Wikipedia

Penlee Lifeboat Station

Penlee Lifeboat Stationis the base forRoyal National Lifeboat Institution(RNLI) search and rescue operations forMount's BayinCornwall,United Kingdom. Thelifeboatstation operated at various locations inPenzancefrom the early 19th century. It moved toPenlee PointnearMouseholein 1913, thus gaining its current name, but was moved toNewlynin 1983 without any change of name. The station is remembered for theloss of the entire lifeboat crew on 19 December 1981.

Penlee Lifeboat Station
Penlee Lifeboat Station is located in Cornwall
Penlee Lifeboat Station
Map of Cornwall showing Newlyn
General information
TypeLifeboat Station
LocationNewlyn
AddressNewlyn Harbour, TR18 5HW
CountryUnited Kingdom
Coordinates50°06′14″N5°32′55″W/ 50.1039°N 5.5487°W/50.1039; -5.5487
OpenedAt Penlee Point 1913
Current building 2019
OwnerRNLI
Website
RNLI: Penlee lifeboat station
Listed Building– Grade II
Official nameFormer Penlee Point lifeboat house, slipway, retaining and boundary walls, and memorial garden
Designated17 February 2023
Reference no.1481300

History

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Map of the lifeboat stations around Mounts Bay. Penlee is on the left.

The first lifeboat in Cornwall was purchased forPenzancein 1803 but it was sold in 1812 without ever being used in service. A district association was formed in 1824 as part of the new National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (as the RNLI was known at the time) and a lifeboat for Mount's Bay was again stationed at Penzance from 1826 a couple of years and then permanently from 1853.[1][2][3]

The Penzance LifeboatElizabeth and Blanchewas moved toNewlynin 1908, where it was kept under atarpaulinbeside the harbour, althoughPenzance Lifeboat Stationremained in use until 1917.[4][5]

At Penlee Point

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The lifeboat remained at Newlyn until 1913, when a new boathouse was built atPenlee Pointsouth of Newlyn on the outskirts ofMousehole.This was elevated a little above the water, and the lifeboat could be launched down aslipwayinto open water at all states of the tide. The old "pulling and sailing" lifeboat was replaced by one with a motor in 1922.[5][6]

The loss of theSolomon Browne

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Main article:Penlee lifeboat disaster

On 19 December 1981 theSolomon Brownewas launched to go to the aid of the MVUnion Starafter its engines failed 8 miles (13 km) east of theWolf Rock.[7]Winds were gusting at up to 90 knots (100 mph; 170 km/h) –hurricaneforce 12 on theBeaufort scale– and whipping up waves 60 feet (18 m) high.[8]On board theUnion Starwas a crew of five, and three members of the captain's family. A helicopter had been unable to rescue them and so the lifeboat with its crew of eight men went alongside. After several attempts four people managed to jump across;[9]the captain's family and one of the men were apparently safe. The lifeboat radioed that 'we’ve got four off'; that was the last ever heard from anyone on either vessel.[10]

Lifeboats were summoned fromSennen Cove,The LizardandSt Mary'sto try to help their colleagues from Penlee. The Sennen Cove Lifeboat found it impossible to make headway roundLand's End.The Lizard Lifeboat found a serious hole in its hull when it finally returned to its slipway after a fruitless search. Wreckage from theSolomon Brownewas found along the shore, and theUnion Starlay capsized onto the rocks west ofTater Du Lighthouse.Some, but not all, of the 16 bodies were eventually recovered.

Within a day of the disaster enough people from Mousehole had volunteered to form a new lifeboat crew.[10]The disaster prompted a massive public appeal for the benefit of the village of Mousehole which raised over£3 million (£14.5 million as of 2023), although there was an outcry when the government tried to tax the donations.[10][11]

The move to Newlyn

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The crew facilities in use at Newlyn Harbour 1983—2019

After the loss of theSolomon Browne,the Penlee Point station remained in use until 1983 when theMabel Alice,larger, fasterArun-classall-weather lifeboat (ALB) was acquired, and a new lifeboat station constructed at Newlyn harbour, where the new lifeboat is kept afloat at a mooring.[12]Despite the move, the station continues to be known as 'Penlee'. The original building of 1983 was replaced by a new one in 2019.[13]

AD-classinshore lifeboat (ILB) was stationed on the opposite side of Mount's Bay atMarazion(although it was actually kept atSt Michael's Mount) in 1991. It proved difficult to find enough volunteer crews in this small village, so the station was closed in 2001 and a largerB-classboat was added to the complement at Penlee, with a new boathouse built to house it. The following year a new pontoon was built in Newlyn harbour so that crews could board the ALB more easily.[4]

Buildings

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The boathouse at Penlee Point

The boathouse at Penlee Point is built into the cliffs below the Newlyn to Mousehole road. It is a single-storey building with a short slipway. It launched boats intoMount's BayfacingSt Michael's Mount.Although no boat is now stationed here, the boathouse is still maintained and a small memorial garden has been created on the north side of the boathouse where people can sit and remember the crew of theSolomon Browne.[4]In 2023 the boathouse, slipway, memorial garden, retaining and boundary walls were designated together a Grade IIlisted building.As well as architectural interest the reasons for designation cited the association with theSolomon Browne.[14]

New facilities at Newlyn were brought into use in the summer of 2019. The two-storey building includes a crew room, changing area and training room. There is also a workshop and office. An area is available for visitor engagement. It is situated on the harbourside above the walkway to the pontoon where the lifeboat is moored.[13]

Area of operation

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Penlee'sSevern-classlifeboat has an operating range of 250 nautical miles (460 km) and a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h), enabling it to reach any casualty up to 50 miles (80 km), and within two hours in good weather. The station also operates anAtlantic 85) inshore lifeboat (ILB).[15]Adjacent lifeboats are atThe Lizardto the east, andSennen Coveto the west.[16]

Service awards

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Gold and silver medals awarded posthumusly to the crew

CoxswainTrevelyan Richards was posthumously awarded theRNLI gold medalafter the disaster in 1981, while the remainder of the crew (James Madron, Nigel Brockman, John Blewett, Charles Greenhaugh, Kevin Smith, Barrie Torrie and Gary Wallis) were all posthumously awarded bronze medals. The station itself was awarded a gold medal service plaque.[17]

In 1936, Coxswain Frank Blewitt was awarded aRNLI bronze medalfor rescuing the crew of nine from the SSTaycraigafter it ran aground in Mount's Bay during a gale.[18]Coxswain Edwin Madron received a silver medal and Mechanic Johny Drew a bronze medal for another exceptional service in April 1947. They took theW and Sout into 30 feet (9.1 m) seas to rescue eight people fromHMSWarspite(03)which ran aground on the way to the breakers yard after it had been retired at the end of theSecond World War.Madron was the subject ofThis Is Your Lifein 1957 when he was surprised byEamonn Andrewsat a theatre in London. In the introduction the audience was told that although Madron 'has snatched so many lives from the cruel sea, that same sea has claimed his father and son'. He was told that the programme was dedicated 'as a tribute not only to you but to the thousands who man the lifeboats of Britain.'[19][20]

In January 1975, theSolomon Brownewas launched into a Force 12 hurricane when it was reported that the 13 crew members of theMVLovathad abandoned ship 24 miles (39 km) south west ofLizard Point.A helicopter saved two people but the rest were drowned. The lifeboat had to drop the safety rails around its deck so that the bodies could be hauled out of the sea, all while the boat was rolling side-to-side at 60˚ and the seas were washing across the boat. They were at sea for nearly eight hours. The coxswain, Trevelyan Richards, was awarded a RNLI bronze medal.[10][21]

On 16 December 1994, theMabel Aliceand the Sennen Cove Lifeboat were launched to the aid of theJulian Paulwhich was adrift in a storm west of theLongships.The fishing boat's propeller had been fouled and she was towed back to Newlyn harbour. Neil Brockman, the Coxswain/Mechanic of the Penlee Lifeboat, was awarded a RNLI bronze medal for his seamanship, leadership and meritorious conduct, as was Terry George, his counterpart from Sennen Cove.[22]Brockman was later presented with a 'Framed letter of thanks from the Chairman' for leading the rescue of an injured sailor from a French tanker in high seas on 21 December 1999.[23]

The French trawlerSt Simeongot into trouble in a storm on 15 February 1985. Lifeboat coxswain Kenneth Thomas was presented with the 'Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum' for attending to the vessel.[24]

Lifeboats

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  • 17-36Ivan Ellen
  • B-893Mollie and Ivor Dent
At station ON Op. No. Name Built Class Comments
1908–1922 424 – Elizabeth and Blanche 1899 Watson Pulling and sailing lifeboat. Moved from Penzance to Newlyn in 1908 and then to Penlee in 1913. It performed the first launch from Penlee on 25 October 1913. Sold 1922 and last reported in use as a yacht atFalmouthin 1969.[5][25]
1922–1930 671 – The Brothers 1922 Watson Single engine, transferred toFalmouthand sold in 1952. Reported working as a dive support boat atDoverin 2007. Transferred from aRochesterboatyard toGweekfor restoration in 2020 but is now believed to have been broken up.[26][27][28]
1930–1960 736 – W and S 1930 Watson Twin engines. Sold in 1970 and converted to a motor yacht atCarrickfergusbut moved toFalmouthin 2000 before being laid up atMylor.In 2013 it was sold and moved toHarwichfor restoration.[26][29][30]
1960–1981 954 – Solomon Browne 1960 Watson Wrecked in service.[31][32]
1981 987 70-001 Charles H. Barrett (Civil Service No. 35) 1965 Clyde Relief lifeboat.[33]
1981–1982 866 – Charles Henry Ashley 1949 Watson New toPorthdinllaen,sold 1986 and last reported as pleasure boatCharles Ashleyin France.[33][34]
1982–1983 926 – Guy and Clare Hunter 1954 Watson Previously atSt Mary'sand Fowey, transferred toPadstow;sold in 1988 and reported working as a pleasure boat atDonaghadeein 2008.[35][33][36]
1983–2003 1085 52-24 Mabel Alice 1982 Arun Sold in 2004 and later reported to be a pilot boat inChile.[37][38]
2003 1086 52-25 A.J.R. & L.G. Uridge 1983 Arun Sold for further use as lifeboatHebeatKemi,Finland, until 2019 and later reported to be in Estonia.[38]
2003– 1265 17-36 Ivan Ellen Severn [39]

Inshore lifeboats

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At Penlee Op. No. Name New Class Model Comments
2001–2002 B-753 City of Bradford V 1999 B Atlantic 75 [40]
2002–2016 B-787 Paul Alexander 2002 B Atlantic 75 Later stationed atWeston-super-Mare.[40]
2016– B-893 Mollie & Ivor Dent 2005 B Atlantic 85 [41]

See also

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References

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  1. ^Leach, Nicholas (2006) [2000].Cornwall's Lifeboat Heritage.Chacewater: Twelveheads Press. pp. 4–5.ISBN0-906294-43-6.
  2. ^"Provincial Occurrences".New Monthly Magazine.July 1824. p. 322.Archivedfrom the original on 15 January 2013.Retrieved27 December2012.
  3. ^Leach 2006,p. 8.
  4. ^abcLeach 2006,pp. 41–42.
  5. ^abcCampey, Rachael (2017).Penlee Lifeboat Station.Royal National Lifeboat Institution. pp. 66–68.
  6. ^Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024).Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024.Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 106.
  7. ^Mitchell, Peter (4 July 2007)."The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster".Submerged.Retrieved2 December2010.
  8. ^"Lifeboat crew missing after mission".On this day.BBC. 20 December 1981.Archivedfrom the original on 27 December 2010.Retrieved2 December2010.
  9. ^"Solomon Browne history".BBC. 27 September 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 12 April 2015.Retrieved3 December2010.
  10. ^abcdKipling, Ray; Kipling, Susannah (2006).Never Turn Back.Stroud: Sutton Publishing. pp. 49–57.ISBN0-7509-4307-6.
  11. ^"Penlee's station history".RNLI.Retrieved16 August2024.
  12. ^Leonard & Denton 2024,p. 115.
  13. ^ab"Penlee RNLI are given the keys to their new lifeboat station".RNLI.Retrieved22 August2024.
  14. ^"Former Penlee Point lifeboat house, slipway, retaining and boundary walls, and memorial garden, Penzance - 1481300 | Historic England".historicengland.org.uk.Retrieved5 April2023.
  15. ^Wake-Walker, Edward (2008).The Lifeboats Story.Stroud: Sutton Publishing. pp. 69–70.ISBN978-0-7509-4858-6.
  16. ^Leach 2006,pp. 26–27.
  17. ^Leach 2006,pp. 32–33.
  18. ^Campey 2017,pp. 74–77.
  19. ^Campey 2017,pp. 26–31.
  20. ^Ewens, Graeme (2021).The Life of a Boat.Buku Press. pp. 166–167.ISBN978-0-9523655-3-2.
  21. ^Campey 2017,pp. 109–110.
  22. ^Campey 2017,pp. 168–169.
  23. ^Campey 2017,p. 147.
  24. ^Campey 2017,p. 105.
  25. ^Leonard & Denton 2024,pp. 18–19.
  26. ^abCampey 2017,pp. 70–77.
  27. ^Martin, Greg (1 October 2020). "Historic lifeboat rescued from being scrapped returns home to Cornwall".The Cornishman.p. 3.
  28. ^Leonard & Denton 2024,pp. 28–29.
  29. ^Ewens 2021,pp. 187–219.
  30. ^Leonard & Denton 2024,pp. 32–33.
  31. ^Campey 2017,pp. 97–100.
  32. ^Leonard & Denton 2024,pp. 42–43.
  33. ^abcCampey 2017,p. 154.
  34. ^Leonard & Denton 2024,pp. 38–39.
  35. ^Ewens 2021,p. 196.
  36. ^Leonard & Denton 2024,pp. 40–41.
  37. ^Campey 2017,pp. 153–159.
  38. ^abLeonard & Denton 2024,pp. 48–49.
  39. ^Leonard & Denton 2024,p. 56.
  40. ^abLeonard & Denton 2024,pp. 68–69.
  41. ^Leonard & Denton 2024,p. 71.
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