinguished for one hour on the 19th to remember the eight residents who gave their lives in voluntary service, trying to save the lives of others they had never met.

References

Penlee, The Loss of a Lifeboat (Michael Sagar-Fenton, 2000)
http://www.penlee-lifeboa t.ik.com/home.ikml

Learn more about this author, Kevin Guthrie.
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