penlee lifeboat diaster - cruel sea
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- The Penlee lifeboat disaster occurred on 19 December 1981 off the coast of Cornwall, in England, UK. The Penlee Lifeboat went to the aid of the coaster Union Star after its engines failed in heavy seas. After the lifeboat had managed to rescue four people both vessels were lost with all hands; sixteen people died including eight volunteer lifeboatmen.
These guys do this for free. Let that sink in for a moment. No salary, no hazard pay, but they're still 100% committed to the cause purely out of selflessness. That's pretty damn incredible.
👏👏👏
They don’t pay the coastguard there?
@@ripwednesdayadams No, they're all volunteers
They SHOULD be paid full salary and hazard pay, without question.
@ripwednesdayadams I believe the Coastguard are laud, maybe not all, as in this film, people speaking it said Coastguard 'volunteer' RNLI, - the lifeboat, I don't think any of the men, or, even women assuming there's some somewhere get paid anything nit the people launching, or the selfless brave souls risking everything to help & save others, usually strangers, you've got to absolutely admire that. These brave men of Penlee, must never ever be forgotten, for the eternity of time. Insanely brave for anyone if them to even entertain getting in a boat to enter sea like that, that night, just incredible, why some only have bronze stars & not gold is just embarrassing all round- how can that be, they should all have platinum star, diamond star, whatever way you could portray ultimate thanks, respect, love & honour 🙏☝️😇 God bless their souls & those that lost these salt of the earth salt of the sea ultimate human beings
Man that was powerful. I felt like I knew these great men in under an hour program. Men and families like that give me such faith in the human race. Literally giving their lives to save others and not even thinking twice about it. Unbelievable. Thanks to the men and the families for being such heroes.
Well put❤❤
Yes, absolutely. It felt personal.
Beautiful documentary. And with Ennio Morricone's "Cinema Paradiso" music.....just bawled like a small child.
This is quite simply one of the best documentaries I have ever seen on television, superbly put together, gripping and ultimately heartbreaking!
I would have to agree.
just watched it again, it's a work of art
This made me sick listening to the last radio messages it was horrible to listen to
Its the final scene with them that gets me! The final image of them all is after another rescue just a few days before(The Bonita) which was also recorded in the history books!
I watch it every year this time of year ❤❤❤❤
I fail to understand why anyone would thumb down this video, when one day they might need the services of these BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN.
Incorrect aspect ratio of picture - that is all !
Well put 123. Its one of the most well done documentaries, and more importantly, most heroic stories ive ever seen or heard in the 48 years ive been on this planet.
As an RNLI lifeboatman who has the luxury of going to sea in a Trent Class ALB or Atlantic 75 ILB, putting to sea in one of those old Watson Class boats doesn't bear thinking about. However, it's that radio silence between 39:44 and 40:00 which I find so haunting.
We will always remember with reverence those men of the Penlee Lifeboat.
If you would like to consider becoming a crew member and live (or even potentially just work) near a lifeboat station, go along and have a chat with the Coxswain. I promise you that it will be one of the best things you can ever do. You make great friends and really do become part of the family. You will also learn so much and have brilliant opportunities to learn boat handling, nav, mechanics, first aid etc (depending on what they need on station of course). You will do training on station as well as getting to go away to Poole (the new crew course for example (which you will usually go on sometime in your first year), is a week down there, staying at the hotel attached to the RNLI college. Following that, you will get so many other opportunities to do so many other things. It wont' be an overnight thing and if you've got experience at sea then great but equally, if you've never set foot on a boat or got your face wet, don't worry as it takes all sorts to make a lifeboat crew, you could even consider being shore crew if you're not too keen on the water!
However, saying that, I joined our crew because I was scared of water, even to the point that I didn't like walking over a harbour bridge. However, on the second night of going along, I was put in a dry suit and went out on exercise on the ILB (the Atlantic 75 RIB). We went out around 1/2 a mile or so when the helm said out you get! I had to slip into the water, pull myself along the side of the boat and then climb back in under the A-frame between the two outboard engines (if you have a look at our ILBs, you'll notice a little loop of plastic coated rope hanging down, that's what you grab once you've got your feet in the right place so you can then get up and back in the boat between the engines - they are switched off while you are doing this!
Anyway, this was at around 8:30pm on a November evening so pitch black and the only light was the hand held search lights held by the other two crew on the boat (think Jaws when they go looking for a lost boat at night, just a couple of circles of light on the water surface). This was my absolute idea of a nightmare but I didn't want to decline and besides, being able to get yourself back in the boat is pretty essential! So there I was, trying to grab an edge of one of the outboard casings, while listening to the helms instruction and trying to let a bit of the air out that was trapped inside my dry suit - it's quite hard to move yourself about in the sea when wearing something that seemed to morph into a balloon the minute you hit the water. You soon learn to squat a few times while holding the suits neck away from your skin to let the trapped air out, before you get on the boat! Going back to the point of why I am telling you this, having to do this, cured my fear of water just like that. Although during an exercise on another occasion a few years later, having a seal bump into my legs when I was in the water, very nearly reignited my fear. The reason I am telling you this, is to say do not let what you think your limitations are, hold you back as you may well surprise yourself.
So if you decide this is something you would like to do, go for it. You will continue to learn and learn and learn!! In fact for as long as you are on the crew, you will never stop learning. Not only will you make some great friends and get to go to sea on a £1m+ boat, you get to save lives, what could be better than that.
Thanks for your service, I live too far from a station to be apart of it, the closet being 6 miles away I would love to have joined if I could. I live only a few miles from mousehole, and I have seen the old pen lee lifeboat station, it's chilling to think about what happened to the crew that night. Bravery beyond words. the crew are the sort that we should all measure ourselves by in life, selfless and heroic.
Unfortunately I'm to far away being half an hour from the coast. I'd definitely apply to join if I could.
Simply Amazing 👏
The worst Christmas present ever for a seafaring village. Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend. Preposterous courage.
Thank you to whoever made this video.
Lest we Forget
I thought i was fairly brave being a fireman,but these boys were something else,deep respect for them
Oh I've got a LOT of time for firemen (fire-people?) one sure got ME out of trouble!
You are incredibly brave in your own right! Water is just a different kind of hell with the same kind of brotherhood
The purest, most selfless act of heroism. These men are the best of humanity.
As an RNLI Crew I can say We look up to these men as the epitome of a lifeboat crew. Brave, Fearless and dedicated
Absolutely. My heros!
Keep going
@@fives2155 They are people to look up to and so are you and your crew mates. A special breed and for me I dont think anyone will ever realise the heroism that is "normal" for people like you.
Well said. Exactly right.
Watched this many many times .. tonight on the 40th anniversary of the tragedy I am watching again
The skill shown by the Coxswain and the outright steel shown by the crew is incredible! Personally, I think it's amazing that the RNLI is voluntary and the heroes that man the boats risk so much. No amount of praise can be enough. The fact that the current Coxwain lost his father is a tribute to the dedication of these unsung heroes.
Mind you, why is so little said about the winchman dangling on a little wire beneath a helicopter in a force 11 hurricane above a ship tossing about on waves bigger than houses?!!!!!! (Just wow)
The pilot and winchman speak from 28:55, and one says the cable wasn't long enough.
I have watched this several times over the years, and it gets me every time. It's the most heartbreaking thing I ever watched but these people and their work are also incredibly inspiring.
Same here. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen it over the past several years.
I am not in general taken to tears but the bravery and selflessness of these men brought me to it.
You represent the very best that this nation can give and I for one salute you.
Same here, every time I watch it ! Which I do, so I know about the best of humanity, there ever was.🙏☝️😇
I agree wholeheartedly.
Cried like a little girl my friends. We as humans, are capable of some truly awful things, but there are also still a few amazingly caring and GOOD things we also have the ability to do.
This story, and the people in it, are a great example of the goodness of human kind. Beyond the sadness for all of those who lost their lives and loved ones that night, this story gives me hope.
As corny as it is, I just wish we ALL could do a fraction more of the kindness in our everyday lives that these men showed that night.
If there are better narrators of documentaries than Bernard Hill, i haven't heard them. His voice is so calming and unique.
Brilliant
I dont know him, but youre absolutely correct, hes phenomenal.
I could just listen to the guy saying "The Union Stahhh", for hours on end alone.
@@chocolatetownforever7537 👍👍
@@chocolatetownforever7537
He played the captain in the film Titanic.
@Jack-hy1zq No way! He hardly got any lines in Titanic, so I didnt put two and two together lol.
Thanks for the info.
Good grief - with all those innocents on board, the decision to forego the salvage tug was the single moment of total error. RIP to all of these folks.
Don't forget the high cost involved when you go near anything around salvage. Most captains won't take that cost unless they are more than certain there's no option.
@@fluffyfour I have no clue about the rules of salvage. Does the captain have to pay it himself? Or does the ship owner have to cover the costs?
I remember awakening to the news of this terrible event as a young man and also recall how deeply it affected the people of this country at the time. I doubt it will ever be forgotten by those of us who are old enough to remember. As of today, 4/4/2021 266 people have voted this video down. God preserve us - what is wrong with you?
Maybe it is an incorrect aspect ratio - not the subject.
It spoils the emotion. What about a reposting . . .
kids or old people may accidentally push the thumbs down,
don't over analyse it
You are right. I was 17 at the time and it has had a deep a significant effect on me. I will never forget those lost and those still living who did all they could to save them; particularly the crew of Rescue 80 and its pilot LtCdr Smith USN.
I'm haunted by this film. Not dramatised nor glamourised it serves as a powerful reminder of humanity at its very best. This story should be told in schools across the land.
I agree it must have been a absolutely horrible experience for the coastguard talking to them one minute then nothing
@@paulking9614 it was a terrifying storm.
I can remember it living near the Sussex coast in 1981.Today ships would never go through this weather
@@Marvin-dg8vj yeah I did work for a while on a fishing boat for a while and when it blows up like that it's a very scary place to be so I can't imagine how the crew must have felt that night every year on the anniversary me and my family go and put flowers down at the old lifeboat station (as its only about 5-10 minutes walk from our home)
@@paulking9614 that's quite kind of you to show your community and the victim's families that people still care 💐
You have summed it up perfectly.
On the night of the 19th December 1981 I was returning from Middlesbrough to Penzance by train. I remember being literally blown up the platform at Penzance station with a heavy bag so fierce was the wind.
So great was the sacrifice these men made. It was a terrible Christmas. My most abiding memory was of a grown man hunched in a shop doorway crying his eyes out. I think he knew some of the crew of the Solomon Browne.
Never forget
I remember this story when I lived in landlocked Nottingham.
Now, I am moving to the REDCAR area - home to the oldest lifeboat THE ZETLAND.
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.
Being cornish and living so close to this tragedy and feeling the true sadness of mousehole newlyn penzance at that time I shall never forget,I was 16 at the time and couldn't believe it,,it was a honour for me to help(with others)to build the penlee memorial garden which is next to the old lifeboat Station,,I still get a lump in my throat and tears well up watching this documentary,,rest in peace brave men,,always remembered 🙏 ⚓
@@petey9338 I think any British person at that time who heard of that Disaster was truly shocked. It was so unthinkable to have such a loss of Men. 🙏
Four people rescued is fantastic - why didn't they turn about and return ?
They were trying to get everyone off
I was 12 and lived fairly nearby in West Cornwall. I remember it very well. The storm was horrific, I thought the wind was going to lift the roof off my bedroom that night. The chapel in our village lost its roof. When I woke up the next morning Radio Cornwall was on in the kitchen reporting on how the lifeboat had failed to return and the search was going on. At school we wrote poems about it. I remember singing "Eternal Father Strong To Save" in church the next Sunday.
I had sailed with the young Kevin Smith on the his first deep sea ship MV Port Caroline Port line shipping company. He was a very fine young man with great knowledge of the sea. I had no idea he received a bravery award for going to the rescue of the coaster Lovett.
A tragic story told in one of the best doco's I've seen.
Totally agree I was thinking the same thing Huck streamly well this was put together God bless
Same for me. Really heart-wrenching video. My heart breaks for everyone affected by that terrible night at sea
SFXᎎ
I teared up watching this.
Wow hearing him say they have 4 off then it cuts off. I am literally crying. They did such a good job the men from the penlee life boat are truly Hero’s. R.I.P to them and love to there family’s. They tried so hard to save those people. True Hero’s. ❤️
We can say "what if", these words were not in the vocabulary of these brave men who paid the ultimate price in this selfless act. God bless them and their families.
I just called in to say,i miss you Kevin Smith my brilliant navy friend,,R.I.P to all who lost there lives
Was Kevin’s body found?
no,he was not found....R.I.P. KEV...@@andreatibbatts2815
How anyone can put a thumbs down on this is beyond me. You sick heartless people. Very powerful documentary, Seth Lakeman’s song Solomon Brown brought my attention to this disaster. Really sad and from now on I will switch my Xmas tree lights off on the 19th of December every year.
Incorrect aspect ratio of the picture - that's all.
41 years ago this day!
I salute them all and will toast their courage. They'll never be forgotten.
Seth Lakeman,will never let them be forgotten,heroes brave and bold,upon that night !
On news today {April 4th 2023} the Lifeboat Station has been granted Heritage Status. Hopefully the Memories of the brave volunteers will be remembered for future generations.
@@Oakleaf700
OK; well that's good to hear. There will never be a problem remembering the sacrifice of the 8 crew from the SB; it's deeply engrained into the 'spirit' of the village.
@@NickPenlee I bet. A very Courageous band of Men. {And their Families} .
⚓
Trevelyan, how more Cornish can you get? "By Tre, Pol and Pen, you shall know Cornish men." My Mum's maiden name was Penhale her family had been fisherman in and around Fowey for over 300 years. RIP all soul's lost and a special thank you to the people of Mousehole who sacrificed 8 of their sons that fateful night.
Omg...the older man who described finding the intact body of his mate...that broke my heart. All these years later, you can still see his pain 😪
Kim Marie yup I cried like a baby
Coming from a small fishing village in Northumberland I was brought up to have the utmost respect for the RNLI R.I.P
I am moving to the REDCAR area - home of THE ZETLAND - the oldest surviving lifeboat in the world.
I remember this story when it happened - when I lived in landlocked NOTTINGHAM !
coming up to the 40th anniversary of this event in December 2021. I was 8 years old at the time and this I think is the first "news" story I can remember. I've always been affected by it and pay tribute to those brave brave men.
I was the same age too. I can vaguely remember it too 😢
Such a humbling story. I have total respect and admiration for Neil Brockman for continuing in his father's footsteps despite his tragic loss. The RNLI - wonderful people, every single one of them!
coros
Hopefully he will never have to face the impossible odds his father had to face that night. This loss probably contributed to the change in maritime laws in england that the coastguards now have the authority over the shipmaster to order a tug salvage.
Terrible it took a tragedy to change this procedure.
I saw this programme when it first came out. As a former Coastguard, this film had a huge impact on me, I remember crying as I heard the loss of radio signal, at which I felt no shame.
Still has the same impact on me seven years later.
RIP the crews of Union Star and RNLB Solomon Browne.
Boy Tierney so they both sanked
@@mastermouth what a thing to say what a moron you are
@@yhihf Someone who calls themselves ' @mastermouth ', who uses abysmal grammar and writes weak comments is seriously in want of an education. They are probably aged about 13 and falling way behind their peers in terms of respect..So try and troll pages of real men who are heroic.
@@americanstalker9216 W⚓.
@@mastermouth W⚓.
I admire the bravery of the lifeboatmen.I used to go to sea with my dad in a small coaster.The sea can be unforgiven in bad weather.The lifeboat will always get to the ship no matter what the weather.It is getting the crew off which will take all the skill and bravery of the coxen to achieve this.Lifeboat men will never back down and in certain circumstances will pay the ultimate price which happens here.I write this with tears in my eyes I salute you all.
Incredible story of bravery,much respect for these brave Cornish fisherman who gave their lives. The American helicopter pilot was also an amazing guy,especially since he never forgot what happened that night,and was so respectful of those who lost their lives.
40 years ago today! Never ever forgotten! Brave Souls!
What a wonderful tribute to the brave people who lost their lives on that terrible night on December 1981.
i was at sea this night in 1981 , further west in the english channel . Listened into some of the conversation on the radio . bravest men in the world on the solomen Browne , my whole crew , hard bitten as they we're , cried when we heard what happened . it was an horrendous night the whole crew in the wheelhouse watching the weather roll over the deck . i never had to call for assistance from the life boat , but i have always given to their cause , as i hope many who watch this will .
In 1965 I was a passenger on the general Maurice Rose enroute from bremerhaven to New York. Mid-Atlantic we had a 3-day Gale. Being a kid I just found it thrilling. I remember being amazed as ships we were passing in the shipping Lane they would disappear in the troughs. One thing I learned from that storm even though I found it thrilling as a kid was a very strong respect for the sea. The men that weren't out in the penlee Lifeboat were made of Sterner stuff than the wood of there are boat or the steel that was used to make the ship. The sum total of their knowledge, their skill and their lives came together in this attempt. They chose to be where they were at and do what they were doing. They were dedicated to saving lives. I can think of a lot of ways to die that senseless. I can't think of many ways to die in the fullness of purpose risking all that you are and all that the future may hold for a higher purpose. When I die I would wish it it is for a lofty purpose. Most of us will never make a choice like this. God bless their memory and their families.
further east ?
Hi.. Do you think the Captain Of Union Star should have accepted Tug Boats Loyds Open form Right away..?
I can only repeat what everyone else on here has - outstanding courage in horrendous conditions. What I'd like to add though is, I understand the rewards these amazing volunteers get when they selflessly save lives but surely they should get some remuneration. Part-time firefighters are paid (quite rightly) between £6,000 to £8,000 per year plus a retainer. Not a fortune but at least they are recognized for the dangerous work they do. It seems very unfair.
R.I.P. all those poor people on both boats and the two young children. So very sad.
I come from a family of sailors...Canadian Coast Guard sailors and some who were involved in the search and rescue following the tragic sinking of the Fitz...very deeply touching story of how common man can rise to the heights of bravery and self sacrifice and not give it a second thought when people's lives are in peril and in need...God Bless the souls of these brave men, all of those lost at sea that night , and to those who are left behind to mourn their passing....my highest respect to these brave men...God Bless... a very moving tribute was provided in this video, thank you to all involved.
I think the Canadian coastguard would have maybe got them off by helicopter using a winch man, I’ve seen them rescue people in the Bearing sea Alaska and the conditions there are far worse....❤
@@Roscoe.P.Coldchain I doubt it. The helicopter here was a dedicated Royal Navy rescue helicopter but by the end they were so close into the cliffs they were in danger of being blown into them. I doubt any other rescue service could have done more.
I felt a shiver go right down my spine when mr Richards last words were spoken over the radio.To give your life for someone you didn't even meet or know is the ultimate gift a stranger could give. To me they are heroic men.
You can't find words to describe how you feel about these brave brave men,who must have been petrified of loosing their own lives in but still pushed on because others were needing help...so 😢
RIP all who perished on that atrocious night, your bravery will never be forgotten, and your seamanship probably never rivaled, I can only imagine how horrendous that sea was on that night, you sacrificed your own lives for no financial gain, and to me payed the ultimate sacrifice, god bless you all, never forgotten in the hearts of the living.
I'm from South Africa. I just watched this for the first time and it blew my mind. Unrivalled heroism and bravery. They stared death in the face trying to save another living creature and that is truly commendable. I've referred this story on so that the Penlee Lifeboat disaster may never be forgotten. This would make one heck of a high budget film.
I don't think these are the type of people that would want a "high budget" film made about this.
They are modest, brave and enduring.
They deal with it in their own way.
Brave unselfish men , thank you for your dedication .
And how composed were all of these men that night as well? My God, that Captain had ice water in his veins.
The RESCUE boat was small enough to land on the resCUED boats deck. Think about how unreal that is, and how terrible those seas must have been for that lil wooden boat?
Amazing. God bless all those people, rescued, or rescuers.
whoever disliked this as a serving RNLI Member if you get into trouble and my boat comes for you I'll pull you out the water not cos I want to save you but because we risk our lives for yours and its about goddamn time you showed respect for us and its our job to save you
I know. The mind boggles..
Huge respect for you sir,and anyone who'd put to an angry sea for no other reason than their belief that it was the right thing to do 🙏
I think it isn't the subject matter that was being trashed but the incorrect aspect ratio of the picture. It does reduce the emotions somewhat - and is a great shame. Maybe it could be reposted . . .
I am moving to the REDCAR area - home of the oldest lifeboat THE ZETLAND.
I've just watched this very moving documentary about some incredibly brave men. I had to drive my son to college after watching and on the way I was looking at the height of the trees in relation to the height of the waves they faced. To think they faced that in a full blown force 10 at night just staggers me. I will pay a visit to Mousehole to pay my respects and drop some notes in the bucket. RIP
Bravery doesn't even come close to describe there actions,born HERO'S GODS CHILDREN THRU AND THRU! PHENOMENAL DOCUMENTARY
Proud to have served with people as brave as these guys
I don't know why I opened this sea disaster but the minute I started watching and heard them using past tenses to describe everybody, I knew I would be crying at the end. I also immediately noticed the picture of the 1 woman and 2 children and saw them with Table Mountain in the back ground and I knew they were, like myself South African. Cruel Sea. To sacrifice your life trying to save others is the greatest gift. RIP
I have fund raised and worked as an education volunteer for the RNLI because of the Penlee Disaster. Like so many other I cried when I saw this documentary many years ago. I still cry. They went above and beyond.
To die is the fate of all but very few have the courage and luck to choose to the time..the place and do it for the good of others for they are called heroes.......God bless and thank you
Hats off to the courage of lifeboat crews. Proper heroes.
I live on the coast in the UK. We have a lifeboat station in our little town ( long tradition of fishing here you see). When the RNLI box's come out so does my purse. But even so, this...this really rub's in what fabulous, selfless people they are.
The coxain said on this night there will be no shame if you say no. Each man stepped forward and said we will go. So let us pray for these men and there story allways tell .and for the life boat men and women that rescue strangers from the seas from hell
I've always thought that the Falklands War a few months later wiped out the memory of this disaster, these men put military VCs etc. into perspective.
I was in Fowey, Cornwall that week and will never forget the feeling of everybody.
RIP and support the RNLI.
So sad
I'm watching this on 15 1. 2025,,RIP to those and all volunteers of previous and future volunteers ❤❤
As a boy we used to sing 'For those in peril on the sea'. It used to fill me with foreboding. When you listen to this brilliant documentary, and imagine the bravery of all involved, that hymn comes back to me. Tragic loss of life against the elements under the greatest stress, and bravery beyond what could humanly be expected.
Huge respect from Duluth, Minnesota. The level of bravery displaced in such desperately grim, horrid and atrocious conditions must never be forgotten.
I´ve read about this disaster in an English schoolbook in Germany. However now we use a different book in our school. We used to have lots of discussions in lessons about the story. Thanks for sharing with us.
Breaks my heart, my grandads boat sank in the late 70s with my dad grandpa all the crew on board and thanks too guys like these all crew members were saved. ❤️
If you want to know what humanity at is best is, it's this: people giving their lives to help strangers because it would be wrong to let them die and do nothing.
+Sam Russell it is the reason i have the greatest respect for lifeboat crews, i remember not long after the Falklands war an RNLI boat went out in the middle of the night in mountainous seas howling wings willing to risk their lives to save the people from an Argentinian ship a country that fought their own Who could ask for more anywhere on this earth, who on earth deserves as much respect, other than the RNLI crew? for me they will always be the greatest God Bless them all
Do you know the name of the ship rescued by the RNLI boat? This is the first time I read about this. I am a native of Argentina. Thanks.
I personally try to support the Dover RNLI as much as I can. I now live in Germany but lived in Dover for many years. The Secretary told me that the funds of the RNLI were very low before the Penlee Lifeboat disaster. After that awful incident, more people were conscious of how dangerous the sea is and how vulnerable are the men involved in merchant shipping.
I would also be interested to know more about that incident.
R. I. P.
The RNLI are currently taking some stick from those that dont understand their philosophy and committment to saving lives at sea, especially with the current illegal migrant crisis. This video of the Penlee Lifeboat tragedy should put into perspective the courage and committment of our Lifeboat Crews every time they set sail. Brave men and women one and all, as someone who spent over 30 years in Offshore Oil and Gas exploration, there is never a moment on a particularly stormy night when I dont stop and think about those brave men and women, standing bye, ready to respond to any maritime emergency.They should all be saluted !
Wow!
One of the best documentaries of heroism I have ever seen.
Amazing how calm the radio contact was between the chopper and the two Captains under such stressful circumstances.
I'm so glad someone made this documentary so the world can acknowledge and respect those brave men. I'd never heard of it before.
I am visiting Mousehole today this film gives an insight into the amazing qualities these men had, Courage ,determination,selflessness .May we never forget the men themselves.May we never forget the families left behind whom this time of year brings a cruel reminder. I shall return home wishing i had 1% of their courage in me. Peaceful xmas to all.
There are few stories of true heroism and selflessness that affect me more than the one of these men. This documentary should be shown in every school in the land.
The award of the George Cross to the RNLI in recognition of the selfless courage of its volunteers past and present is long overdue.
I'm honored to have witnessed such selfless men - true men - impeccable men. Thank you for sharing.
as an ex fisherman every time I went to sea it was a huge comfort to know the RNLI was there if the worst should happen, but the sea takes no prisoners, it cares not, it's harsh, it's a force you can't predict or control and it's beautiful. millions of people risk their lives every day to catch your dinner, bring goods and resources from overseas and to come to the rescue of anyone in need, but it makes me sick when money (salvage fees) costs the lives of people, the shipping company directors should have been strung up! lest we forget x
Ahhhh, but, you are wrong, it's the year 2000 now, and we can predict it now, very well.
I suspect that it was more than that. Moreton may have had his family on board contrary to company regulations, so he may have declined the tow not just due to the fees, but that the salvage process would've revealed to the company that they were on board!
@@MrWombatty - As much as I tried to think something else, I was ALSO thinking that Moreton was in a dilemma with the girlfriend and children on board. The unauthorized and unrevealed presence of the three extras could have severely compromised the ship's liability policy, to the point where Moreton might even have lost his job. I don't believe he made a deliberate attempt to avoid a rescue, but I believe his mind was clouded with the situation and he was going to make a valiant attempt to get the ship sea-borne again and get to port without any intervention. It was just an impossible situation regardless of who or how many were on board - the sea could not be reckoned with that night.
@@2ndhandSue And Mr.Wombatty ,I believe Mr.Moreton made mistakes that night that cost his life ,all those aboard and contributed to the loss of Penlee Lifeboat .
@@eflanagan1921 - Quite possibly, yes. It's very tragic however it happened. The tribunal did not assign blame anywhere, so I'm certainly not going to, but some of the decisions certainly raised my eyebrow.
I’ve watched this many times over the years and have grown to personally love these guys and grieve for them. Genuine heroes. This film is a wonderful tribute to them all.
There is a phrase, worse things happen at sea; this tragedy was one of them! I am retired now with Parkinson's disease but often find myself drawn to listen and watch this grim tale and think; 'there but for the grace of God.....' I come from a fishing family traced back by a Canadian lady family member some 500 years. My Father was a fisherman and for a time Coxswain of the Exmouth Lifeboat. His fishing took him tp an area extending to the English Channel, Cornwall, South Wales and Southern Ireland and the Scilly Isles. He knew Treveleyan Richards, the Coxswain and was a good friend of Fisherman Jim Madron whose son,also James, also perished in the incident. I spent idylic summer holidays with my Dad' we lived in an old Pilchard fishermans cottage in Mousehole when I was on holiday from boarding school'
Fishing wasn't for me, I joined the Merchant Navy. On leave I used to sit in my Grandmothers bungalow on the pier at Exmouth watching the ships come and go. Union Transport ships where always smartly maintained and that is how I met 'Mick' Morton when I went down on his ship for a cup of tea; Some months later I joined the Company where I met and became a good friend of Jim Whittaker. So you see I had a foot in both camps, those calling for help and those prepared go and try to rescue them. Well it happened. A fortnight later we loaded the same cargo of fertiliser in Holland that now lay on the sea bed near Tater Dhu and sailed for Arklow. It was my watch as we passed the wreck of the Star and I went in close for a look. It was a calm day, flat calm sea and there was the wreck of the Star upside down. From my angle the hull looked perfect, the antifouling unscratched. It was awful, and haunts me to this day. I remember talking it over with my father, he said that Trevelyan should never have attempted the rescue. I asked him what he would have done, silence, he would have gone too!
even now 39 years later I still remember the shock at hearing the news on the BBC.
I was a sailor in the Fastest race 1979 rescued by helicopter just off Penzance. It all came flooding back I am crying now!
tears of sadness with a chest full of pride !!
No better human form than a volunteer Lifeboat ... in these times I have to say crew but I know they were all men Cornish men made of Granite and born Free!
God rest their souls and God bless us all!
I’ve just watched a documentary about the 1979 Fastnet. Absolutely terrifying.
It’s with great regret that I say over the last few years a lot of things happened to the station. Firstly the door knobs on the outside of the old station were stolen, second Trevelyans gold medal was stolen (later found) and Dudley Penrose passed away in 2017
It was disgusting what happened. I'm not sure if the items were recovered either.
We shouldn't put gun and knives into our kids hands in a misguided attempt to make them brave.
They should just watch this film . . .
Maybe from a prison cell on their first forced stay.
I was in Cornwall that night, i'd been to St Ives to see my daughters then my friends and I drove up to Newquay for the night. It was a terrible storm, when we heard the next morning of what had happened we were dumstruck, what such brave men to take a boat out that night, my heart goes out to all the families and friends of those who lost their lives. Please if you visit the sea, find the RNLI shop, buy something to help support these such brave men.
37 years ago today, still a tragic event even after all this time. As mentioned below please give a few quid to the RNLI. Men and women with balls of steel.
RIP all aboard the Solomon Browne and MV Union star.
It sends shivers down my spine when the radio goes dead. Next time you see a collection box for the RNLI, stick a couple of quid in it, will you?
***** allways m8
Where might an American contribute to the RNLI?
Jennifer Brewer Bless you! You can go to rnli.org.uk. All donations, no matter how small, go straight to where it's needed.
My grandad used to be in the RNLI
the sea literally tore the bodies to pieces. Unimaginable.
38 years ago now, but never forgotten. We should all be lucky to have even a fraction of the courage of these extraordinary men.
Brave indeed. Four people rescued is great - then they really should have tried to return.
My dad was on a lightship at the time of this disaster. Previously a Merchant Seaman, he listened to this terrible tragedy unfold live, on the ships radio. How awful for those involved. And how brave were those volunteers...
Admiration and utmost respect to these heroes. RIP.
A powerful and extremely moving documentary. The events of 19th December 1981 continue to have an enduring impact on the local community here, particularly those living by the sea in Mousehole, Newlyn and Penzance. Over the years I have known many people who have shared with me their own personal stories and connections with the Solomone Browne lifeboat. These include a friend in Mousehole who had lived next door to one of the lost crew members, another friend, a local harbourmaster who recalled how he had once gone out on the Solomone Browne before he had joined the merchant navy, and another friend a local painter and decorator who was asked by the RNLI some years back to repaint the original boathouse as a mark of respect for the 25th anniversary. Everything inside was apparently left just as it was untouched the day the men last went out to sea. My dad used to regularly go shore fishing with a rod from the rocks of Penlee Point on a small six hour tidal island called Bell Rock right next to where the old Penlee lifeboat station is. He was absolutely devastated on hearing news of the loss of the lifeboat and for years spoke of the crews bravery and sacrifice with deep emotion and respect. I remember my dad telling me how he would sometimes fondly share a 'hello' with a very friendly Trevelyan Richards and Nigel Brockman at Penlee, and sometimes they asked him how the fishing was going. Dad enjoyed watching the Solomon Browne lifeboat regularly launch down the concrete slipway when she was doing regular sea training and he told me what a lovely and beautifully maintained boat she was. News of the loss shocked him to the core. Dad had a friend who was a local policeman at the time who later told him how terribly sad and eerie it was driving past the boathouse the very night the lifeboat went missing and seeing some of the crew members cars still left parked outside on the pavement as the search and rescue efforts continued, and how he could hardly stand up on the clifftop around Tater Dhu such was the ferocious power of the wind and the driving rain that night.
It was many years later as a boy that I would regularly join my dad sea fishing at Penlee Point - by now probably a decade after 1981. I always remember the presence of the old empty lifeboat station there with its angled concrete slipway. One cold winter's day about four years ago I actually got the opportunity to go inside the old lifeboat house for the first time due to the fact that the current Penlee crew from Newlyn were there at the boathouse with a few visiting RNLI crew from another lifeboat station. They let me come in to have a look with them. It was an intense and emotional experience, and I sensed a stillness before witnessing the huge wooden doors to the slipway being opened and immediately feeling the cold wind rush in from the sea that particular day before the doors were quickly closed back up again. I could not help but imagine the lifeboat launching into the sea there that terrible night - as I often do to this day whenever there's a powerful storm tearing into Mounts Bay in the black of night, thinking of the ferocious seas and winds the Solomone Browne and her crew had to confront as they went out to the Union Star under the dark, lonely and treacherous cliffs near Tater Dhu.
I have recently learnt that the old station with its memorial gardens has recently been given Grade II Listed protection status and a few years ago, to mark the fortieth anniversary, a new granite memorial with carved albatrosses was erected at the Tregiffian cliff in memory of the sixteen onboard both the Union Star and the Solomon Browne . One thing is absolutely certain: from the stories that I have heard over the years and from what I have seen and read about Penlee I can only have the utmost admiration and respect for the crew of the Solomone Browne who are heroes and absolute legends and who I believe will never be forgotten!
Pretty touching story i am from east coast Canada, Cape Breton Island these stories are similar to our tragedies and lifestyles God Bless Everyone
We sailed past the old lifeboat station today and spared a thought for those brave hero’s.
Visit the RNLI museum in REDCAR. It displays THE ZETLAND - one of the original lifeboats of the world.
I will be moving to the area - and remember this story when it happened.
Thank you for putting this on TH-cam each time I watch this I cry these men will never be forgotten.
i was on 28ft catamaran for 18 hours in very rough sea conditions between penzance and tresco n when we were reported missing these guys looked for me and my 2 sisters xx they are n always will be my heroes xxxx
That is not what 'lost at sea' means.
when was that?
@@celtic333ful 82
@@samfibrofox glad you survived.
@@celtic333ful ty me too lol it was an experience you don't forget the sea became huge walls of water when we were in the bottom of the troughs then became huge cliffs of water when on the top looking down into the blackness x the roaring and noises were crazy x out outboard motor was useless and we ran out of fuel ⛽ I was only a young teenager then it certainly made me respect the sea and witness how dangerous it is the power is terrifying and awe inspiring ty for your comments x have a good holiday x
I watch it every year and it still makes me cry. The simple but absolute heroism of these guys leaves me speechless. I moved to Cornwall in 2006 and started giving to the RNLI just as a way to say thank you. No words can describe what they did; but in this family at least we will always remember them and those left behind in Mousehole....
It’s the one British institution that 'we' are so very proud of. Funded by the public, staffed by volunteers, they have saved countless lives over the decades all wthout a single thought regarding their own safety.
i miss my friend kevin smith so much even to this day.r.i.p. to my amazing buddy and all your crew members
You were lucky to have known such a brave man. RIP, Mr Smith
kevin was my mate jeremys cousin.he said kevin was a nice guy.all those that lost their lives that night were heroes
My mum Amanda Torrie was Smith Partner but not at this time when this happened
Bless you x
I AM So SORRY
I was 31 when the Penlee tragedy happened and remember like it was only yesterday. As a young lad i'd enjoyed family holidays in Cornwall and visited Mousehole a few times. I've seen this documentary before but watched again, tears streaming down my face dropping into my meal. So many poignant moments but the worst I think is the final radio call from the Solomon Brown with the Coastguard calling.....but the airwaves are empty. Horrible. But thank God for the RNLI and all the brave selfless men that crew the lifeboats.
Best documentary of all time! Those RNLI volunteers continue to do such remarkable work without question!
Beautifully made documentary & so deeply moving.
When it got to the part about the tug boat - the tug captain wanted assured money whilst the Union Star refused a tug - I was wondering why isn't it being made compulsory by the Falmouth Coast guard?
And we later find out that the Coast Guard ate able to do that now.
Because from the ship's captain's point of view, he'll refuse help to avoid incurring costs for the ship's owner and incurring costs may impavt his job. And also it may feel embarrassing to accept help early on as may give impression that he can't cope with the job etc.
So I'm glad ship captains no longer have the responsibility of the definite call to bring out a tug boat.
I feel for the guy in the beginning saying as a journalist he always wished for a world exclusive and when he got his wish it was heartbreaking. I felt exactly the same way when I started my undergrad studies at the Journalism school at NYU. A week and a half later 9/11 happened. I was 20 blocks away. I don't wish for "big news" anymore.
Rest In Peace. You will never ever be forgotten here in Cornwall.
19/12/18, thank you so much for what you men did, and the sacrifice you made on this day 37 years ago.
Every time I go to the ship inn at mousehole I always put as much money as I can in the collection tin on the bar....
I remember this well;I was 3rd Engineer of a ship that went looking for survivors.It was heartbreaking.
The day after this disaster I wrote a cheque for Ten Pounds..Put it in an envelope adressed to 'Penlee Lifeboat'.. Only that.. The Post Office got it there..In the new year my bank manager (Midland Bank in Chester) called me in as I had exceeded my overdraught limit of 250 pounds..He said to me ' Don't worry the bank has covered this one with no deduction to your account' We were both ex Navy. God Bless RNLI. Oh hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.!
Bless you mate.
It's amazing how we all come together in times of tragedy. It's a shame we can't all be so caring the rest of the time.🤔 Great story, thank you and the bank for your kindness. 😊
Lovely.
So you have money that you did not have .. really smart ...
@@mikekennedy5470 Have a word with yourself Mike; smart comments aren't needed here.
An awful awful tragedy. Thank God there are people who will put their lives on the line to save others and sometimes they pay the price.. They fully deserve our respect and support.
To the brave men of the Solomon Browne...
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
Mortons decline to have a tug there because of salvage costs began this whole nightmare really. HOWEVER, the poor guy was probably acting under his ships, the Unions Star's company's orders to save a buck til the bitter end. God Bless the SolomonBrown Crew. They never gave up til the end!. 🙏 Great documentary!
His decision to collect his family, against company rules, delayed the passage fatally. If he had proceded as he should have, the Penlee men would be alive today. He was to blame.
@@paulinevanderhoff9007 A board of investigation exonerated the Union Star's skipper of any blame. I will take their professional findings over your armchair verdict any day. Have some fucking respect!
A most powerful and excellent documentary. This American is humbled by the bravery of these men of the Lifeboat service and the Coast Guard. May the Lord continue to comfort their families and friends.
This American could not be more in agreement. God bless all the brave souls who gave the ultimate sacrifice for others. What more beautiful yet heartbreaking act could there be.
I have heard of this in the past but did not watch this program till few days ago. My heart is filled with sorrow. I will always remember them.
I am moving to the area where you see THE ZETLAND - one of the very first lifeboats.
Saddens me every single year that I watch this!! RIP penlee crew
I remember hearing about this as a 14 year old. Being Cornish born and bred it had a large effect on me and many others. I remember both my mother and father and myself crying when we heard about it on the BBC news.
The pain never goes away: Southport we lost the Eliza Fernley plus St Annes lost all hands on the Laura Jannet.
1886