It is always sad to record the demise of a lifeboat, even if no longer in the RNLI service.

The 35ft self righter Herbert Joy, was built in 1923 and stationed at Scarborough until 1931 and spent another six years in the relief fleet before being sold.

As a long time resident at Portsmouth's Camber Docks as Swallow, she succumbed to the breakers in November 1995.

Nick Hall Burgess Hill, West Sussex.