The small memorial garden shown above is located outside the now disused Penlee lifeboat station, on the outskirts of Mousehole in south Cornwall.
19th December 1981 saw the final launch down the lifeboat station’s ramp. The Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne and her volunteer crew of eight Mousehole men headed out into 100mph winds and 16m breaking seas to rescue the crew of the stricken MV Union Star. The lifeboatmen understood the risks; Coxswain Richards had barred one crew member from boarding, saying “No more than one from any family on a night like this”.
They did not return home.
Mark, I can hardly read this without choking. I’ve read the book…….a quite incredibly story and tragic loss. Hero’s all.
Paddle this weekend?
Going to North Devon to paddle, if you fancy it?