Birkbeck Birthday Readers might be interested to hear that the lifeboat Edward Birkbeck, shown above on Deganwy beach, is rapidly approaching her 100th birthday and still in regular use.

The hull is an improved Norfolk and Suffolk type rowing and sailing lifeboat built by Beeching brothers of Great Yarmouth for 14 rowers. She went into service at Winterton-on-sea, Suffolk on 2 November 1896 and was named after the then RNLI chairman. She launched 44 times, saving 94 lives before she was withdrawn from service on 5 January 1925 when the station was closed - her honours board is still on display in Winterton church.

After leaving service, she was converted into an auxiliary sloop, re-named Minosa and belonged for many years to Captain Sparrow of Cardiff and later to MrJ.E. Hamlin who kept her at Falmouth, followed by Paul Dunbar of Plymouth who restored her to her original name.

In the late 1980's she was bought by Gordon Brown and sailed up to North Wales, being rescued en-route by the St Davids lifeboat after engine failure in storm conditions and is now moored in the River Conwy. She recently had a new mast, staysail and jib and competes annually in the gaffers race in the Conwy regatta. The cabin woodwork needs regular attention but the hull is still as sound as a bell and is a tribute to her builders.

Peter Mowbray RhylRecalling St Paul I was amazed to read in the Summer issue of The Lifeboat that the oldest lifeboat in the National Collection, St Paul, was the old Kessingland lifeboat.

I lived in Kessingland with my grandparents in the upper village. How well I remember that last time in 1934, hearing the maroons firing overhead, and as a boy of ten years the headlong dash on my cycle to help launch the lifeboat over the long sand and shingle beach. I helped to push the boat, as the grown-ups dashed back and forth with the wooden skids from the back to the front to ensure an uninterrupted pace towards the sea.

She entered the water with the crew aboard, the big dark red sail was hoisted and away she sailed towards Lowestoft.

We were told that she was being decommissioned because the new motor lifeboat at Lowestoft would be able to cover her duties.

I never imagined I would ever hear or read anything again about the boat. Yet here she is still in existence - truly amazing! If I go to Chatham, I must surely have at look at her.

H. G. Payne Portland DorsetTractor facts? May I through your letters page, make a request for information on RNLI Case LA petrol crawler lifeboat tractors.

My father and I are in the process of restoring tractor T50, the first mechanical lifeboat haulage sent to Newbiggin in 1949, which we brought back from Ireland.

We would be interested in any information including photographs, technical details, personal recollections or on station training regarding the T50 or similar. The tractor left Newbiggin in 1959 and went into service at New Quay, Dyfed for 5 years. During 1964 to 1969 she went into reserve, later going to Newcastle, Ireland in 1969 until 1977. Does anybody know if it went to other stations between 1964 to 1969? Finally, I am also looking to buy a Kapok lifejacket (of the 1950's) and a copy of Irish lifeboats 1977 which contains a photo of the T50. Any help with my enquiries would be appreciated.

Richard Martin The Moorings 3 Windsor Gardens Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Northumberland NE646UN Thank you readers May I through your letters page, thank all the readers who have phoned me or written to me following my request for information on lifeboat model kits in the Autumn issue.

I have been inundated with descriptions, plans, photographs and general information. Thank you again.

David T. Craggs Wakefield West YorksMemories of Boulmer I was very interested to read about the National Collection of lifeboats at Chatham in the Summer issue and it reminded me of an event I witnessed in 1954.

It was the launching of the new Boulmer (Northumberland) lifeboat and as a small boy of 11 years, I had great pleasure attending the event and taking some photographs which I enclose and may be of interest to some readers.

A.E. Wilkinson Pontefract.