Heritage
Dear RNLI: Letters from the archive
We’re sharing some of our favourite letters from the RNLI’s 200-year history.
Despite our age of digital communication, the RNLI are lucky enough to receive around 2,000 handwritten letters every year from supporters sharing their thanks, memories and experiences. The simple joy of writing and receiving a letter is hard to beat – and for many people, handwritten letters are among their most treasured possessions.
Letters can also be a wonderful periscope into the past – if you’ve ever discovered a bundle of letters in the attic that your great-grandparents wrote to each other, and lost hours reading their words, you’ll know how they can transport you to another time. So, to celebrate World Letter Writing Day, we searched the RNLI’s attic (archive) for the letters the charity holds from decades past – and there are hundreds, some dating from 1824 when the charity was founded. The ink might have faded a little, the paper yellowing and fragile, but through the power of the pen they give a fascinating insight into the RNLI’s history.
‘Some amazing letters’
‘We have some amazing letters in the archives,’ says Hayley Whiting, Heritage Archive and Research Manager. ‘These include letters from the founder of the RNLI, Sir William Hillary, who writes about the business of running the charity. Sir William’s letters are 200 years old, and there’s something special about seeing his handwriting. You can imagine him writing the letters in Douglas, on the Isle of Man where he lived, sealing them with wax, and then sending them to London. The letters would have been transported to England by boat and then horse and carriage.’
One memorable letter in the archives was sent by Mary Keziah Roberts, a stewardess onboard the Titanic. She survived the Titanic disaster, and then, in a twist of fate, worked on the HMHS Rohilla, which sank in 1914. Mary was one of the 144 survivors rescued by the RNLI. ‘This is one of the star letters in our collection,’ says Hayley. ‘It was generously given to us by one of Mary’s descendants who thought the RNLI would be a good home for it, since Mary was rescued by the RNLI.’
Others in the collection include a typed letter signed by the Blue Peter presenters after a Blue Peter Appeal to support the RNLI, and one from John Betjeman, Poet Laureate, who, in 1973, was asked to write poetry for the RNLI’s 150th anniversary. He replied that: ‘so far as poetry is concerned I dare not commit myself to subject and date. My muse is wilful and reluctant and must be waited upon, I can therefore promise nothing.’ At the time he was writing a poem for Princess Anne’s wedding to Mark Philips, which, it has since been reported, gave him temporary writer’s block.
Another writer who appears in the archives is Enid Blyton. In a letter handwritten on personalised headed paper and dated 24 June 1952, she writes about an RNLI essay competition: ‘I don’t know in what form you run your school competitions but should you, say, want one of your true and really wonderful stories written up for children to comment on, then I’ll do it with pleasure.’
The essay competition, known as the Duke of Northumberland Essay Prize, ran from 1918 to the 1930s, before stopping during the Second World War, and re-starting in the 1960s. ‘We have many certificates in the archive from people who won this prize,’ says Hayley. ‘They’re really beautiful, especially those from the 1930s when there were very decorative designs.’
Many more notable names grace the letters in the RNLI archives; they serve as a fascinating insight into the RNLI’s history and the variety of lives the charity has touched over the years.
Here are a few extracts from letters in the archive for you to enjoy.
‘I must get easier boots’
This letter is written by Mary Keziah Roberts, a stewardess on the Titanic, to her husband. The letter is postmarked Queenstown, 3.45pm, 11 April 1912, and on the reverse, Nottingham, 7.45pm, 12 April 1912.
Mary survived the sinking of the Titanic and, 2 years later, was saved by the RNLI while working as a nurse on the Rohilla, which sank off the coast of Whitby.
My dear Hubby,
Having just a moment to spare. They tell me these ships are not the value to us, as a smaller ship, to stay on them. The passages length is awful, also stairs. I am taking it easier, I let the men make the beds if they will, I gave up all the maids. They are not worth the trouble. I don’t feel at all up to the mark so I am being careful. I am a little nervous of my side giving way. The lady had full menu for breakfast. The distance to carry trays up & down stairs is cruel. Mrs McClaren (h)as 54 steps on her deck it’s really is to(o) bad.
Mr Latimer would not bring Mrs Roche, because she was so many times ill said we must be strong & healthy so I dare not show the white feather. I know it is not wise one is obliged to go ahead. There’s not much mercy now days. I am paying a youth 4/- (pence) to carry all my soiled dishes away. I cannot do it hard enough. To get thro(ugh) as it. I wish some one would take up your patents, or I could get something to pay on land. I must get easier boots, in New York. These are beggars & pinch. Been a failure to me. Trust alls well, glad on few pass(engers); going out. Gives me time to learn run of ship.
Much love
‘I had the honour to lay the first stone’
In this letter, Sir William Hillary is writing to the RNLI Central Committee to report on what’s happening in the Isle of Man. He refers to his ill health which was the result of a serious injury he sustained during a rescue in 1830, for which he received a Gold Medal. The letter also mentions the Tower of Refuge at Douglas, a small stone-built structure on a St Mary’s Isle, where shipwrecked people could go to wait for help.
Isle of Man 23 June, 1832
My Dear Sir
Our Agnwald Court or great annual meeting of the legislature of the Island at which we make the report of our district association will take place on the 5th July – and having found it advantageous to distribute and often to refer to the report of the Royal National Institution on that day I shall feel obliged by your sending me a supply of the last which I imagine must now be published – and if you have them to spare I shall be glad to receive a few of the 6th report at the same time, addressed for me, to the care of the Isle of Man Steam company’s Office, Nova Scotia Liverpool and as we have six arrivals a week I shall receive them in a few days.
I have not seen any account in the papers of your annual dinner and I fear the disjointed state of the times may have rendered that measure inexpedient but I hope an Institution for such objects as ours will not otherwise suffer from the continued agitation in which the country has so long been kept.
At this season it is not to be expected I should have anything material connected with our objects to transmit, but I am happy to acquaint you that our projected Tower of Refuge upon St Mary’s rock of which I had the honour to lay the first stone on St George’s day, has been contracted for and is now in progress, with every prospect of its being completed before another winter. This interesting object engages a good deal of my attention, so far as my health will admit, of which I am not able to give a more favourable account than when I last wrote – in addition to the other contusions I received at that wreck the right ventricle of the heart is ascertained to have been injured, in consequence at times I suffer severely and have made but a very slow progress towards recovery – the cause in which it was sustained, and the miseries we were happily the instruments to avert are my best recompense at strong constitution, able medical advice, time and patience, my best remedies –
I hope you continue well. Have the kindness to offer my best regards to our excellent chairman and my friends of the committee …
‘His Majesty would be pleased to be the Patron’
Dated 2 February 1824, this letter is from The Right Honourable Robert Peel, Home Secretary, on behalf of King George IV, accepting to be Patron. In 2024, 200 years later, His Majesty King Charles III is the Patron of the RNLI.
Sir,
Having taken the earliest opportunity of submitting to His Majesty the request which you have been desired to prefer, that His Majesty would be pleased to be the Patron of a Society for the Preservation of human life from Shipwreck. I am commanded to signify to you His Majesty’s ready compliance with that application. I have the honour to be Sir your most obedient humble servant.
Robert Peel
‘Welly helpful!’
On 26 April 1988, comedian Spike Milligan typed a letter to the RNLI in response to an advertisement at the time that said: ‘£6 will buy him a pair of boots’. He also wrote by hand ‘welly helpful’ at the top of the letter, showing his characteristic humour.
Dear Friends,
I can’t see your boys going out to sea any longer without boots. Herewith £6 - please buy a pair of boots.
Warm regards
Spike Milligan
‘The expedition has several official engagements’
This letter, dated 11 July 1953 and headed ‘British Mount Everest Expedition’, is in reply to the RNLI asking Sir Edmund Hillary to make a presentation at Newhaven Lifeboat Station to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
The letter from the RNLI opens: ‘You must, I feel sure, since your return from your magnificent achievement in climbing Mount Everest, have a great many calls made upon your time. However, there is one further invitation which I’m venturing to press on you, particularly because of the family connection which I understand exists between you and Sir William Hillary, the founder of the Life-boat Institution in 1824…’
Although the letter from the RNLI and Edmund Hillary’s reply allude to a connection with Sir William Hillary, this has never been validated.
The Secretary, Royal National Life-Boat Institution
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your invitation to attend the celebration of the Newhaven Life-boat station’s 150th anniversary. We have always regarded ourselves as being connected to Sir William Hillary and for that reason have always had a particular interest in your institution.
I regret however that the expedition has several official engagements on July 22nd and as I feel obliged to attend these I will be unable to be present at your ceremony. Perhaps at some future date I could have the opportunity to visit one of your life-boat stations. I would be very interested to do so.
Your sincerely E P Hillary
You may also enjoy the following
Innovation
Rescue
People