EMPTY SHOES Documentary Penlee Disater A personal recollection of the Penlee lifeboat Disaster

[@christophermadge7838]

This brings back such sad memories, i was roughly 10 miles from the penlee disaster, on MS Condor, a dutch registered coaster the same size as the union star, the waves were massive, the wind was unreal, the next day in Rotterdam we moored alongiside the union mars and on board her, we raised a glass in memory of the desaster.. RIP you brave men.

[@scammelljones6545]

Proper no frills ,kindness ,bravery just doing what’s right .... we need more people like Nigel s sort in everyday life today ... great film

[@jedtrewin7083]

We certainly do

[@richardcummins5465]

Absolutely heartbreaking. I'll never forget the Solomon Brown or the Union Star and all who perished that night.

[@richardgiles2484]

I had only joined the RNLI as a crew member in 1980, having never been on a boat before, and this really hit home to me 😢

[@biggerthanacadillac]

One of the most sincere & moving films I've EVER watched.

[@jedtrewin7083]

Thanks so much your comments are a credit to Martin and his family. jed

[@DebbieSeaKay]

Brave men true and Heroes One and All. 40 years ago tonight. I remember that night - living on Tregonning Hill we watched the SAR helicopters going over the bay and my Navy husband set up his telescope - and we saw those mountainous waves that brave men in the lifeboats had to traverse. Tonight here in Cornwall at 8pm we will all be switching off our Christmas lights for an hour, and lighting candles in our windows, for those brave souls lost that night. Never forgotten.

[@keithburgess5034]

I've lit a candle too. A tiny pinprick of flame struggling to burn. Looking at that in the dark brings it home even more.

[@tonystark1180]

This is such a beautiful and poignant film, and Nigel's recollections of that night, 40 years ago, are so moving to listen to. RIP all those lost that night.

[@borleyboo5613]

So terribly sad. I know that area where it all happened fairly well, and it must have been bloody terrifying for those men. In the dark with 60ft waves and hurricane force winds. And the rocks! Oh, the rocks are treacherous. A deadly trap waiting for any poor boat getting too close. May they all, the crew of the Solomon Brown and the Union Star Rest in Eternal Peace.

[@washerhead1]

There's always so much more to a story than is given , the personal details, the untold dimension, the first hand encounters that bring those moments to bare, thankyou for sharing your very personal experience Nigel, you and all the boat men and women have my upmost respect, and I thank you for all that you gave on that night, and every time that you answered the call.

[@jedtrewin7083]

I agree

[@marqshir]

Good tribute to the tragic events of that night , the 8 won't be forgotten of the Solomon Browne and all the families it affected and people of Mousehole .

[@natureisallpowerful]

Very sad. To all who perished that night, will always be remembered ❤

[@weirdweld1227]

What a lovely man and eye watering recollection of a a tragic day

[@jedtrewin7083]

Thanks for watching much appreciated

[@berniecoles2337]

The bravest of the brave gave the ultimate sacrifice that night. They may be gone but they’ll never be forgotten. God bless the lifeboatmen of the Solomon Brown, each and every one of them.😢

[@stephenbone7034]

I would like to think that I was fairly brave being a fireman in London,but these boys and all RNLI are something else,deep respect for them

[@pkrMergy]

Never knew you & Pedro were on the boat by my username Nigel you won`t remember me , but you were one of my college lecturers in 1985 as this wet behind the ears kid went aboard Deep Harmony (Keith Terry & me ) Mark always remember the date & reflect on all fishermen that are lost & especially those who willingly go to save others I always donate to R.N.L.I without thought

[@timbutler2003]

Nigel, so good to see you. A very very good man. So many happy memories

[@paulmahy]

Glad he mentioned the Mark, RIP all mariners lost.

[@tungstenkid2271]

The U Star captain goofed by refusing a tow when he was 8 miles offshore because his shipping company would have had to pay for it. Since then the rules have been changed to allow the coastguard to order a tow regardless of whether the captains want one or not.

[@richardcummins5465]

Quite right too. Too much responsibility for the skipper.

[@homegrownpa]

Really enjoyed that, a real story by a real person.

[@DogmanBarrance]

What a moving film! Huge respect to Nigel and all involved with the RNLI, especially the brave crews. I didn't know about the loss of MV Mark 🇵🇦 on that same terrible night. Does anyone know anymore about MV Mark? Ships shouldn't be out in hurricanes! Lives are worth far more than profit! The MV Bonita was lost off the Channel Islands just days before the Penlee lifeboat disaster, fortunately most were saved from the Bonita in another incredible rescue effort. 24 lives were lost in the space of a week from 3 separate merchant ships, and the Solomon Browne. Rest in peace brave seafarers ✝️

[@jedtrewin7083]

Thanks for your comments

[@soniaalexander]

Thank you, cousin Nigel.

[@TheBuckspygmy]

I am crying watching that.

[@whengrandparentsdoelfonthe948]

This is great.. keep well Nigel and family.. loved going out on your boat when visiting Jen x

[@nickclarke4236]

I was in mullions coastguard hut on the night it happened took the old man some sarnies and soup we lived along the cliff from mullion coastguard hut so me and shep often went when derek was on duty it was fraught with tension radios from Falmouth mullion lizard lifeboats ships in the bay foreign language coming over as well it was active then silence then the news came over about loss I cried all the way home staring across the bay hoping it was wrong

[@jedtrewin7083]

Thanks for your descriptive comments I think a lot of people cried that night

[@DebbieSeaKay]

@@jedtrewin7083 we cried for days

[@nickclarke4236]

Another beauty Jed and Marty

[@drawingonnature2142]

Thank you for sharing that personal account

[@jedtrewin7083]

My pleasure

[@grahamlove759]

Bravest of the brave! Never forgotten

[@rabbitleader2307]

Just wow! Respect.

[@boatingmanchester]

Great channel

[@jedtrewin7083]

Thank you so much your comments are greatly appreciated

[@juliaschofield847]

Weeping again.

[@jedtrewin7083]

I find it very emotional every time I watch it I remember how difficult it was for Nigel to tell the story

[@HeatherMyfanwyTylerGreey]

❤

[@barbarahocking9500]

Modern day Alfred Wallis

[@tungstenkid2271]

The captain of the merchant ship is to blame, he was offered a tow by a tug when his engines seized up 8 miles offshore, but refused it because he and his shipping company would have had to pay for the tow, duh..

[@borleyboo5613]

No! At the conclusion of the enquiry regarding the disaster, the final verdict was that no one was to blame. It was a combination of the terrible weather and mechanical failure on the Union Star. The master of the Union Star was completely exonerated.

[@thegregdavieschannel]

I think the problem really was things went wrong faster than the situations could be assessed.

[@tungstenkid2271]

@@borleyboo5613 The Enquiry quote- "The master of the Union Star was completely exonerated"-unquote......I wonder if the victims relatives would agree with that?..;) PS- in a TV interview the brother {?} of the U Star's captain said he didn't attend a memorial service for the victims because there were already criticisms about the captains refusal of a tow offer and he didn't want to risk getting lynched by the relatives.

[@richardcummins5465]

I think with seas like that , no one is to blame. Imagine the Solomon Brown homeward bound with 4 lives rescued suddenly destroyed by that sheer force. RIP All those souls. ❤