Books...

• Those who help to launch lifeboats can often be regarded as the forgotten heroes and heroines of a rescue, but at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea they are determined that the women launchers, whose exploits twice brought recognition in the form of the Institution's thanks inscribed on vellum, should keep their rightful place in the distinguished history of the Northumberland lifeboat station. Local man John Robinson has compiled a short story of their achievements and in particular the two rescues of 1927 and 1940 which focussed national attention on the women's bravery and has published the results in booklet form. A Short Story of the Women Lifeboat Launchers of Newbiggin-bythe- Sea costs 90 pence a copy, including postage and can be obtained from Mrs Barbara Martin (branch chairman) at 2 Bay View East, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland NE64 6DZ—NH • At the end of 1836 there were a number of unusually severe gales, culminating in the loss of seven local fishermen at Sheringham. This tragedy moved the Honourable Mrs Charlotte Upcher to provide the fishing community of Lower Sheringham with a lifeboat.

The Augusta was launched in 1838 and to celebrate 150 years of lifeboats at Sheringham Robin and Linda West have written The Story of the Sheringham Lifeboats 1838-1988. Robin is the son of Henry West BEM coxswain of the lifeboat for 21 years and now a deputy launching authority. The booklet reflects the tremendous pride which the families of Sheringham feel for their lifeboatmen, past and present, and is well illustrated. It can be obtained from the boathouse at Sheringham or by post from the honorary secretary Lt Cdr R Swindells, Pebble House, Gunthorpe, Melton Constable NR24 2NS, price £1.75.—MG • Barrow lifeboat station is situated on Roa Island in Morecambe Bay where, according to THE LIFEBOAT for January 1855, "the boat will command the entrance to the Port of Barrow". Thus started the station's long history which is described in Jeff Morris' booklet The Story of the Barrow Lifeboats. It is well illustrated with many old photographs showing, amongst others, the pulling and sailing lifeboat Thomas Fielden, which saved 45 lives on 14 service launches during its 26 years at Barrow from 1901 to 1927, the station's first motor lifeboat N. I., and the present 47ft Tyne class James Bibby, which arrived there in 1986. It is a well documented station history which can be obtained from Mr T Downing, 7 Flass Lane, Barrow-in- Furness, Cumbria LA13 OAA, price £1.25 plus 25p post and packing.—MG • The Last Big Boat by David Phillipson is the history of Redcar's lifeboats 1972-1986. In 1972 the Oakley class lifeboat Sir James Knott was allocated to Redcar and it was less than a month before she answered her first service call to the Dutch coaster Hendrika aground on rocks. The services are all well documented along with chapters on the crew and relief lifeboats. In 1986 a Tyne class was allocated to the neighbouring lifeboat station at Teesmouth and the Oakley was withdrawn from Redcar, being replaced by an Atlantic 21 and a D class inshore lifeboat. The book is well illustrated with photographs and can be obtained from Mr Phillipson, 43 Stanley Grove, Redcar, Cleveland TS10 3LN at a cost of £1.85.

• The brave exploits of Watchet lifeboatmen and their efforts and those of others to prevent the closure of their lifeboat station are recounted in W H (Ben) Norman's book Tales of Watchet Harbour (The Somerset Port of a Thousand Years), first published in 1985 and now completely revised and reissued.

The author, son of a sea captain and himself a keen antiquarian and sailor, has drawn together a host of information about the ancient port, with a wealth of humorous anecdotes and salty tales to keep readers of this book informed, amused and entertained for hours. Priced at £4.95 and published by the author, it is available from local Watchet shops or direct from Ben Norman at Lyn Cottage, Mill Lane, Watchet, Somerset TA23 OAR (please add 55p for postage and packing)..