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.
Solomon Browne
Seth Lakeman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was such a raging storm, no man could speak
That lifeboat thundered through an angry sea
Was called Solomon Browne and her company
With courage, it was called
On our heroes brave and bold
With courage, it was cold
Now the stricken coaster called the Union Star
Her maiden voyage, she never thought that far
With Captain Moreton and his four man crew
A woman to save and her daughters two
Now, never had a lifeboat fought in vain
She could have made a dash for port but she tried again
All sixteen perished in that mighty wave
It tossed them overboard into a watery grave
With courage, it was called
On our heroes brave and bold
With courage, it was cold
On board that night
Now back at Penlee Point, time stood still
Twelve young children cried for their fathers killed
A nation shed tears for years as the news went round
The constant courage of our Solomon Browne.
With courage, it was called
On our heroes brave and bold
With courage, it was cold
On board that night
With courage, it was called
On our heroes brave and bold
With courage, it was cold
Seth Lakeman’s song “Solomon Browne” tells the story of a tragic event that happened in Mount’s Bay, Cornwall in 1981, when the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne was lost at sea. The lyrics describe a raging storm that no man could speak about, and the bravery and heroism of the lifeboat crew, who set out to rescue the crew of the stricken coaster, Union Star. The lifeboat was called Solomon Browne, and her company was brave and bold.
Despite the danger and the brutal conditions, the lifeboat attempted to save the crew of the Union Star, which had a woman and her two daughters on board. The song recounts that the lifeboat could have made a dash for port, but instead, they tried again to rescue those on the Coaster. Unfortunately, all sixteen people perished in the mighty wave that tossed them overboard. The tragedy devastated the community, particularly the families of the twelve crew members who lost their lives. The final lines of the song reflect the sense of loss and mourning that followed the event, as the nation cried for their heroes brave and bold.
The song’s haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics have made it a classic and a testament to the courage and selflessness of the lifeboat crew. The tragedy has become part of the folklore of Cornwall, and the story of the Solomon Browne is remembered and celebrated to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
At fair Mount's Bay, on that Christmas week
The event occurred during a winter storm
Was such a raging storm, no man could speak
The storm was too intense for words
That lifeboat thundered through an angry sea
The lifeboat fought its way through the rough waves
Was called Solomon Browne and her company
The name of the lifeboat and its crew
With courage, it was called
The bravery of the crew
On our heroes brave and bold
Recognizing the bravery of the crew
With courage, it was cold
Despite the harsh conditions, the crew remained brave
On board that night
The events took place during one night
Now the stricken coaster called the Union Star
Referring to the ship in distress
Her maiden voyage, she never thought that far
It was the ship's first voyage and it did not anticipate such a disaster
With Captain Moreton and his four man crew
The name of the captain and his crew
A woman to save and her daughters two
There were three people to be rescued
Now, never had a lifeboat fought in vain
The lifeboat always attempted to rescue those in need
She could have made a dash for port but she tried again
The lifeboat could have retreated, but instead made another attempt
All sixteen perished in that mighty wave
Sadly, all of them lost their lives
It tossed them overboard into a watery grave
The harsh wave caused them to fall into the water and they drowned
Now back at Penlee Point, time stood still
Referring to the location where the lifeboat was based
Twelve young children cried for their fathers killed
The tragedy left many families grieving
A nation shed tears for years as the news went round
The public mourned the loss of life
The constant courage of our Solomon Browne.
The bravery of the lifeboat and its crew
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SETH LAKEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adrian Elliott
35 years now...still raw, still in our hearts..never forgotten #Kernow
Macilmoyle
@Laura Kissinger https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penlee_lifeboat_disaster
Laura Kissinger
Did he pass away?
Mark Chennells
Such a beautiful setting for a concert. Wonderful. Thank you for uploading xxx
linda law
Now 37 years ago and like any who give their life for others ....
we should never forget their sacrifice xxx
Well done and so well delivered as usual by Seth and band xxx
Mark Portwood
This should have thousands of likes.
Sam Elliott
We will remember them.
Jim Cook
Very poignant setting... The Soloman Browne and Union Star were wrecked a few miles away from The Minack.
Beth Middleton
Seth sang this for me
Beezlbob Destraint
The opening... wow...