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1981:The true story of the eight fishermen who died on December 19th 1981
Penlee: The Loss of a Lifeboat
What you need to know before your trail
In 1981, eight lifeboatmen died on December 19th 1981, as they attempted to rescue those on board the coaster Union Star, after its engines failed at heavy seas. The victims were all from the Cornish village of Mousehole.
The search and rescue team had terrible wether conditions that night and the wind was fierce. This is the lasting story of eight heroic men
Travel Guide
The Penlee lifeboat disaster occurred on 19 December 1981 off the coast of Cornwall. The Penlee Lifeboat was named Solomon Browne. After the lifeboat had rescued four people, both it and tehe Union Star were lost with all hands; in all, sixteen people died including eight volunteer lifeboatmen.
There is now a plaque commemorating the bravery of the lifeboat men that night.
Wreckage from the Solomon Browne was found along the shore, and the Union Star was found capsized just west of Tater Du Lighthouse. Some of the 16 bodies were eventually recovered.
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information: Penlee: The Loss of a Lifeboat
Author/Guide: Michael Sagar-Fenton Destination: Mousehole, Newlyn Departure Time: 1981
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