from page 47 parts of the old rotten timber beams was then begun.

Access bridge At the same time the old access bridge was removed, so that for a short time Tenby lifeboat house became an island. The new access bridge spans from shore to boathouse with just one central support founded on a rock outcrop.

The bridge itself is fabricated from galvanised steel sections and cross members with three inch balau planking for the deck. Tubular steel handrailing with mesh infill panels to the lower bays, and service boxes containing water, oil, telephone and electricity supplies complete the bridge.

New access steps of similar construction were also erected.

An interesting feature of the design is that the seaward side of the main access bridge beams are connected to the steelwork supporting the winch. In this way, the winch loads can, in part, be transmitted through the shear legs of the central support to rock anchors drilled into the bedrock.

Slipway Meanwhile, the timber and steel superstructure of the existing slipway was being cut out. Up to a metre of concrete was added to the tops of the concrete transoms and the new galvanised steel slipway was assembled in panels on the beach. These panels were then placed on to the transoms and bolted down, working from the seaward end. Inevitably, in spite of accurate dimensioning and repeated site checks, various difficulties were encountered in fitting the units together, but nevertheless, by dint of steelfixing expertise and the use of a large hammer, all was eventually well and the slipway was fixed. The existing keelway in the boathouse was also removed and replaced with channels bolted through stools to the top transoms of the boathouse supporting structure.

Laddering plates were fitted throughout.

Sitting tenant Before the old roller keelway in the boathouse could be removed, a pigeon nesting under the boathouse floor had to be coaxed out; quite a problem since she was sitting on three eggs. The foreman spent several evenings talking gently to the bird, much to the surprise of all the men since he never spoke so quietly to them. But eventually his efforts were rewarded and bird, eggs and nest were successfully moved into a cardboard box, fitted with an entry flap, on top of the boathouse telephone box. In spite of all the noise and movement of men and machinery over the next few weeks, the pigeon stayed on the nest and hatched two young on Sunday May 18.

Finishing off The boathouse timber studding was treated against woodworm and so. too.

was the matchwood panelling, through half inch diameter holes drilled in thecentre of each panel. Several hundred holes were drilled and plugged and the final result is almost unnoticeable.

New iron rollers with stainless steel spindles were supplied, packed with grease, placed in position in the keelway and aligned, in time for the first housing test on Friday May 16. We are pleased to be able to say that the boat went in and out smoothly and launched satisfactorily at low water.

It but remained for the walkways on each side of the boathouse to be completed and the cutting out of the old timber and concrete from under the house to be finished off. Then, in June, the lifeboat and her crew were able to move back into their boathouse, complete with, perhaps, a full family of pigeons, at no extra cost..