Big problems with little ships I was fascinated to read about the 34 calls to which the Poole lifeboat responded on August Bank Holiday last year. It certainly sounds like the record for one station.

Another interesting set of 'calls' would be those answered by the three lifeboats, who escorted the convoy of the Dunkirk little ships back to Dunkirk on 24 May 1990.

Seventy-five of the little ships, who had taken part in the evacuation in 1940, set sail from Dover in conditions which were approaching the limit but were promised an improvement. They sailed in a tightly controlled convoy, two columns abreast at the speed of the slowest. Off Calais the convoy formation changed to a single column and the weather deteriorated to a Force 6 or 7.

We had a superb escort of three RNLI lifeboats The Duke ofAtholl on passage from the presentation of awards to Poole to join the relief fleet, Dover lifeboat, and Walmer's new Atlantic 21.

The first casualty, not far out of Dover, was the partially crippled owner of one of the smallest boats, who fell and injured his back. The Walmer lifeboat attended, had the casualty evacuated by helicopter and helped crew the boat back to Dover. They rejoined the convoy in mid-Channel.

Over the other side quite a few boats suffered loss of power, possibly due to water getting into the fuel. Pulling out of the convoy, one of the lifeboats would take them in tow until they hadcleared the problem and could be let go to regain their situation. By this time, almost inevitably, someone else required assistance.

The Walmer boat went into Dunkirk West for refuelling and escorted some 'lame ducks' up the canal to Dunkirk East, where we all arrived and got into the Watier Lock in the dark. Before leaving for home, Dover lifeboat helped a boat with steering problems into the lock. The relief Arun and Walmer lifeboats came through with us to the Basin du Commerce where the Walmer crew slept on the Arun before returning to Walmer the next day.

A motor yacht, Rosehearty accompanied the convoy and a French lifeboat, Jean Bart also helped those in difficulties.

M. R. C. Parr Padstow.