Nearly saved . . . by a motor lifeboat I was interested in the feature 'Saved by a motor lifeboat', which appeared in the Winter 1996 issue of The Lifeboat.

There is an interesting story pertaining to this film - I was five years old at the time and well remember watching the rescue and being disappointed that there was nothing to see but a few lights. The story of the initial attempt to make the film was, needless to say, one of my father's favourite stories.

Here follows an account of proceedings which I think you will find interesting and amusing: On the 19 November 1924 I stood in the window of my parents' bedroom (aged 5) and watched the rescue of the crew of the Belgian cargo ship Princesse Clementine.

It was pitch black and there was a strong, possibly gale force, northerly wind. The Runswick lifeboat, Hester Rothschild, rescued the crew all but the skipper who would not leave his ship.

However, on 22 November, the skipper burnt flares and the Runswick lifeboat was once again called out and rescued him.

At this time motor lifeboats were beginning to replace the pulling and sailing lifeboats and it was decided that this dramatic looking wreck would be very suitable to make a film to be used for fundraising, showing the extra efficiency of the motor lifeboats.

Arrangements were made and when a suitable day arrived with a northerly wind, strong enough to look convincing, the Whitby motor lifeboat came to Runswick and having put 'casualties' on to the wreck, towed the pulling and sailing boat out to sea.

All being ready, the Runswick boat was told to hoist sail and proceed.

Making all sail, the lifeboat set off for the wreck. Then the plan fell apart - the Whitby motor lifeboat could not catch the sailing lifeboat. My father, William James, who was station honorary secretary of Staithes and Runswick branch, called to the Runswick coxswain, Andrew Tose, 'Tow your drogue Andra' to which Andrew replied, 'We seeaved 'm it fost pleeas an' we'rgine ti seeave 'm in't fil-um'.

The film was subsequently made using the Whitby motor lifeboat and the Whitby number two pulling lifeboat.

J C James MBE, Vice-president, Staithes and Runswick branch ClevelandInspired to paint In October 1964, as an RNR officer, I was in command of HMS Curzon, a coastal minesweeper which was visiting Jersey at the end of a NATO exercise before returning to our home port of Shoreham.

On 9 October 1964, hurricane force winds gusting to 130mph struck the island causing widespread damage.

The following day saw the wind ease slighly to some 60mph with a heavy surf coming through the harbour entrance. St Helier's lifeboat, Elizabeth Rippon, was called out to search for survivors from the yacht Marie Celia, which had gone on the rocks at the north east of Jersey - a girl had managed to swim ashore, climb the cliff and raise the alarm.

Even in the lee of the harbour wall, it was difficult to stand up on Curzon's upper deck; nevertheless we all turned out to give the lifeboat a cheer as she passed.

An hour later we were asked to assist with the search, but getting out of harbour in one piece presented a problem, due to the wind resistance of the forecastle on HMS Curzon. We managed it, but had to bounce off the eastern arm of the harbour as the wind caught us.

The sea was completely white and covered in froth, with rain and hail coming over the back of the bridge which stung our necks like hornets.

When we reached an area where wind and tide came from different directions, the seas became mountainous. The bridge of a coastal minesweeper is over 30ft above sea, and it was the only time I have ever seen the breaking crest of a wave coming towards us higher than the top of the funnel! We patrolled as close inshore as we could while the lifeboat searched even further in, but nothing had been found by the time we were detatched in the afternoon. The winds were now dying down and we had a fairly bumpy passage back to Shoreham - the lifeboat coxswain subsequently received a commendation for this incident.

It was an experience I shall never forget, and I always resolved that I would paint it one day. In 1995, Thirtyone years later, I got round to it and here it is, I hope it is of interest to readers.

Warwick Child MBE VRD** FiMgt Commander, RNR (Rtd) Honorary treasurer, Mayfield and Five Ashes branch East SussexAny more takers? Following the successful lifeboat crew half marathon challenge, held in conjunction with the Great North Run in Newcastle, New Brighton lifeboat crew would like to extend the challenge to other lifeboat crews at a similar event during 1997. The race would be over the same half marathon distance and we are hoping the venue will be either Chester in May or Liverpool in August.

Would any interested crews please drop me a line at the address below and I will send further details when available. May we also take this opportunity to thank the challenge organisers, the crew of Amble lifeboat and Neil Hancock in particular for a most enjoyable race in Newcastle.

Mike Garbutt New Brighton lifeboat station Marine promenade New Brighton Wirral Where is Jane Holland? Eastbourne Civic Society has obtained interesting 16mm movie footage of one of the town's former lifeboats, Jane Holland (ON 673), and is trying to trace her whereabouts.

Delivered to Eastbourne from Selsey in 1929, the boat saw service at Dunkirk. Although badly damaged, she survived and remained at her home station until 1949. RNLI records show her sold out of service in 1953 and she was last seen in Birkenhead in 1960 under the name Reporter. Coincidentally, ON 674, renamed Fair Lady, was also seen in Birkenhead, but in 1980.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Michael Ockenden 6 Selwyn Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 2LE.