During a moderate westerly gale and heavy sea on the 18th March, information reached Newhaven at 7.25 A.M. that a steamer was ashore one mile west of Cuckmere.

The Life-boat was promptly launched and proceeded to the place where they found the s.s. Newstead, of Newcastle —a large steamer of nearly 3000 tons — ashore. The Captain requested the Life-boat to stand by him, and later when two tugs arrived they ran hawsers to them, but all attempts to float the vessel failed. The Life-boat remained with the vessel until the evening of the following day, when about 7 P.M. it was decided to abandon her, and the crew of twenty-three were taken into the boat.

Owing to the rough sea and the state of tide, it was impossible for the Life-boat to get to Newhaven, she therefore made for the beach, and when nearing it two of the Life-boat men swam and waded ashore with lines, and with the assist- ance of the onlookers the boat was pulled up on to the beach. Two men were left in charge of the boat, and the crew returned by land to Newhaven, arriving at 10.30 P.M. This was a very excellent service resulting in twenty-three lives being saved, and the endurance of the Life-boat men was severely tried, they having been on duty in cold and heavy weather continuously from 7.30 A.M. on the 18th until 10.30 P.M. on the 19th March. As the weather continued heavy a tug was sent on the 20th near to the scene of the wreck, and towed the Life-boat back to Newhaven..