The Cromer Lifeboats by Bob Malster and Peter Stibbons (Poppyland Publishing), available from Cromer RNLI honorary secretary, 33 Hillside, Cromer, Norfolk, for £1.20 plus 25p post and packing, is the third edition of booklets about the Cromer lifeboats, their crews and their rescues. It is well illustrated and contains the history of the station from the early days of The Norfolk Shipwreck Association to the arrival and first service of the Tyne class lifeboat Ruby and Arthur Reed II, in 1986. The most famous and decorated coxswain of all time, Henry Blogg, features prominently as befits his 53 years of service in lifeboats.

'On 6 August, 1941, Convoy 559 went onto Haisbro' Sands in a gale and six vessels found themselves hard aground . . . Blogg at the helm ofH. F. Bailey went first to the Oxshott which had only her upperworks showing. Blogg rammed the lifeboat into a wedge-shaped opening in her upperworks. He rammed her in again and again right over the decks of the Oxshott until all 16 men were aboard the lifeboat.' Blogg and his crew went on to rescue 72 more men from other ships, once more running the lifeboat over submerged decks to pluck the sailors to safety. This series of rescues saw the award to Blogg of the third service clasp to his gold medal and the receipt of the BEM. This booklet contains some interesting historical photographs and makes good clear reading.—G.P.

• 'Up to twelve horses, brought from nearby farms hauled the carriage down to the surf. It is reported they became so accustomed to this task when the motor fired, two horses once jumped their field hedge to gallop unattended to the lifeboat house. At the water's edge a warp, attached to an anchor at sea, was used to pull the boat off. The same rules applied when launching the lifeboat as with beach company yawls; first arrivals sailed with the coxswain while company members touching the boat as it left gained a share of any salvage reward. Because this rule was rigorously enforced—presumably to make sure shareholders at least assisted with launching—there were times when men almost drowned to get their "touch".' This extract, taken from the fascinating booklet Palling—A History Shaped by the Sea by R. E. Pestell (Poppyland Publishing, £1.20), is part of a chapter about 'The Lifeboat Heroes' and tells of the lifeboats stationed at Palling from 1852 to 1930, which saved 781 lives.

Their crews, the beachmen, were awarded five silver bravery medals for their work during those years, and the book goes on to describe the rougher side to life on the bleak Norfolk shore with smuggling, salvage, fires and rivalries.- 3.P.

• An Illustrated Guide to Our Lifeboat Stations Part I (Berwick to The Humber) by Jeff Morris, available from him at 14 Medina Road, Coventry, CV6 5JB for £1.50 plus 25p post and packing, is a must for the lifeboat enthusiast. It is packed with information, and lists all the lifeboat stations in that area, past and present. It also details each lifeboat with dates, launches and lives saved, lists medals awarded and gives a brief history and notes on the current lifeboat or lifeboats on display. Many of the entries are illustrated with photographs of current and long extinct lifeboat " houses—now private homes, public shelters and toilets, amusement arcades and even a Town Hall. Painstakingly researched, this booklet is invaluable to the enthusiast.—G.P.

Recently published: • Seamanship (Hodder and Stoughton, £12.95) by Robin Knox-Johnston, a member of the RNLI's committee of management. The book covers boat handling, deck seamanship, emergencies, mooring and anchoring.

• Dictionary of Ship Types (Conway Maritime Press, £25) by Alfred Dudszus and Ernest Henriot. An A to Z of information about ships, boats and rafts under sail and oar.

In the last journal a brief mention was made of The Quest of Simon Richardson (Victor Gollancz, £10.95). It is also worth recording that Dorothy Richardson, Simon's mother who wrote the book, has generously promised all the royalties she receives to the RNLI.

TALL SHIPS VIDEO The unforgettable sight of the start of the Tall Ships Race as contesting ships assembled and set sail near the mouth of the Tyne earlier this year has been captured on video by former Amble lifeboat crew member and professional video maker Duncan Elson. The video is offered for sale at £19.95 a copy and all profits are being donated to Amble branch. Please apply to Duncan Elson, LE Animation Ltd, Teltech House, Bothal Terrace, Ashington, Northumberland, NW63 8PW..