25 Jan 2011 - NCI Cape Cornwall has adopted the grave of Mary Sanderson, renewed her gravestone and will care for it in perpetuity. On the 160th anniversary of her burial on 19 January 1851, a short and poignant rededication service took place at Sennen Parish Church near Lands End to commemorate her life as a symbolic gesture for those who have died and those that help to preserve life along our coastline.

On 11 Jan 1851, the brig New Commercial struck the Brisons by Cape Cornwall during a gale. The ship quickly sank and the captain, Samuel Sanderson, his wife Mary and the crew were swept towards the Brisons by the storm.

Mary and her husband were marooned there for two days and nights despite desperate attempts to save them. A rocket line was eventually fired to the couple and Mary, clad only in her nightdress, leapt into the raging waters and was drawn through them to a rescue boat.

Tragically, before the boat could reach the shore, she succumbed to the rigours of her ordeal and died aged only 34. Her husband Samuel was saved later the same day.