Cornwall marks 40th anniversary of Penlee Lifeboat disaster with moving tributes
16 lost their lives when the Solomon Browne rushed to the aid of stricken coaster the Union Star
Last updated 19th Dec 2021
Memories are being shared on the 40th anniversary of the Penlee Lifeboat disaster, in tribute to the 16 people who lost their lives at sea.
On 19th December 1981, the Solomon Browne rushed to the aid of stricken coaster the Union Star as she was swept towards the coast in hurricane-force storms; all passengers and crew were lost.
After several attempts to get alongside the coaster, the lifeboat crew managed to rescue four of the eight people onboard but, when making a final heroic rescue attempt, all radio contact was lost.
The disaster was the last time the RNLI lost an entire crew in action.
Now, 40 years on, the current crew of the Penlee are praising the strength of those members who never returned home.
"We think about them all the time"
One of those who pays his respects each year to the friends, families and crew lives lost is Martin Brockman.
He is the son of Nigel Brockman, the assistant mechanic on the Solomon Browne, who lost his life on this day 40 years ago.
His brother is Neil Brockman, a crew member of the Solomon Browne who moved on to be a coxswain of Penlee before retiring.
Martin said: "We're very very proud of our heritage, we think about them all the time, the crew that were lost.
"The anniversary is always very emotional but this one, the 40th anniversary, is particularly emotional for us because we, the next generation, have moved on a little bit".
"They're very brave guys"
An online book of remembrance is among the events to mark the 40th anniversary, as well as a fundraiser for a granite memorial to be built on the cliffs at Boscawen Cove near Lamorna.
Martin told us: "This year being the 40th anniversary there are events that have been planned ahead, receptions and things. The most poignant thing I think this year will be the candlelit processions they're having. Also the Christmas lights in Mousehole are not being switched on at all. Just the cross and angel and the Celtic cross.
"People have been encouraged to put lights in their windows. I think the sight of just going to Mousehole in darkness with only a few flickering candles will be very emotional this year.
"The switching off is poignant for some of us, we stand there, watch the lights go off, go and raise a glass to them, then stand and watch the lights going back on. It moves and motivates a lot of people".
Martin Brockman works as a heritage education volunteer and wants to pass on the legacy of the brave crew and families in 1981 to the practices of the RNLI now.
He continued: "I talk about them an awful a lot, I do quite a lot of talks this time of year and lots of community events.
"The RNLI crews of old and today although the boats have changed, the equipment has changed, the technology has changed, the guys they're still the same. They're very brave guys, they put their lives at risk every time they go out.
"It's not just a few hours in a lifeboat, these guys train an awful lot they spend hours and hours together, that's what makes the RNLI what it is".
"We'll never forget what they did"
Patch Harvey, the current coxswain of Penlee’s all-weather lifeboat, the Ivan Ellen, said: "The volunteers are still showing the same selfless commitment that those guys did which is great. I'm just fortunate that I can be coxswain of the lifeboat and follow on in their footsteps.
"The anniversary, it's quite significant. 40 years - it seemed a long time ago but it's still quite fresh. We have crew out on the water, we're living it every day really.
"For the families it's probably quite a hard milestone. 40 years. you know. they've lost their loved ones. So we support them as much as we can.
"I think it's really important that myself and the rest of the crew we sort of honour the courage. We'll never forget what they did".
Every year on 19th December, Mousehole dims its Christmas lights between 8pm and 9pm in memory of the 16 people who lost their lives. This year, however, just the cross and angel and Celtic cross will be left on as a mark of respect.
Tributes can be read and added to the RNLI's book of remembrance from now until later on in January.
More information about the fundraiser for a new memorial can be found on the special Just Giving page,