Embedded Files
I was trying to date an old photo of St Enodoc to get an idea of when they were still mining in Trebetherick. You can just see the chimney of an engine house to the left of St Enodoc's spire. It is referenced in "Mines and Miners of Cornwall" by A. K. Hamilton Jenkin, as a small lead mine called Trewiston. Not much is known of it except that in 1875 a sett was granted of three fields called Lower, Inner and Middle Hobby-house numbered 640-642 on the St Minver tithe map.
Visiting the graves the other day I realised that the grave in the bottom left is that of one of the crew from The Peace and Plenty that sunk in 1900. The story is much sadder than the single grave that helps date the engine house. Indeed its impact on the local community must have been felt for many years.
On the evening of April 11, 1900, the Peace and Plenty of Lowestoft struck the Greenaway Rocks. Five of her crew were rescued by the Trebetherick Rocket Brigade, but three drowned.
The Padstow pulling lifeboat, Arab, was launched at about 8:30 pm. This was a self-righting boat rowed with oars but it was struck by a massive wave that completely submerged it and washed eight of the crew overboard and broke or washed away all ten oars. The crew managed to get back aboard, but without oars, the Arab was helpless and adrift.
After remaining at anchor for about an hour and using handlights to signal their distress, the crew of the Arab decided to try to reach the shore because no help came. By keeping the boat head to the sea and using the anchor cable to control their movement, they managed to get beyond the heaviest breakers and jump ashore as the Arab was wrecked on the Greenaway rocks.
As this drama was unfolding the Padstow steam lifeboat, James Stevens No. 4, was launched at about 9:30 p.m. but was hit by another massive wave and completely turned over. The second coxswain, Oscar French, had no idea the boat had turned over, but thought they were passing through the sea but when he came to the surface, he found the lifeboat upside down with the propeller still turning.
He was one of only three who survived and eight crew drowned.
After the disaster the Arab was replaced by another larger self-righting lifeboat with the same name. And a second, larger self-righting lifeboat, the Edmund Harvey, replaced the wrecked steam lifeboat.
Operating systems were of course changed and a tug built to tow the pulling and sailing lifeboats out to sea to save on long rows or sails from the lifeboat station.
An old photo I've published before with reference to the building of the golf club but you can see the new grave of Charles Chapman who drowned with the Peace and Plenty in 1900 in the bottom left side of the graveyard. You can also see the tall chimney of the mine engine beyond. This must be Trewiston Mine on the road between Trebetherick and Trewint and for which we have little information.
Charles W. Chapman, one of the 8 man crew of the Peace and Plenty of Lowestoft, drowned at Trebetherick April 11th 1900 aged 20 years. Two other of the crew were drowned but 5 were saved by the Trebetherick Rocket Brigade. 8 Padstow men drowned in one of the lifeboats sent out to save them but the lifeboat crew of the Arab 1 all survived their boat being wrecked on Greenaway.
On November 12th, 1911 the Arab No. 2 lifeboat was called to help the Island Maid and the Angele, both in difficulties at the same time. Six men were rescued from the Island Maid when she struck the Doom Bar. Then the Arab set sail again as the Angele struck, but the lifeboat crew, fatigued, could not reach her and a volunteer crew took over. They saved the Angele's captain, but the crew were drowned. Later, four bodies were recovered and buried in St Enodoc churchyard. Not sure where the grave is
The wrecked life-boat Arab presumably a few days after April 11, 1900. In the background the wreck of the Peace and Plenty.
3 of the crew of the Peace and Plenty drowned when the ketch struck the Greenaway Rocks but 5 were saved by the Trebetherick Rocket Brigade.
8 crew members of the Padstow steam lifeboat, James Stevens No. 4, drowned when it capsized shortly after leaving harbour but amazinly none of the crew of the Arab drowned after it finally washed ashore on Trebetherick Point seen here.
In comparison: in the 1981 Penlee Lifeboat Disaster 8 of the Solomon Browne lifeboat crew were lost & 8 of the Union Star crew and passengers lost too who they were trying to save. There were no survivors from either vessel
There is a large memorial cross in the Padstow cemetry in memory of the men lost and it must have been a massive loss for such a small community.
As is often the case with such disasters, many died trying to save a few.
A reader shared this poem which considers the plight of the widows and children.
The Wreck of the Padstow Lifeboats
(A plea for the widows and orphans)
"Twas night on the coast of Cornwall. and fiercely raged the deep, When rockets sped through the startled air. and banished thoughts of sleep.
And forth to the sailor's rescue the gallant Lifeboats went: Straight out to the awful Bar of Doom, on Duty's call intent.
But there came a cry at midnight that thrilled though 'one and all, The boats are wrecked, I heard them say, "They are gone beyond recall.
"Too true, too me' from Camel's banks went up the woeful cry, For husband, father, brother, friend, who went to do - and die.
Alas! They're gone, those strong, brave men!
They yet proved their 'greater love, and better than wreaths of laurel are the crowns they wear above.
But they've left the world a legacy of helpless children and wives; Now the sea hath claimed its victims, in the shape of their loved ones lives,
Help them, oh men of England who dwell in this sea-girt isle: and know the meaning of shipwreck, with its peril and trial.
Help for the widows and orphans Bereft by the cruel sea, and know "in as much as ye do it, ye do it unto me.
But England is proud of her sailors, I need not appeal again, She is always ready and willing to help, Such a call is never in vain.
Rest then, ye Lifeboat heroes! By us shall your children be fed. We'll not be ashamed to meet you when the sea gives up its dead.
Comfort, ye widows so lonely! Our prayers shall rise for you, That through toil, and pain, and sorrow Our God shall help you through. See less
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