Every man on board was a hero that terrifying night… Defying screaming 100mph winds and 60ft high waves the eight crew of the famous Penlee lifeboat left their homes to launch the Solomon Browne, in answer to the desperate mayday call for help from the captain of the stricken cargo ship Union Star, as it was swept towards the rocks near Lamorna. Because of the truly dreadful weather, towering waves and hurricane force winds, the helicopters scrambled from RNAS Culdrose could do little but watch and bear witness. It was left to the Penlee lifeboat, launched at twelve minutes past eight in the evening from the village of Mousehole, to attempt the valiant rescue alone. Under the leadership of the Cox’n Trevelyan Richards, the lifeboat struggled down to the Tater Dhu rock braving sixty-foot waves. In a magnificent effort, the lifeboat went alongside, landing on top of the stricken Union Star. After it slid off again, one of the lifeboat crew sent a stirring radio message... they had rescued four people and were going back for the rest. Then there was silence. Coastguards kept on calling through the night, but there was no response. As dawn revealed the up-turned hull of the cargo ship, all that remained of the valiant Solomon Browne were thousands of pieces of splintered wood. That terrible night 33 years ago, every soul on board both vessels perished, as the 14m wooden lifeboat was dashed to pieces by the worst storm in living memory. Everyone who was alive in Cornwall that night will never forget the disaster and the name Penlee has become known the world over as a byword for courage and sacrifice. Lt. Cdr. Russell Smith USN, the pilot of the RNAS Sea King rescue helicopter later reported: The greatest act of courage that I have ever seen, and am ever likely to see, was the penultimate courage and dedication shown by the Penlee [crew] when it manoeuvred back alongside the casualty in over 60 ft breakers and rescued four people shortly after the Penlee had been bashed on top of the casualtys hatch covers. They were truly the bravest eight men Ive ever seen, who were also totally dedicated to upholding the highest standards of the RNLI. youtu.be/yeIX0VnUMKo
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 06:36:57 +0000