Loss of MV Darlwyne

MV Darlwyne was a pleasure cruiser, a converted Royal Navy picket boat, which disappeared off the Cornish coast on 31 July 1966 with a crew of two and 29 passengers, including eight children. Twelve bodies and a few artefacts were later recovered, but the majority of the victims were never found.

Built in 1941, after ending its naval service in 1957 Darlwyne underwent considerable structural alteration, including the removal of its original watertight bulkheads and the conversion of its aft cabin into a large open cockpit. These changes adversely affected its seaworthiness. Surveyors' reports in 1964 and 1966 indicated that Darlwyne was unfit for work in the open sea; furthermore, it carried no radio or distress flares, and its lifesaving aids were rudimetary.

The fatal voyage was arranged when the boat's skipper Brian Bown agreed to take a group of guests from the Greatwood guest house in Mylor, on a sea trip to Fowey. On the morning of 31 July the outward voyage was completed without mishap, but the weather subsequently deteriorated. Bown disregarded advice to remain in Fowey harbour, and shortly after 4.00 pm began the return trip to Mylor. An unconfirmed sighting at around 6.00 pm placed the boat, in worsening conditions, in the vicinity of Dodman Point, a prominent coastal landmark. Following its non-arrival at Mylor the alarm was raised early on 1 August, and full air and sea searches began at dawn. After the recovery of the twelve bodies, operations continued intermittently for several months, without result.

A Board of Trade enquiry into Darlwyne's loss placed the main blame on Barratt and Bown for allowing the vessel to go to sea in an unsafe and unprepared condition. Bown was lost in the disaster; Barratt was censured and ordered to contribute £500 to the cost of the enquiry. Concerns were also raised about the vessel's lack of licences to carry passengers, and the general laxity with which licensing regulations were being administered. It was decided, however, not to instigate criminal proceedings against Barratt or anyone else. In April 1967 a memorial screen, listing the names of the 31 dead, was dedicated in Mylor church at a special service led by the Bishop of Truro. In 2016, on the 50th anniversary of the sinking, divers found an anchor and other debris at a location close to Dodman Point, which they claimed were in all probability relics of the Darlwyne.

...
Wikipedia