ON CHRISTMAS EVE, Kilmore lifeboat was capsized twice. One member of the crew, Finton Sinnott, lost his life.

This sad accident caused the first loss of life following the capsize of one of the RNLI's lifeboats since the Fraserburgh disaster in January 1970. In contrast with the Fraserburgh disaster, when there was only one survivor, the other six members of the Kilmore crew were saved. This was largely due to the determination, skill and courage of the coxswain, Thomas Walsh, and other crew members, and the RNLI made suitable awards for gallantry which are reported on pages 113 and 114.

The saving of so many members of the crew was also due to the fact that the lifeboat was a self-righter, and the accident was in fact the first capsize on service of one of the RNLI's modern self-righting boats. As will be seen from the full account of the service the lifeboat righted herself twice and the engines were started immediately. Kilmore Quay lifeboat, which was built in 1972, is one of 26 boats of the 37' Oakley selfrighting class in the RNLI's fleet. This type of lifeboat was designed by Richard Oakley, the RNLI's former naval architect, and of the many gratifying letters he received following the accident one was from Kilmore Quay station.

Since 1958, when the first self-righting Oakley lifeboat came into service, lifeboats of this class have been launched on service 1,751 times and rescued 914 lives.

In many parts of Britain and Ireland exceptional conditions were experienced in the two days before Christmas, when a very active depression originating near the Azores moved north north east to the west of Ireland before turning east. During the period of strongest wind, storm force 10 was recorded over much of England and Wales.

Many stations damaged The days before Christmas were only one of a number of periods of exceptionally severe weather during the past winter. The greatest material damage occurred on January 11 to 12 when no fewer than seven offshore lifeboats were out of action for a time because of damage to shore installations. The most spectacular damage occurred at Margate, where the pier was wrecked and the lifeboat house and slipway were left isolated. With the help of a helicopter from the RAF base at Mansion an inspector of lifeboats and members of the crew were winched down to the boathouse, and in a skilful operation they succeeded in launching the boat, which is now operating from Ramsgate harbour.

A number of stations in Norfolk were also severely affected. At Cromer, Sheringham and Wells the boathouse doors were all stove in or otherwise damaged. At Humber the lifeboat dragged her mooring a mile and there was severe damage to the road giving access to the station at Spurn Point; although, fortunately, the houses of the full-time crew were not seriously damaged, water and electricity were cut off, causing considerable inconvenience to the crew members and their families until mains and power lines could be repaired. At both Aldeburgh and Walmer there was a large build-up of shingle.covering the slipways.

During these two days no fewer than 62 gale warnings were given on television and radio.

Storm damage in north west of England Earlier last quarter, during the night of November 12 and 13, lifeboat stations in the north west of England were particularly badly affected by gales and flooding. The inshore lifeboat house at Fleetwood was destroyed, and although the ILB herself was recovered the launching tractor was found buried in the beach. The ILB house at Lytham- St-Anne's was also flooded when the windows were stove in by the sea; as a result of the quick action and hard work of the crew members and supporters, however, the station was operational again within hours.

For very good practical reasons the RNLI carries its own insurance, and damage of the kind suffered during the winter months must mean a substantial expenditure running into some thousands of pounds.

A well-merited award The editorial notes in this number consist almost exclusively of accounts of loss and destruction. These are of course, at times, an inevitable part of the lifeboat service. I am however glad to end these notes in a more cheerful vein. All national awards made to those connected with the lifeboat service are well merited but I hope I may be for- given for singling out the award of the MBE to David Stogdon as one giving me particular delight. Having enjoyed his friendship for a quarter of a century, since he joined the RNLI about the same time as I did, I know how richly merited his award is. When the next official history of the RNLI is written I feel sure that appreciable space will be accorded to the work which David Stogdon has done in bringing the inshore lifeboat into service and in developing it into a lifesaving instrument of enormous value. His modesty and charm in executing his duties serve to make the award all the more welcome.

Right Way Up AN EXHIBITION depicting the story of the self-righting lifeboat is to be staged at the Science Museum, Kensington, from Thursday July 6 until the end of August.

It will trace the history of this aspect of lifeboat design from the early days of Lukin and Greathead, at the end of the eighteenth century, through the developments of Palmer, Beeching, Peake and Rubie to the modern Oakley offshore lifeboats and on to the Waveney, Arun and the inshore Atlantic 21. The case against self righting, strongly felt at the end of the last century, will also be reviewed.

As the exhibition will run through the end of term and summer holiday period, it will not only be of great interest to lifeboat people but it will also make a first class expedition for children. It will be open to the public from 1000 to 1800 Mondays to Fridays and from 1430 to 1800 on Sundays.

New member of C of M JULIAN WATHEN, vice-chairman of Barclays Bank International, has been elected to the Committee of Management.

Mr Wathen, who is a fellow of the Institute of Bankers, was born in Cromer, Norfolk, the home of Britain's most famous and highly decorated lifeboatman, Henry Blogg.

Coming Events ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and Presentation of Awards, Royal Festival Hall, London, Tuesday, May 16. The main guest speaker will be Miss Clare Francis, MBE.

The RNLI will be associated with the Bournemouth International Lawn Tennis Championships to be held next September. The RNLI will receive 20 per cent of the proceeds and season ticket books will be available to branches and guilds to sell at discount prices.

Full details in the summer LIFEBOAT.

Birmingham branch annual lifeboat dinner and dance will be held at the Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston, on Tues- day, October 17. All lifeboat people, and particularly Shoreline members, welcome. Details from RNLI district office, 2 Calthorpe Road, Birmingham B15 1QJ (Tel. 021-454 3009).

Holden House, Holden Road, Southborough, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent: these beautiful gardens will be open to the public from April 16 to June 4.

A souvenir stand will be manned by Southborough branch throughout.

Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week, July 22 to 30. Once again a spectacular programme is being prepared.Good wishes from the American Ambassador IN HIS NEW YEAR message to American citizens living in Great Britain published in The American, Dr Kingland Brewster, the United States Ambassador, gave his wholehearted support to the bicentennial American/British lifeboat appeal: The turn of the year marks the completion of the first seven months of my Ambassadorship in London—one of the most interesting and rewarding periods of my life. During that time I have met a variety of Americans in Britain. I have learned about various aspects of American activity here.

I am most impressed by what I have seen. Americans in Britain have gained an enviable reputation in several areas—as business and professional associates, as neighbours and as friends. They have helped to strengthen further the bonds between our two countries.

At this time of the year, when giving is one of the real joys of the festive season, the American community is actively organising help for people and institutions in need. Among the many worthwhile projects deserving support, I want to commend in particular the appeal of the Association for Rescue at Sea for a Wzveney type lifeboat to be given as a bicentennial gift to the Royal National Life-boat Institution.

A good start has been made toward the provision of this practical gift to mark the beginning of the United States third century as an independent nation, but a good deal more money is needed. Those interested can send their contributions to RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset.

As we welcome 1978,1 am very pleased to have this opportunity, in the columns o/The American, to wish a very Happy New Year to all the members of the American community in Britain.AGM Royal Festival Hall Tuesday, May 16.