Keeping history preserved I read the feature on the National lifeboat Collection at Chatham with great interest, unfortunately the collection does not include the 'jewel in the crown', the oldest existing lifeboat in the world - the Zetland.

Built in 1802 by Henry Greathead, she served at Redcar from 1802 to 1864, saving over 500 lives. She was commissioned by Lord Dundas from Greathead when he was trying to drum up business at Whitby, and cost £200 (some £20,000 today). Zetland is the old name for the Shetland Islands and when Lord Dundas was elevated in the peerage he took the name.

As a group we have been nurturing the Zetland museum since 1980 on a voluntary basis. We are open every day from 1 May to 30 September, 11am to 4pm or parties by appointment. As well as RNLI souvenirs, we sell our own unique gifts.

G Smith Souvenir secretary Zetland museum Redcar.