The first thing that happened after the lifeboat was lost was that new volunteers came forward

Mike Saga-Fenton RNLI

Another eight people were lost from the Union Star, including four taken off the vessel by the lifeboat.

On Wednesday, families of the lifeboat crew laid a wreath at sea to mark the anniversary.

The Union Star had eight people on board and was on her maiden voyage. She reported engine failure, eight miles east of Wolf Rock Lighthouse.

The weather conditions were amongst the worst ever seen, with winds at hurricane force 12, gusts of up to 95mph, and waves about 60 feet tall.

The conditions were so poor that a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter was unable to lift off any of the coaster's crew, despite many attempts.

As the seas drove the Union Star towards the cliffs, the lifeboat crew of the Solomon Browne repeatedly came alongside the coaster attempting to rescue those on board.

Volunteers still queue to operate the lifeboat

The last message from the lifeboat confirmed that four people had been rescued.

There was no further radio contact with the lifeboat, but her lights were seen to disappear 10 minutes later.

At about the same time, the Union Star was overwhelmed and laid on her side to the west of Tater-du Lighthouse.

The current Penlee Lifeboat coxswain Neil Brockman, 37, lost his father in the tragedy.

Nigel Brockman died working as assistant mechanic on the Solomon Browne.

Neil Brockman said: "I don't think anyone will know exactly what happened. They took four off, which was a hell of a job to do.

"You do not need anniversaries to remember them, it just brings it home a little bit. Sometimes it seems like yesterday," he said.

Lifeboat values

Penlee Lifeboat currently has 23 volunteers and Mike Saga-Fenton from the RNLI said that people still queue up to do it.

He said: "The first thing that happened after the lifeboat was lost was that new volunteers came forward. They couldn't bear to be without a lifeboat here."

However, in bad conditions no two members of the same family go out on a call.

On Wednesday night, the Christmas lights at Mousehole will be switched off for an hour in memory of those lost.