Mallaig, Inverness-shire EARLIER BAD WEATHER on Saturday September 11, 1982, gave way to a bright sunny morning at the attractive west coast of Scotland harbour of Mallaig as preparations were made for the naming of the station's new 52ft Arun lifeboat. With the island of Skye and the clearly visible Cuillin hills in the background, the new Arun was a gleaming centrepiece of the naming ceremony site on a quayside already decked with platform, bunting and rows of chairs patiently awaiting the guests.

Coming on station in July, the lifeboat, funded from a legacy left by Miss Lilian Hunter in memory of her parents, had already been called out on service several times. One call had taken Coxswain David McMinn and his crew to sea for more than 24 hours and another had earned a formal letter of appreciation from the Chief Constable of the Northern Constabulary.

By early afternoon a large gathering of local people, invited guests and civic dignitaries were taking their seats, backed up by holidaymakers and visitors to Mallaig attracted by the festive scene. On cue at 2 pm the platform party arrived escorted by a piper, Lachlan Robertson, in full Highland dress.

They were greeted by a very impressive Scout Cub guard of honour; then young Ian MacNaughton, son of the assistant mechanic, resplendent in his traditional attire, manfully made a presentation to Mr Charles M. Hunter, who was fulfilling the dual role of donors' representative and namer of the lifeboat. After an address of welcome by the branch chairman, Mr G. G. Jackson, the Mal-laig School Choir delighted everyone present by singing a short selection of sea songs.

In accepting the Arun from Mr Hunter on behalf of the RNLI, Sir Charles McGrigor, a vice-president of the Institution and convener of the Scottish Lifeboat Council, delivered her into the care of Mallaig station branch; in turn, she was accepted on behalf of the branch by the station honorary secretary, Archie MacLellan.

To accompanying music provided by the visiting Leith Salvation Army Band, the Reverend A. McGowan, minister of the parish of Mallaig and the Small Isles, supported by Canon E. Maclnnes of St Cumin's Church, Morar, conducted the service and dedication of the new lifeboat. Then the chairman, Mr Jackson, called upon Mr Hunter to name the boat The Davina and Charles Matthews Hunter.

With the breaking of the bottle of champagne, the Arun slipped her moorings, turned on a sixpence and, to the music of 'We are sailing . . .' especially requested by Coxswain McMinn and his crew in honour of the guests, she headed out into the harbour where, with perfect timing, she was escorted by a low flying air sea rescue helicopter from RAF Leuchars displaying the RNLI house flag on her winch wire.

In all, a memorable day, which was concluded with typical Mallaig hospitality being provided for everyone in the Seamen's Mission, where Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, thanked Superintendent W. Simmons and his lady helpers for their generosity.—K.T.

Aldeburgh, Suffolk EVEN SOME of the shops in Aldeburgh's high street closed so that staff could go to the ceremony. What custom could there be anyway when everybody was down on the beach for the naming of the station's new 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat? Nowhere more than at Aldeburgh could a comparatively small community feel so possessive about its new lifeboat: Aldeburgh had raised the greater part towards her cost with its appeal, Aldeburgh men would be taking her to sea and her name was to be that of Aideburgh's most famous coxswain, the legendary James Cable who three times was awarded the RNLI's silver medal for gallantry.

The Suffolk coast is sometimes known for its chill easterly winds; on Monday September 20, 1982, there was indeed a stiffish wind, but it came from the south and its warmth reflected the welcome given by the people of Aldeburgh to HRH The Duke of Kent, president of the Institution, and other visitors to the naming ceremony. The new lifeboat, high on her turntable, dominated the proceedings; a huge crowd beneath, including lines of school children each clasping a flag, awaited the Royal party's arrival while the band of the Leiston Royal British Legion played lilting Arthur Sullivan tunes.

Once dignitaries were installed on the dais, Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Mills, chairman of Aldeburgh branch, welcomed everyone to the ceremony and reminded the Duke of Kent that it was 50 years ago that his father, Prince George, had come to Aldeburgh on May 27, 1932, to name the then new lifeboat Abdy Beauclerk. A further reference to history was made by the Mayor of Aldeburgh, Mr Peter Whately-Smith, when he stood up to hand over the lifeboat to the RNLI. He recalled the fund-raising prowess of Captain Pascoe whose appeal in Aldeburgh in 1866 raised £450, enough to pay for the local lifeboat of that day which was later named after him. He gave details of the appeal for James Cable which raised £225,000 from a total of some 700 separate donations.

Michael Vernon, a deputy chairman of the RNLI, who received the lifeboat and delivered her into the care of Aldeburgh branch, continued to evoke Aldeburgh's rich history by reminding the gathering that a lifeboat was stationed at Sizewell, just along the coast, by the Suffolk Shipwreck Association in 1824, the same year as the RNLI's foundation. The station was transferred in 1851 to Aldeburgh, where there has been at least one lifeboat ever since.

In his speech of acceptance, Kenneth Brown, station honorary secretary, expressed his pleasure, pride and confidence in being entrusted with 'such a fine new boat'. He ended with the words, '. . . I am in no doubt that our crew will do justice, in fact have already begun to do justice, to this splendid craft. You may rely on them. Sir, to continue in the tradition of James Cable and be ready to answer the call at all times.' The service of dedication followed, conducted by the Reverend David Hutchinson, Vicar of the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, assisted by Bishop Falkner Allison, Father David Thomson of the Roman Catholic Church, the Reverend Michael Allen of the Methodist Church and with Reg Kirby of the Baptist Church in attendance.

After the service the Duke of Kent paid tribute to the lifeboatmen, shore helpers and all their families, saying that those he met today were doubtless very similar to those his father had met 50 years earlier; they would all respond to a call for rescue in the same way. The Duke also expressed the deep gratitude the RNLI felt to the people of Aldeburgh who had succeeded in raising 90 per cent of the entire cost of the new lifeboat. He had much pleasure in naming her James Cable. The button was pressed and down came the bottle of champagne.

After the ceremony the Royal party boarded James Cable and watched by the eager crowd which had moved round on to the shingle to line the launching path, the lifeboat sped down the sloping beach into the sea. Before returning to the beach Coxswain William Burrell was able to show the Duke of Kent his new lifeboat's impressive capabilities in choppy waves.—E. w-w.

Poole, Dorset 'Each naming ceremony is unique', said Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the RNLI, as he opened the proceedings for the naming ceremony of a new 52ft Arun lifeboat on Friday October 8, 1982. This ceremony, organised by head office staff, was taking place at the RNLI's depot, West Quay Road, Poole, the lifeboat was to enter the relief fleet and she was to be named in honour of Major General Ralph H.

Farrant, RNLI chairman from 1975 to 1979, and Mrs Farrant.

Among the audience were many of General and Mrs Farrant's relations and friends, colleagues of General Farrant, who is a vice-president of the RNLI and a member of the Institution's Search and Rescue, Boat, Technical Consultative and Finance Committees, and RNLI staff. A bouquet was presented to Mrs Farrant by Teresa Harvey, youngest member of the Institulion's staff. Any gloom cast by clouds left over from a morning of torrential rain was quickly dispelled by cheerful music played with vigour by the Band of the Royal Artillery, General Farrant's old regiment.

In handing the new lifeboat over to the Institution the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the RNLI said, 'One of the most splendid of RNLI traditions is to name a lifeboat as a tribute to those who have served as chairman of the Institution. I am well aware of ihe enthusiasm and dedication General Farrant brought to the job of chairman. As his successor I was most grateful when 1 took over in 1979 to find the RNLI on a thoroughly sound footing and well prepared for the challenge of the 1980s.

During his time as chairman, General Farrant visited lifeboat stations, branches and guilds throughout Britain and Ireland, and it is fitting that this lifeboat should have been paid for out of the general funds of the Institution and that she will serve in the relief fleet, visiting lifeboat stations throughout the country.' Commander Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the Institution and there followed a service of dedication conducted by the Reverend Peter G. Hardman, Rector of Wareham, assisted by the Reverend John Potter, Rector and Rural Dean of Poole, the Reverend Bruce Warren, Minister United Reformed Church, Poole, and Father Eamonn McGivern, Parish Priest of St Marv's Roman Catholic Church, Poole. Introduced by Admiral Graham, General Farrant said, 'It is a great delight to be here today . . . I would like to thank the chairman and Committee of Management for the great honour they have paid me in resolving that this lifeboat should bear the name of myself and my dear wife. Serving the Institution has been a great pleasure to us both. We have met so many people all over the country . . . I would like to thank everyone in the RNLI family both near and far for their help and support over the years and for their continuing work for the Institution.' Admiral Graham then invited Mrs Farrant to name the lifeboat Ralph and Bonella Farrant, and as the traditional bottle of champagne broke on her bows, three hearty cheers were led by the lifeboat crew.

General and Mrs Farrant were escorted to 'their' lifeboat by the chairman and the director, and as they went afloat for a short trip, accompanied by their grandchildren, a helicopter from the naval air base at Portland flew overhead, streaming an RNLI flag and providing a final heart warming tribute to this family celebration.—H.D.

City of London THE CITY OF LONDON appeal, which raised £433,485.43 to fund the first prototype 47ft Tyne class lifeboat, was launched by the Rt Hon The Earl of Inchcape at Fishmongers' Hall in November 1980. On Monday November 1, 1982, the story came full circle when this impressive new boat was named City of London at Fishmongers' Hall Steps, London Bridge, by the Lady Mayoress, Lady Leaver. It was in many ways an historic as well as a splendid occasion. Welcoming the guests, Mr John Norton, a past Prime Warden of the Fishmongers' Company, reminded them that the RNLI itself had been founded within the City of London in 1824, but that this was the first lifeboat to be named after that great centre of maritime activity, renowned the world over. Among the guests were not only the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, but also representatives of 40 City Livery Companies and other major institutions.

Describing the new lifeboat, Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, said: 'The RN LI prides itself on being able to put into the hands of our lifeboatmen the best possible tools for the job. You see before you the latest example of our wares which I believe lives up to our traditions of excellence, ingenuity, practicality, ruggedness and, if I may call it such, "with-itness" ' . . . this exciting fast slipway boat is 'designed and built to a very tight and demanding specification. The fundamental requirement was to design a boat capable of being launched from an existing boathouse down an existing slipway but having more than twice the performance of the older 47ft Watson or 48ft 6in Oakley . . . she had to have protected propellers . . . she needed large powerful engines . . . and of course she must carry the latest navigational aids, radio direction finding and survival equipment. Very much a quart in a pint pot.

'This has been achieved, thanks to the careful preliminary design and research work carried out by the National Maritime Institute with the help of our own technical staff and by the great care and craftsmanship shown by our boatbuilders, Fairey Allday Marine of East Cowes. She has already circumnavigated the British Isles; she has been launched down a slipway; she has been handled by over 50 different coxswains; she has endured storm force 10 off Cape Wrath; she has exceeded 18 knots.

'This boat is a prototype but she is in every way a lifeboat and after more trials next year (1983) in differing sea conditions, at different slipways, she will take her place on the coast.' Lord Inchcape, chairman of the appeal committee, presented the new lifeboat to the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, who received her on behalf of the RNLI. Thanking all those who had contributed towards her funding, His Grace said that although many institutions and companies based in the City of London had in the past given lifeboats, this was the first time a lifeboat had been given by all those who live and work in that historic square mile. The success of the appeal, the Duke continued, had been due in particular to Lord Inchcape himself, who had always supported the RNLI both personally and through his company; like his father before him, he was a great friend of the Institution.

The Duke of Atholl then announced that when this new lifeboat had finished a further series of trials she would be placed on station at Selsey.

The service of dedication which followed was conducted by the Bishop of Fulham, representing the Bishop of London, supported by the Reverend C.

Cunningham of the Roman Catholic Church, the Reverend R. G. Gibbins of the Methodist Church and the Reverend K. Good, assistant secretary of the Mission to Seamen. On this occasion, when the boat was still undergoing operational trials, the prayers embraced those concerned in her design and building as well as those who would sail in her: '. . . strengthen, we pray thee, the efforts and endeavours of all those who will sail or work on this lifeboat . . . Enable them to perfect her design so as to improve the chances of saving life from shipwreck and disaster. Help them to find pride and inspiration in this thought so that they may daily renew their efforts diligently until such time as their task is completed, and this lifeboat goes to her appointed station.' After the prototype 47ft Tyne class lifeboat had been named City of London by Lady Leaver, with the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne, the Duke of Atholl invited the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress to board the lifeboat for a short trip on their own River Thames, down to Tower Bridge and back. As the lifeboat cast off, the Guild Hall School of Music and Drama Band, which had provided all the music, was playing 'Rule Britannia'.

Formal proceedings at an end, the guests were invited to a reception in Fishmongers' Hall. A special lifeboat cake had been made for the occasion by the School of Cookery of the Marine Society, in whose Lambeth premises is housed the RNLI's London office, and it was ceremoniously cut by the Lord Mayor.—J.D..