penlee lifeboat diaster - cruel sea 

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

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.

This is quite simply one of the best documentaries I have ever seen on television, superbly put together, gripping and ultimately heartbreaking!

If there are better narrators of documentaries than Bernard Hill, i haven't heard them. His voice is so calming and unique.

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.

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.

The purest, most selfless act of heroism. These men are the best of humanity.

I thought i was fairly brave being a fireman,but these boys were something else,deep respect for them

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.

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 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.

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.

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)

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 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?

40 years ago today! Never ever forgotten! Brave Souls!

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. ❤️

Brave unselfish men , thank you for your dedication .

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.

What a wonderful tribute to the brave people who lost their lives on that terrible night on December 1981.

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.

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.

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 😪

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.

41 years ago this day! I salute them all and will toast their courage. They'll never be forgotten.

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.

A tragic story told in one of the best doco's I've seen.

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 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 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.

I just called in to say,i miss you Kevin Smith my brilliant navy friend,,R.I.P to all who lost there lives

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 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 .

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.

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?

Watched this many many times .. tonight on the 40th anniversary of the tragedy I am watching again

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.

Watching this documentary in December 2023, it still impacts me the way it did the first time I saw it, many years ago now. I try to watch it shortly before Christmas every year, in honour of the great men who manned the Penlee lifeboat and their families and friends left behind. I hope to travel there one day- a long journey from Australia though!

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.!

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

Putting adverts in a documentary like this is disgusting, aren't you ashamed of yourself RU-vid?

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'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 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.

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 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.

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.

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

WOW! I had to pause because of crying. I watch a lot of documentaries, but nothing like this. Whoever wrote & filmed this heartbreaking documentary, thank you & God Bless you for telling their story with such grace and reverence. You have truly honored those who were lost. If you haven't already watched this moving documentary, watch it. If you have watched it, watch it again! It's well worth a second viewing. Just keep the tissues close. I give it 9 1/2 ★/10★ And ♥♡♥♡♥!

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.

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!

I'm honored to have witnessed such selfless men - true men - impeccable men. Thank you for sharing.

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.

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.

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. ❤️

Coming from a small fishing village in Northumberland I was brought up to have the utmost respect for the RNLI R.I.P

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.

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

Huge respect from Duluth, Minnesota. The level of bravery displaced in such desperately grim, horrid and atrocious conditions must never be forgotten.

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.

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.

Such selfless and honourable men and women who do this work. They show how noble and generous humans can be. What a pity so much of human life is wrapped up in selfishness, greed and in stark contrast to this example.

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!

Coming up to 40 years this December 2021 And still as raw as the night it happened God bless them all

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

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.

Proud to have served with people as brave as these guys

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.

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....

Best documentary of all time! Those RNLI volunteers continue to do such remarkable work without question!

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.

Pretty touching story i am from east coast Canada, Cape Breton Island these stories are similar to our tragedies and lifestyles God Bless Everyone

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.

Its lovely they're remembered!! much love from Adelaide,Australia😍

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

Just heard queens honours list delighted young man stephen who raised millions as a cancer sufferer was offered posthumous MBE Why do over paid over exposed so called actors like Angelina Jolie get it?! Surely these men deserve a posthumous award ? Worst loss in RNLI history

The captain of that boat was reckless, and he got those men killed, he was repeatedly warned they were approaching the coast, and he KNEW what would happen if they got close to them

Watch this every year after first seeing it. I was three at the time it happened having Christmas at my Grandparents and remember the disbelief and shared grief amongst my parents and grandparents. I didn’t get it obviously but knew something terrible had happened. Horrific and devastating but heroic and inspirational. As long as people like these exist the human race will always have hope. RIP

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 started watching this at 19:30hrs on 19/12/20. 39 years later. Sat here thinking about those poor soles who shortly would have been requested to launch the Penlee Lifeboat. I have tears in my eyes, rolling down my face thinking about the crew who gave it their all to help others and paid the ultimate price. God rest their soles. 🙏🏻

What an absolutely wonderful documentary, remembrance, and tribute. The U.S. used to make documentaries like this, but no longer it seems. I know this is an old program, but I hope BBC continues to make meaningful shows like this one. Thank you.

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

It is hard to say this but the decision of the Union Star Captain not to accept the Tugboat's offer of towing because of financial reasons and not calling for rescue when they were still far enough away from the coast was what led to the brave men of the Penlee lifeboat losing their lives. This tragic accident should never have happened.

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!

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....

i miss my friend kevin smith so much even to this day.r.i.p. to my amazing buddy and all your crew members

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.

Thanks for sharing that. I once lived in the area, and know the immense amount of respect all lifeboat men and women get and deserve.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. --John 15: 13

Thank you for putting this on RU-vid each time I watch this I cry these men will never be forgotten.

The pain never goes away: Southport we lost the Eliza Fernley plus St Annes lost all hands on the Laura Jannet.

I’ve watched this video several times in admiration of the courage of Trevelyan Richards and his crew. I don’t think any reasonable person could not be but moved by that. I also love Neil Bockmans smile which portrays who he is and the way he has dealt with. A great example of dealing with adversity and tragedy which has borne him well in subsequent grief and challenges in life he has had to deal. Great people.

I was in Fowey then. We never forget, the war of the following year distorted the meaning of true bravery, where were the eight George Crosses ?

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.

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!

Can anyone explain why on earth there would be 244 thumbs down to this film?? Just what is wrong with some people.

This made me sad and I really feel for these brave guys and their families and the people of the village! As a former merchant marine, I'm well aware of the cruel sea. May they rest in peace and always remembered!

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!

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