The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster - 19th December 1981 - 30th Anniversary - Including BBC News footage
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- Опубліковано 18 гру 2011
- Oh, where to start. Growing up in Cornwall, the 1981 Penlee Lifeboat Disaster has always been ingrained in my mind. Just before Christmas, the crew of the RNLI's Solomon Browne attempted to rescue the crew, woman and children of the Union Star, in 100 mile an hour winds and 60 ft waves, without the technology we have today. Even the Navy helicopters couldn't get to the Union Star, but the RNLB Solomon Browne could. It somehow managed to get most of the crew onboard before losing radio contact in the storm.
Unfortunately both crews were lost, and the community of Mousehole struggled to make sense of their loss across Christmas.
The bravery of the crews are remember at each anniversary, but this year, I wanted to make my own contribution. As a composer growing up in Cornwall, and in awe of the huge effort the RNLI, and volunteers put into protecting the UK's coast, whether citizens of the UK or not, I wanted to mark the sacrifice my own way: 'Union Star' for solo piano.
I appreciate my video is a little amateur (cough), but nothing can take away from that day in December 1981 when 8 men battled to save people they didn't know from death, in perilous conditions, and where 8 RNLI families ultimately lost their loved ones.
I salute them for their humanity and their spirit. It might be 30 years later, but we've not forgotten. The crew have always made me proud to be Cornish, as despite what the media like to portray, you'll never get a more accepting person than a Cornishman, even to the point that they'll give their life trying to save another unknown person, regardless of race or religion. A person's a person you see!?
The current generations would do well to remember their legacy.
God bless the crew of the Solomon Browne and the Union Star, AND all the brave people manning lifeboats the world over.
Chris
www.chrislawry.com / chrislawrycomposer
Music: 'Union Star' by Chris Lawry
The two dislikes are from people who are ignorant and don't know anything about this tale of heroism and personally I'm disgusted by people disliking this
i remember this day really clearly, i was also at sea only 10 miles from the union star on a coaster ms condor, a dutch registered ship the same size as the union star, the waves were at least 40foot and our engines kept cutting out, we were all very scared but lucky enough we made it through the night and moored alongside the union mars on the Rhine the next day.. i was 19 yrs old.. it was very sad drinking a tot with the crew of the sister ship in deep respect for everyone who died that night and to the brave crew of the soloman brown.. will never forget.. god bless.
Utter devotion to duty, brave heroic men who their families I've no doubt will forever be proud of.
R.I.P lads 😢
Some actions need no words......undying respect is a given.
I was 13 when this event happened. It's strange but being Cornish I think it was the first time I realised just how deeply us Cornish are ingrained with Community to our core. Seeing the whole of Cornwall grieve for our lost men was a profound experience for a 13 yr old. And even now, with the turning off of our tree lights at 8pm on the 19th Dec for an hour to remember our lads and out of love and respects for the village of Mousehole.
We should never forget this.
You have to see the power of breakers in a winter storm off Cornwall to appreciate the courage of the crew of the Solomon Browne, But what ever you see will be less than they endured, the storm of December 19th was the most ferocious in living memory, before or after - 60 foot waves and 100mph winds. The Sea King pilot said it was the bravest thing he had ever seen or ever expected to see. God bless the crew of The Solomon Browne and the people of Mousehole.
First time , of all the Solomon Brown tributes ive seen yours......Thankyou so much, im not 'born' cornish but have always been made more at home there than anywhere else.....Eight very very brave men, thankgod most Coaster pilots arent so stupid...especially regarding his OWN family......Lots of love to Mousehole as usual hope to see you soon and thankyou again for this...perfect tribute...!...................x
R.I.P. Never ever forgotten.
I remember when this happened, its still very sad 30+ years later and why i always give to the RNLI R.I.P to all who died.
I love this story and It always makes me cry
The sea can be extremely brutal and with high winds and huge waves your life can be in grave danger. Never under estimate the power of a storm at sea and to be on a boat where the waves are breaking is one of the worst places to be. My heart goes out to everyone that night. The courage and bravery of the men of the RNLI is beyond belief - I salute you with more respect imaginable.
The Sea is a phenomenally wild element..I remember this disaster too, was young at the time, but it was a great shock ..the Volunteers who serve in the lifeboats are true heroes and heroines.. Rest In Peace all who perished that dreadful night.
May they rest in peace & rise in glory............
Lovely tribute and some decent heartfelt comments.
OMG, this tale would bring a tear to a glass eye ! although I remember it well the story of courage and endeavour will endure. A fitting tribute to this episode would be a film covering the events , a true blockbuster without Hollywood heroics ,
R.I.P brave men.
Brave RNLI abandoned by helicopter cover.
They were not abandoned the helicopter cd do no more
@@emilydarkhorse290 Yes, they could even if it was to shine search lights on incident. But to leave another rescuer in those conditions...shame.