Cornish people have traditionally relied on the sea to provide for their families. Fishing, though under threat, still plays a major role in the local economy. A visit to the Newlyn Fish market will reveal catches brought home from as far as the Bay of Biscay and beyond.
Due to this maritime relationship, the local people voluntarily man the Royal National Life Boat Institution's lifeboats. The crews, made up of local people, will go to the aid of fellow mariners in distress. Often in conditions of extreme personal danger.
On 19th December, 1981 the crew of the RNLI Penlee lifeboat - Solomon Browne - were called to give assistance to the 1,400 ton coaster Union Star.
The M.V. Union Star, a new vessel registered in Dublin was on her maiden voyage from Ijmuiden to Arklow. The weather conditions were amongst the worst ever seen, with winds from the south east at hurricane force 12 and gusting to 90 knots; the seas off the coast of South West Cornwall were topping heights of around 60ft.
The M.V. Union Star had reported engine failure when eight miles east of Wolf Rock Lighthouse. She was drifting towards the cliffs between the Tater-du Lighthouse and Boscowan pt.
The conditions were so poor that in spite of many attempts a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter, piloted by Lt-Cdr Russell L. Smith USN, operating at under the 300ft level of the nearby cliffs and in winds exceeding 100mph, was unable to lift off any of the coaster's crew. In a letter, read during the inquest held at Penzance following the tragedy, the Navy pilot wrote;
"Throughout the entire rescue the Penlee crew never appeared to hesitate. After each time they were washed, blown or pumped away from the casualty [the Union Star] the Penlee crew immediately commenced another run-in. Their spirit and dedication was amazing. They were truly the greatest eight men I have ever seen."As the mountainous seas drove the Union Star towards the cliffs the crew of the Solomon Browne, led by Coxswain William Trevelyan Richards, repeatedly took the lifeboat alongside the coaster attempting to rescue the eight people on board. On at least two occasions the lifeboat was lifted onto the deck of the Union Star and then slid back into the sea - stern first.
The Solomon Browne was observed to have slammed against the coaster's side but was seen moving away, apparently still under control. The last message from the lifeboat confirmed that four people had been rescued. Before returning to their base the helicopter crew saw Solomon Browne, then only about 50 yards off the steep to rocky shore, turn, possibly to make another approach. There was no further radio contact with the lifeboat, but her lights were seen to disappear some ten minutes later, at about the same time that the Union Star was overwhelmed and laid on her side to the west of Tater-du Lighthouse.
As news of the tragedy was unfolding, the Vincent Nesfield Lifeboat which was temporarily on station at Sennen Cove, was launched in the very early hours of December the 20th. The Oakley class lifeboat was under the command of Coxwain/Mechanic Maurice Hutchens but, heading into the full force of the storm and with wind against tide increasing the ferocity of the seas, she was unable to round Lands End.
The Vincent Nesfield launched again and joined the St Mary's, Isles of Scilly lifeboat along with the Lizard-Cadgwith lifeboat The Duke of Cornwall, helicopters, HM Coastguard coastal rescue teams and fishing vessels in the search for those missing.
Despite many hours searching throughout the night and following day, eight lifeboat crew and the crew on board the Union Star were lost. Some of the bodies have never been recovered.
Fred Wallis, Father of Gary Lee Wallis told the author of this site;
"The night the lifeboat was launched many of the crew and my son were in the British Legion club playing darts and snooker when the maroons went off, ( the maroons were a rocket fired in the air and gave a loud bang) all the volunteers would run to the Lifeboat station and be selected by Charlie Richards aka "Whackers", the skipper, on the night of the disaster Whackers chose only one member from each family, there was always plenty of volunteers, however on this night the weather was so bad he was very worried. My son Gary ask me to watch his beer as he would be back for it, Im still watching it, he never returned".
Awards for gallantry have been made to the coxswain and crew of the Solomon Browne for the rescue of four people from the Union Star despite the tragic end to their efforts.
The Gold medal for outstanding gallantry was awarded to Coxswain William Trevelyan Richards.
The Bronze medal for gallantry was awarded to each member of the lifeboat's crew:Second Coxswain/Mechanic James Stephen Madron Assistant Mechanic Nigel Brockman Emergency Mechanic John Robert Blewett Crew Member Charles Thomas Greenhaugh Crew member Kevin Smith Crew member Barrie Robertson Torrie Crew member Gary Lee Wallis
A gold medal service plaque was awarded to the station. Toll for the Brave
The dark enveloped them
As they rode out
And left the shore,
But in that night
Their light
Was seen no more
The summons they obeyed,
Sudden, unafraid,
Would be for them a final call,
Would lead them, death defied,
Into the hideous cauldron
Where they died,
Those young men, all.
And there,
Great deeds were done.
Toll for the brave-
They had one life to give,
One precious life,
Douglas Tregenza.
Examples above of some of the headlines that followed the tragedy.
Many thanks.
In compiling this page, the authors have relied on information provided by the RNLI & local people. For this information, the authors would like to express their gratitude. If you can add further details or would like to comment on this page please mail us.
The Solomon Browne was replaced by the RNLI Mabel Alice.
Following the tragedy, a Memorial Garden was established alongside the Penlee Lifeboat House.
When visiting this area of England, you will often come across R.N.L.I. donation boxes or fund raising events. Make a donation - out of respect for the people who have lost their lives and the people who continue to man the lifeboats.
Above, the Penlee Lifeboat House, from which the Solomon Browne would launch, for the very last time; December 19th, 1981.
The RNLI Solomon Browne.
Pictured launching down the slipway of the Penlee Lifeboat House.
The Wreck of the M.V. Union Star.
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