Ix 1933, when he had been the Insti- tution's consulting naval architect for twenty-nine years, Mr. J. R. Barnett, O.B.E., M.Inst.N.A., published his Modern Motor Life-boats (Blackie, 7,9. 6d.). When he retired in 19-17, after forty-three years as consulting naval architect, and altogether sixty years of work on the design of life- boats, one of the first-fruits of his greater leisure (greater but very far from complete, for at the age of eighty- seven he still does a full day's work) was to bring his book up to date.

In his introduction to the first edition he said: " There is no finality . . .

with further knowledge and experience improvements are introduced when new boats are built." That is still his belief, and how true it is the seventeen years between the two editions have shown. When the first appeared the majority of motor life-boats had single screws and one engine, and so, in case of a breakdown, had to carry full sets of sails. To-day all new boats have twin screws and two engines.

The sails have gone. Seventeen years ago, all life-boats were steered aft.

Early in the last war Mr. Barrett pro- duced a design for a life-boat with the wheel amidships. Now the larger types all have midship-steering. Seventeen years ago the two largest types, the Barnett type named after Mr. Barnett himself, and the Watson type named after his predecessor, had small cabins below deck. Now both those types have as well spacious deck cabins, and wireless rooms, and two other types, the smaller WTatson boat and the beach type, which then had only cockpits, now have cabins as well.

The second edition has been as beautifully produced as the first. It is printed throughout on art paper, and is illustrated with twenty-five photo- graphs and the lines and general plans of all the present-day types of life-boat.

We would quote again what we quoted seventeen years ago, for it shows the spirit in which Mr. Barnett has done his work for the Life-boat Service.

"It is a noble service which a life- boat is intended for, so the design ought to convey a sense of dignity and power, also it should be pleasing to look at, with beauty of proportions and form and even colour." Copies, price 7s. 6rf., can be obtained from the Institution..