Advent Calendar 19th December Remember the men of the Penlee lifeboat, and the men women and children from the Union Star

I’m in a somber mood tonight, for reasons that are far worse for others. The first Advent calendar I made for NER was in 2008 and while I may have repeated myself over the years I have only posted once about the anniversary of the loss of the Solomon Browne which was the Penlee lifeboat, stationed then at Mousehole in Cornwall, and the Union Star the ship she was trying to save. All the crew of the lifeboat and all the crew and passengers (including the captain’s pregnant wife and her daughters) were lost. 

This should put my minor disappointment of this evening into perspective and stop me feeling sorry for myself. In normal years the village of Mousehole (and other Cornish villages) put up a display of Christmas lights in and around the harbour, which lights are switched off on the evening of the 19th in honour of the lost crew. This year due to the pandemic there are no lights. However I am sure that the men will still be honoured quietly. 

If you want more information this is what I wrote back in 2008. 

The crew and support staff of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution are all unpaid volunteers. They risk their lives to save others from sheer pride in their seamanship and love and feeling of responsibility for their fellow man. I have the upmost respect for the Lifeboat service. 

This is Seth Lakeman singing his tribute.