WHEN I WAS FOUR...

0 My first contribution to the R.N.L.I, was made at the age of approximately 4 years in 1897, this being on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. There was a procession through the town and one of the most interesting features for me was a life-boat with the oars prominently displayed by men wearing their life-boat equipment, which so far as I can recall included life jackets made of pieces of cork fastened together. I have a vague impression the boat was painted blue and white in part at any rate.Apparently the organisers of the parade had arranged for a collection to be taken in support of the Life-boat Institution and a number of men had nets like large landing nets on the end of long poles—I think they were bamboo—to enable them to collect contributions from the individuals who packed the first-floor windows of the shops and offices to see the procession as it proceeded down High Street.

I remember I was very thrilled when one of these men approached the first floor window through which I was privileged to view the procession. I was given what seemed to me to be a large silver coin to drop into the net, and the coin was duly collected in this way. To me at the time the contribution appeared to be a big one and I felt happy about making it because they told me that the men in the lifeboat service were very good and very brave men who saved the lives of people when their boats were sinking or wrecked at sea.—Clifford F. Gothard,* Bearwood House, Burton-on-Trent.

* The writer of this letter is Sir Clifford Gothard, O.B.E., B.SC., F.C.A.

STILL SAILING 0 My wife and I were interested to see the letter from Captain Swift in your January issue in which he makes reference to the New Brighton life-boat, as we are the present owners of the boat which was in service there 1924-1950, the William and Kate Johnston.

We converted this boat to a yacht in 1953 and have had many years of pleasure in her since then, cruising regularly in the west coast area and north and west Brittany. Her name is Jymphany and her home port has been Dartmouth for the past four years and Salcombe before that.

Her vital statistics are 60' x 15', 54 tons, powered by twin Perkins L4(M) diesel engines giving a speed of 8 knots.—L. V. Law, Castle Road, Kingswear, Dartmouth, Devon.BATTLE OF JUTLAND • I am carrying out research for a book about the Battle of Jutland, 31st May-1st June, 1916, and am anxious to contact any person connected with the battle with a view to obtaining their personal experiences. Survivors from any type of ship involved, those connected with the planning of the battle, or any shore-based personnel of whatever category will be of especial interest to me.

I will also be grateful to hear from anyone prepared to lend me any unpublished diaries, letters, photographs or other documents concerning the battle. Any item loaned I guarantee to return within a very short time. If any readers are able to assist me, will they please write in the first instance, giving their name, address and ship or unit to which attached in May and June, 1916. All letters will be answered.—Robert Church, 32 Dorrington Court, 260 South Norwood Hill, London, SE25 6BE.

MORALE GOOD The following letters, here condensed, were exchanged between Captain Nigel Dixon, Secretary of the R.N.L.I., and Commander F. R. H. Swann, O.B.E., R.N.V.R., the new Chairman of the Institution, in February: • May I, on behalf of the staff and myself, offer you our warmest congratulations on your election as Chairman of the Committee of Management ? We are very conscious that the Institution is entering a new and exciting phase in its history, which will demand high endeavour by each one of us. It gives us confidence to know that at this testing time we shall have a Chairman with much experience and one who is dedicated to the Life-boat Service.—Captain Dixon.

• Thank you very much for your letter. I am most grateful to you and your staff for your congratulations and support. I am sure that we can work together as a team to ensure that we enter the Institution's 150th year in 1974 with colours flying and in good heart.

I agree that we are entering a new and exciting phase. I wish that our financial position was not so tight and gave us more of a margin but I am not unduly worried about this. We have been in this situation for several years but so far our supporters have always responded to our needs. I hope that they will continue to do so. Morale is high and I look to the future with confidence.—Commander Swann..