Solomon Browne Lyrics

This song was written in memory of the 16 people killed in the Penlee lifeboat disaster of 19 December 1981. On 19 December 1981 the Union Star was on its maiden voyage from the Netherlands to Arklow in Ireland carrying a load of fertilizer. On board was a crew of five led by Captain Henry Morton, who was also joined on board by his wife and two teenage daughters traveling home for Christmas. The Union Star developed engine failure eight miles east of the Wolf Rock, on the southern coast of Cornwall. She was unable to start her engines and her fuel supply became contaminated with sea water. The weather also began to quickly worsen and a distress signal was sent out to the Falmouth Coastguard. The lifeboat "Solomon Browne", crewed by eight men from the village of Mousehole, was launched in 80mph winds. All of its crew were experienced seamen, chosen from 12 volunteers. Only one man from each family was boarded, due to the treacherous conditions. The Union Star was being driven close to rocky sea cliffs and the "Solomon Browne" made several attempts to get alongside. In mountainous seas, with the swell over 50ft (15m) high, four of the Union Star’s crew were retrieved before the Solomon Browne was forced to turn away. The lifeboat returned for the remaining four crew members; this proved fatal. From that point, no more was seen of the Solomon Browne, nor heard from her radio. As there were no eye witnesses there is a matter of conjecture regarding the fate of her and her passengers.