Worthwhile find Whilst turning out a drawer today I came upon some pictures showing the Worthing lifeboat and crews, we wondered if readers would be interested in seeing this cutting (left).

For some time we lived in the building right next door to the old lifeboat station. What fantastic lifeboatmen they were in past days, from the station to the launching pad was quite a step, then the launch and the subsequent task at sea. The days of 'when men were men1 - not that we are not more than full of admiration for the present day crews, we read The Lifeboat avidly each time it comes through the letter box.

Irene Gillson Worthing The {new look) Lifeboat Just a brief note to say congratulations on the new look magazine. The colour photos really stand out, the graphics look impressive and are eye catching and as a relatively young member I think it looks even more appealing to the younger generation.

I always found fundraising a bit boring to read but with the photos and small amount of informative text it is now quite interesting. My only comment would be that I hope the letters section will return as some of the stories and histories were enlightening. As usual the articles are of high standard.

Congratulations! Phil Pearce Wiltshire Shoreline thanks My son and I are shoreline members and have recently received the Winter 97/98 issue.

I am writing to congratulate you all on the new presentation, the larger accounts of rescues, with pictures in a long story version make it very interesting. We were also especially taken with the article on Llandudno's unusual set-up of their boathouse after being there. We also enjoyed the excellent new display of old lifeboats at Chatham Dockyards, seeing this last year on our third visit.

Keep it up! - we pass the magazine onto an ex-Royal Marines veteran, and other ex-Naval friends.

Eileen Harris Southend-on-Sea An u i h a/ i h / a a I read with great interest, in the Autumn 1997 issue of The Lifeboat the letter from Gareth Pryce respecting the ex-lifeboat The Three Sisters. A Liverpool class craft, late of Coverack, Cornwall, which he had seen at Rhos-on-sea, North Wales now carrying the name Silent Waters.

Whilst visiting Porthmadog last year, also in North Wales I observed another ex-lifeboat, lying on the harbour slipway, and this craft was also carrying the name The Three Sisters. On the cabin side was a brass plate indicating that this was a former lifeboat.

Unfortunately my visit was brief and I was unable to locate the present owner or to obtain any further information.

I enclose a photograph of this craft, which has the appearance, I think, of being an old Solent class lifeboat. It is a coincidence that both these boats were called The Three Sisters, and are you able to add any more details? David E Herriott, Govenor and Comittee Member Solihull.

Editor replies: There have been two lifeboats named Ihe Three Sisters and one named Three Sisters. There has also been a lifeboat namedThree Brothers, one namedTwo Sisters and a Two Sisters, Mary and Hannah - a popular style of name for lifeboats which were funded anonymously.

As these were anonymous gifts I am afraid we do not know for sure if any of the donors are connected but I would guess that the two lifeboats with exactly the same name (and built within a lifetime of each other) come from the same donor.

The Solent class that you saw at Porthmadog, The Three Sisters (ON 1014), was stationed at Thurso between 1970 and 1988 and also served as a relief lifeboat - launching WO times and saving 24 lives during her service. She was sold in 1990 to roundthe- world sailor David Scott Cowper for his fourth trip around the globe.

Public recognition Despite the yellow jackets, the flag and boat boxes we still hear 'what is it for?' repeated on flag day.

A simple plastic model of a Severn or Trent class lifeboat, perhaps one metre long, would ensure instant 'product identification' and most importantly, attract many small children whose parents would then contribute.

How about it Poole? John Dodds Chairman, Darlington branch Richard Mann, national fundraising manager for the RNLI replies: We are delighted that the introduction of some new materials are actually finding favour with our branches for use on flag days. Mr Dodds is quite right in saying that recognition of the cause is vitally importan t in generating response from the public hence the introduction of these materials which of course include jackets, tabards and sashes as well as new bucket collecting boxes.

I also agree with Mr Dodds that it is often by attracting children that one can generate a response from their parents and this is an area we are presently giving consideration to. Whether a plastic model is the right product for use to use, we are not yet sure. There are logistical problems in transportation and maintenance. We are most grateful to Mr Dodds for his thoughtful letter.

Charitable act...

I read in "Newspoint" in your autumn edition of the concern that some subscribers have about the cost of The Lifeboat magazine.

Many readers will have access to a public waiting room or reception area. Possibly their concern could be allayed somewhat, if when they had finished reading the magazine, they could leave it for the public to read. If that were done, more people may be encouraged to become subscribers to the RNLI.

Leaving something to read in a doctor's waiting room other than eleven year old women's magazines, would in itself be a charitable act! Alan Parr, Clwyd.

Survivor's appeal While serving during the second World War my ship, HMS Patia, was attacked by torpedo and Folke-Wolfe bombers and sunk off the coast of Northumberland.

Boulmer lifeboat picked up survivors with station honorary secretary , Mr Stanton, aboard working with Coxswain James Campbell and the crew - Mr Stanton's son is my only living contact with those brave lifeboatmen.

When we landed on the beach a policeman ran along the waters edge warning us of mines in the area and led us safely into Boulmer. There were about 15 survivors from our cutter, including our captain, and when we had carried the wounded to the ambulance and off to hospital we were looked after by the most wonderful people. As most of us were naked at the time, we were clothed while the husbands were out at sea picking up our shipmates who had survived the strafing from early morning aircraft, which incidentally the lifeboat crew were now undergoing.

It is the memory of the fishermen's wives who were comforting us that I would wish to thank for the motherly kindness and care which they bestowed on us.

Unfortunately now I imagine most have passed away and it is to the sons and daughters of those generous people I wish to make my thanks known for the actions of their parents.

I would like to appeal thorough The Lifeboat, for a reunion of the remaining survivors from HMS Patia. to participate in a pilgrimage to Boulmer during the May festival this year to see the plaques and to take part in a possible remembrance service.

W. G. Colburn Hemel Hempstead Readers may be interested in this postcard photograph of Douglas lifeboat. It is one of several that came into the possession of my wife, Manx by birth, from her immediate family.

Although the lifeboat pictures are not dated, others in the collection are inscribed '1924'. Since the photographs would appear to date from the same era I would suggest that the enclosed ones are from the 1920s.

We look forward to receiving our copy of The Lifeboat and always look out for any news from the Isle of Man.

David and Hilda Green Doncaster.