SUNK BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

I thought it worth updating readers to let them know that, while many RNLI lifeboats have been lost when their service to the RNLI finished, the former Cardigan lifeboat Elizabeth Austin continues to contribute to history, albeit in a different form.

This lifeboat – now used as a dive wreck in Middlesex – featured in issue 599 (Spring 2012, pictured above) of the Lifeboat magazine in an article entitled Beneath Wind and Wave. You will be pleased to hear that she has now been awarded status as a national monument (#1587652) under the National Record for the Historic Environment held by Historic England. While this does not award her any protected status, it does acknowledge her age, history and service to the RNLI in the Cultural Heritage record for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

What’s more, the surveys carried out during my 2-year project on the vessel from 2012–2014 have contributed to the archaeological record on site formation in freshwater environments. This is important for maritime archaeologists to understand the decay mechanisms for Underwater Cultural Heritage where such sites exist. I and a number of divers from the Nautical Archaeology Society continue to monitor her status on an annual basis with the last survey completed in June 2015.

Brian Minehane, London

CONVERTED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

We enjoyed the recent piece on Lifeboats at War (Summer 2015) and the involvement of Ramsgate’s Prudential lifeboat. We own that boat – now Trimilia – and were pleased to be able to take her to Ramsgate and then Dunkirk in May to take part in the 75th Anniversary Commemoration of the Dunkirk evacuation. We were also pleased to meet Coxswain Ian Cannon, who featured in the article. He came aboard and it was from the current Ramsgate lifeboat that this great shot of Trimilia (pictured) was taken as we headed back to shore.

David and Moira Jay, Ipswich
(see trimilia.co.uk for more information)

SURVEY RESULTS
We sent out a questionnaire with our Spring issue to ask what you think of our magazine, which we relaunched a year ago. Thank you to all those who responded! Here are some of the figures – and comments – from the survey.

5,982 people responded

95% rated the magazine good or very good

89% said they would definitely read the next issue

42% have been reading the Lifeboat for over 10 years

93% rated our heritage article as good or very good

Our most popular articles: RESCUE STORIES

WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU DISLIKED?
‘Yes. There wasn’t enough of it’
‘Actually prefer previous layout/design, sorry!’
‘Can’t say I disliked anything’
‘I miss Compass, which had a lot more local news’
‘Facebook/tweets – what do they add?’
‘I liked the adverts that you no longer carry’
‘ Six of the Best should not be described
as an article – it’s a sales list’
‘Modern style takes a bit of getting used to’
‘No – I like the new format’
‘My name wasn’t in the lottery results (not serious!)’

TELL US WHAT YOU’D LIKE TO SEE IN FUTURE EDITIONS
‘A day in the life of a volunteer’
‘ More historical articles – this one
about Lusitania was brilliant’
‘A page with knitting, embroidery or craft would be
appreciated’
‘Map showing station locations’
‘More articles on women’s role in the RNLI’
‘ More rescue stories to boost profile
of our volunteer crews’
‘Surprise me!’
‘ Technical articles on boats
and equipment’
‘You have the balance right – keep on as you are!’

We’ll do our best to continue to get the balance right – many of you seem satisfied with the magazine and wouldn’t change a thing, but there were also lots of suggestions that could help us make it even better.

If you have any comments on this issue or a story to share, write to us using the contact details at the bottom of page 2. If you would like to receive rescue stories and more by email, visit RNLI.org/RNLIlife.