19/12/2025
🙏RIP🙏 The Lost Brave Souls of The Solomon Browne.
Thank you all courageous RNLI volunteers for your service. 🙏
On 19 December 1981, the Penlee Lifeboat was lost with all hands while attempting to rescue those aboard the coaster Union Star after its engines failed in severe seas.
The lifeboat Solomon Browne, a 47ft Watson Class vessel, launched at 8.12pm crewed by eight RNLI volunteers: Coxswain Trevelyan Richards; Second Coxswain and Mechanic Stephen Madron; Assistant Mechanic Nigel Brockman; Emergency Mechanic John Blewett; and crew members Charlie Greenhaugh, Kevin Smith, Barrie Torrie and Gary Wallis.
After several attempts to get alongside the drifting vessel, the lifeboat radioed the words “we’ve got four off”. It was the last message ever heard from either vessel. Sixteen people lost their lives, including all eight lifeboatmen.
The pilot of the rescue helicopter later described the rescue attempt as “the greatest act of courage” he had ever witnessed.
This evening, the Mount will be lit in gold in their memory, before going dark as a mark of respect; honouring their extraordinary courage, selflessness and sacrifice.
