Address your letters to: The Editor, The Lifeboat, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ or email us at: [email protected] All submissions should be clearly marked 'for publication' In reply to the letter from GM Reid regarding the Zetland being older than Queen Victoria (see Spring 2000 issue) we would like to point out we were very aware of the existence of the superb Zetland lifeboat, and the fact that she is the earliest known lifeboat surviving. We have always been very careful to describe the Queen Victoria (1887) as being the 'oldest surviving RNLI lifeboat m existence to our knowledge', and this refers specifically to a lifeboat that was designed, commissioned and built solely for service in the RNLI.

The last thing we would wish to do is take any credit or glory away from other older vintage lifeboats still around that actually pre-date the Queen Victoria (1887). Naturally, we cannot even be sure thai there is not another older RNLI-built pulling and sailing lifeboat languishing unnoticed in some dark corner somewhere, but as yet we have not been able to trace one. We would be very interested to hear if anyone knows of an earlier boat, as we are naturally anxious to get our facts right.

Hope this puts the record straight, and good luck to the Zetland and all the other vintage lifeboats around, as we are all 'pulling the same oar' to achieve the same aims. Queen Victoria has given us all tremendous pleasure at the various re-enactments and events since her restoration, and has just returned from attending a Sail 2000 Festival event in Bremerhaven, Germany. She is still available for events should anyone be interested.

Our second restoration project, the ex-Bembridge lifeboat Langham (1922), is now well under way, but as ever, looking for support. If anyone is interested in becoming a Friend of the newly-formed Isle of Wight Historic Lifeboat Trust, then we would be delighted to hear from you.

Martin Woodward Coxswain, Bembridge lifeboat loW Chairman IWHLT In the Autumn issue I read with some interest the letter by William Mavor about aneroid barometers.

I am currently involved in research into mercury barometers issued by the RNLI from 1860 onwards. Readers may be interested to know that we are able to confirm the existence of over 60 of the original 200 sent out 150 years ago. During the research details concerning the later aneroid barometers have also been collected.

If Mr Mavor or any other readers would like to write to me, I would be pleased to send further information.

Colin L Dingle (Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society) 42 Chestnut Avenue, Esher, Surrey KTW8JF.