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For those of us of a certain age, the village of Mousehole (pronounce Mauzel) will always be associated with night of the 19 December 1981. In hurricane-force winds, the lifeboat Solomon Browne attempted rescue the crew of the cargo ship Union Star. The entire lifeboat crew of eight was lost along with a further eight from the cargo ship.
The old lifeboat station can still be seen on Penlee Point, but its was moved to deep water moorings in Newlyn. However, it continues to be known as the Penlee Lifeboat.
These days Mousehole is a popular tourist destination, and hosts a variety of festivals and community activities.
It is known for its Christmas illuminations but, to this day, every 19 December the lights are turned off in memory of the victims of the disaster.