On the night of the 22ud January the s.s. Pernamluco, of Liverpool, with a cargo of coal from j Hartlepool to Portsmouth, struck heavily on the Spit Rock, Hartlepool, as she was proceeding to sea. She got off, but as she was found to be making w,ater rapidly was put about, and on making for the harbour she again struck the Spit Rock. Two tugs went out to her, but failed to move her, giving up the attempt at 11.30 P.M. Ten minutes later the vessel made signals of distress and at 12.15 on the morning of the 23rd January the No. 3 Life-boat, Horatio Brand, was launched to assist her. The Life-boat proceeded alongside, and in response to the request of several of the crew to be landed, nine men were j taken into the Life-boat, which conveyed ! them ashore. The Life-boat then re- I turned to the steamer and stood by her I throughout tho night. At 9 o'clock she ' assisted the tugs in another attempt to i get the vessel off, but without success.

! Shortly after noon, as the tide was ; falling, both tugs and Life-boat re- turned to harbour. During the after- noon the Life-boat again put off to the vessel and took out a large number of men, who, together with the Life- boatmen, jettisoned a quantity of the cargo, and at 10.30 P.M. the steamer was successfully floated and taken into safety..