RNLI Penlee Appeals for Help Restoring Warspite Bench in Morrab Gardens

Vandals Damage Historic Warspite Bench in Penzance

A historic bench in Morrab Gardens linked to one of the Penlee lifeboat’s most remarkable rescues has been vandalised, and volunteers are now being sought to help restore it.

The teak bench, known as the “Warspite bench”, was made from wood brought ashore from HMS Warspite when the famous battleship was broken up on Marazion Beach in the early 1950s. It commemorates a dramatic lifeboat rescue carried out by the Penlee crew.

Now, the RNLI at Penlee is asking for the voluntary help of a joiner to repair the bench so it can once again take pride of place in the gardens.

Morrab Gardens head gardener Joe Palmese, Cornwall Council and the Friends of Morrab Gardens are working with the RNLI to restore the bench following the recent damage.

Anyone able to help with the restoration is being asked to contact Penlee Deputy Launch Authority Trevor Thorne via email at [email protected].

The story behind the Warspite bench

HMS Warspite had an illustrious history following her launch at Devonport on 26th November 1913. The battleship survived two world wars and took part in major actions including Jutland, D-Day, Narvik and Cape Matapan.

By 1946 her service had come to an end and the Admiralty approved plans for the vessel to be scrapped. Warspite was sold to Metal Industries, a ship breaker based in Scotland, with plans to tow the ship from Portsmouth to Faslane using two tugs.

On 19th April 1947 the battleship left Portsmouth for the Clyde. Three days later, on 22nd April, she lost one of her tows in heavy seas about 15 miles off Land’s End. The decision was made to shelter from the storm in Mount’s Bay.

The following day, 23rd April, Warspite ran aground off Cudden Point.

A daring lifeboat rescue

Penlee Lifeboat coxswain Edwin (Eddie) Madron and his crew launched aboard the Penlee Lifeboat W&S in a south westerly gale and rough seas to rescue the skeleton crew of eight from the stranded battleship.

With people watching from the cliffs above, Eddie brought the lifeboat alongside the Warspite and got two lines aboard the vessel. By skilful use of the engines he held the lifeboat in position while the eight men jumped across one by one.

The rescue took place in 25 foot breaking seas, with the men timing their jumps as the lifeboat rose level with the battleship’s deck.

Warspite’s Captain Baxter later said:

“We should never have got off but for the skill of the lifeboatmen. They knew their job.”

For their roles in the rescue, Eddie was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal and mechanic Jonny Drew received the RNLI Bronze Medal.

Call for a joiner to help

With the bench now damaged, the RNLI and partners hope to restore it so visitors to Morrab Gardens can continue to remember the historic rescue.

Any joiner who can spare time to assist with the restoration is invited to contact Trevor Thorne at [email protected] for further information.