THANKS TO 'WONDERFUL PEOPLE' While on holiday in the Isle of Man in September we visited the Life-boat station at Port Erin. We read the boat's record with great interest, and the members on duty tending the boat were welcoming, and very patient with the questions of our small son, On 9th September we heard at the breakfast table how the boat had been called out at 6 a.m.

The weather was dreadful, and the men went out to help four men in trouble.

That day I waited with many others for the boat to come home. When they rounded the headland, I was shocked at the fight the men were having to get the boat and the two saved men home safely.

I wish to express my admiration of the crews at Port Erin, and to say a personal 'thank you' for the Royal National Life-boat Institution, I do not think I have ever seen such wonderful people, doing a marvellous job, before in my life.—Mrs. Joan Allen, Datchworth Green, Knebworth, Herts.

FOUND AT BLACKPOOL Enclose/! please find two one pound notes. These I picked up in a public place at Blackpool a few weeks ago. I reported the find to the police there and was told that if unclaimed within four weeks they were my property. That was six weeks ago and as no claim has been made I know of no more deserving cause than the life-boat service.

We people living on land—I am an old age pensioner aged 92—do not fully realise the dangers facing your gallant men. We think of you during the stormy weather but one has to see the water during the troublesome time to understand the dangers of the sea. It was certainly troublesome during my visit to Blackpool.—F. W. Brown, Olerenshaw Road, Sheldon, Birmingham 20.

MARITIME TRUST The Maritime Trust was formed at the beginning of this year under the Presidency of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh and the Chairmanship of the Duke of Westminster. Among its aims are the saving and preservation of ships and boats—in fact, all things maritime—in the same way as the National Trust does for buildings and land.

The Trust has already compiled a list of vessels and possible projects for preservation, but this is not yet fully comprehensive, and efforts are still being made to establish what else exists which is worthy of investigation. The Trust has already made a start with actually saving some vessels, and the west country topsail trading schooner Kathleen and May was purchased in June.

How can life-boatmen help the Maritime Trust? Well, by informing it of any ships and boats that exist around the ports, harbours and creeks of their area which might be worth further investigation by the Trust. Examples are early small wooden or iron steamers or coasters, west country sailing luggers, local sailing fishing boats and sailing pilot cutters. In general the Trust would be interested in vessels and craft built before World War I but might also be interested in those built between the wars. The Trust is unlikely to be interested in freaks or vessels of purely sentimental interest.

If any life-boatman knows of, or comes across, anything which might be of interest to the MaritimeTrust it would be of great help if he could send a concise report, including present whereabouts, and name and address of owners, and as much other information about present condition and history, to me.—Captain R. C. C. Greenlees, R.N., Secretary, The Maritime Trust, 53 Davies Street, London, W1Y1FH..