For some time the number of Queries and Answers within The Mariner's Mirror has gradually declined and their ultimate demise has long been predicted in some quarters. However, as readers will see in this issue, reports of their death have been greatly exaggerated. Cathryn Pearce's query about lacks seems to have struck a chord among readers and the number of responses has been remarkable. Unlike more transient forms of communication, these responses will now be preserved for posterity and available to future researchers on the subject.
Admittedly not all queries elicit such a strong and immediate response. Frank Scott has carried out some analysis of Queries and Answers over the last couple of decades which has revealed some interesting statistics. In the 1990s we were regularly receiving more than 20 queries a year, whereas in the last five years the average has dropped to just four. The response rate can vary quite dramatically from 70 per cent of queries being answered in 2003 to only 20 per cent in 1999. Generally around half of all queries get some kind of response and in the last 20 years a total of 145 of the 300 queries have been answered. It can sometimes take a few years for queries to receive their answer, with the prize for the longest gap going to David Pulvertaft, who responded to a query from 1912 some 94 years later in 2006.
Even in this age of social media, instant messaging and online forums, it seems that there is still a place for the more traditional approach within the pages of this journal. Readers are encouraged to make use of this forum to resolve some of the more obscure aspects of nautical research. The wealth of knowledge and experience among members of the society is extraordinary and although some queries will inevitably pass unnoticed it is also possible that tricky problems will be resolved, important details get shared and new lines of enquiry are opened up.
After more than 20 years’ service Pat Crimmin has now retired from the Editorial Board. Pat has been a stalwart member of the society for many years and has been immensely supportive of both The Mariner's Mirror and its editors. Her quiet wisdom and wise counsel have been greatly appreciated and I wish her well in her retirement. In her place we welcome Joost Schokkenbroek, Chief Curator at Het Scheepvaartmuseum and Professor of Maritime History and Maritime Heritage at VU University Amsterdam. Another fond farewell goes to Peter Winterbottom who, after serving valiantly as secretary of the society since 2005, has now also retired. We welcome Byrne MacLeod as the new secretary.