Penlee Lifeboat disaster documentary

[Mukes]

Just got spammed by the RNLI:


Tune in to BBC1 on Tuesday, 1 August at 10.35pm for Cruel Sea, the documentary of a lifeboat disaster that touched a nation.

On 19 December 1981 the Penlee lifeboat, Solomon Browne, was lost with all her volunteer crew and the four souls they had rescued from the stricken freighter Union Star. The RNLI crew launched in hurricane winds and 20m waves to rescue those on board but no one survived. In all, 16 lives were lost that night.

The RNLI opened its archives to assist the BBC in producing a comprehensive account of that tragic night. The film features archive footage, original VHF radio transmissions, eye-witness accounts and family members, to tell a story which typifies the selfless commitment of RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews. Cruel Sea is a fitting tribute to all RNLI crews who stand ready, 24 hours a day, to answer the call to save lives at sea.

[ShipsWoofy]

I remember sending my Christmas money to the fund. I was 11 at the time. I found it really upsetting especially so as it was so close to Christmas.

[MoodyNick]

i was living in Penzance at the time, and several of our college staff were involve in the searach - will never forget the gloom.

i don't understand why they are showing this programme now, though. would seem more sensible to wait until the 25th anniversay in December.

[jhr]

[ QUOTE ]
would seem more sensible to wait until the 25th anniversay in December.

[/ QUOTE ] Undoubtedly, but at that time of year our screens will be full of PopXStarFactorBrotherSwap and there won't be room for a programme about Penlee.

My old man (ex RN) was on a ferry crossing from Cherbourg to Pompey that night and said he never wanted to see seas like that again.

There's a very moving passage in Libby Purves' "One Summer's Grace" about the Penlee Memorial, which I shall get out and read on 19th December.

[milltech]

There is a remarkable small book written by Michael Sagar-Fenton called, "Penlee - The loss of a lifeboat". Very well written, very moving, but don't read it just before going to a party. It is both gripping and sad beyond words. Tends to be found for sale in West Country bookshops in seaside towns.

I have been asked if I would allow Baltic Air to go to the commemoration in December, she's the sister ship of the Solomon Browne. I said OK but I don't think I'll be aboard. December is not my cruising weather.

[boatbuilder]

I'm not sure as I havent got nextweeks radio times but the beeb are doing a lot of stuff on the sea next week. A program about trawlers and one on mackrel liners in this area. Perhaps that is part of it.

[starboard]

Yea looks good, every evening at 1900 all week, should be worth a look........as for the Penlee disaster the new boat that replaced the lost Penlee lifeboat ( an Arrun class Lifeboat) has now been sold out of the RNLI and is being used as the Strathclyde Police launch here on the Clyde.

Paul.