A fascinating glimpse of the Lifeboat archives nto the pasL 100 years ago The spring 1906 edition of the then Life-boat Journal reported there was a large demand for the barometers that the RNLI offered to professional mariners at a reduced price. The aneroid barometers, used to predict weather change at sea, had proven especially popular amongst fishermen (see page 12 for an update on MOB Guardian, the RNLI's modern-day computerised safety system).

Readers were also given an explanation of the lifebelts used by lifeboat crews of the day (pictured). Though buoyant, flexible and strong, the lifebelt had to be divided in two and secured at the waist: Kfc I '... in no other manner can it be confined sufficiently close around the body without such pressure over the chest and ribs as to materially affect the free action of the lungs, impede the muscular movement of the chest and arms, and thereby diminish the power of endurance of fatigue, which, in rowing-boats, is a matter of vital importance.' 50 years ago The Life-boat of spring 1956 began with a tribute by members of the Bridlington lifeboat crew to the quality of modern lifeboats.

Mechanic James Robinson was full of praise for Bridlington's Liverpool class lifeboat pictured during launch by Bridlington Free Press: 'In my estimation the performance of this boat was better than ever expected by me or any of the other men aboard ...I have been to sea for fifteen years in lifeboats, and would never have believed that a boat of this size could stand such punishment.' It was announced that Southend-on-Sea's newly retired Coxswain Sidney Page was to receive the RNLI'sThanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum after he launched three times in one night in autumn 1955. Coxswain Page and his crew launched the Southend lifeboat Greater London II to a motor barge, Fence, which had run aground on the night of 21 October. In gale-force winds, steep seas and squalls, the lifeboat crew managed to attach a tow to the barge, but the line parted.

'Coxswain Page brought the life-boat alongside the Fence's starboard quarter and took off two of her crew. Before the third man could be taken off the sea carried the life-boat clear, and another attempt had to be made to bring off the third man and the member of the life-boat crew who had boarded the barge.' The two remaining men managed to jump aboard and the lifeboat returned to station in the early hours of 22 November. But there were fears that the drifting fence would now be a danger to navigation and the lifeboat crew launched again to look for her. Despite more than three hours of searching, the Fence could not be seen and the attempt was given up. Later that morning, though, the Coastguard reported a possible sighting and Coxswain Page launched a third time, this time succeeding in finding fence and towing her out of harm's way.

Coxswain Page was also a holder of an RNLI Silver Medal and two Bronze Medals for Gallantry.

... 25 years ago Under'Notes of the Quarter', the spring 1981 issue of TheLifeboat revealed that Rear Admiral Desmond Hoare, who was instrumental in developing the first rigid-hulled inflatable boats, including the first Atlantic lifeboat, was to receive the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum (see page 36 of the spring 2005 issue of the Lifeboat for more on the links between the RNLI and Atlantic College).

Television comics Morecambe and Wise brought some sunshine to proceedings when they opened the London Boat Show in January 1981: 'Always good friends to the RNLI, Eric and Ernie exhorted everyone to 'support the lifeboats'in their opening speech and, adding practice to precept, they came to call at the RNLI stand.' The spring 1981 cover featured Shoreham Harbour's D-class and crew on exercise.

Photo: Peter Hadfield.