The P. & O. liner Oceana, which left London on the 15th March, with a large number of passengers, for Bombay, collided when off Beachy Head in the early morning of the 16th March with the German barque Pisagua.

The liner suffered severely and signals of distress were at once made. In response the Life-boats James Stevens No. 6, from Eastbourne, and the Michael Henry, from Newhaven, proceeded with all speed to the help of those on board.

When near Beachy Head the crew of the Eastbourne boat fell in with one of the ship's boats heavily laden, and apparently in a sinking condition, her occupants being busily engaged in. baling out the water with caps and boots. The Coxswain hailed the boat and asked if they required assistance; in reply the officer, who was in charge, said:—" Yes, we are sinking and thankful that you have come to the rescue." Without loss of time the imperilled people, twenty-one in number, were taken into the Life- boat and the ship's boat cut adrift.

Sail was made and the Life-boat re- turned to Eastbourne where the rescued people were landed. Steps were promptly taken to have them well cared for, some of them being in pitiable and exhausted condition, having escaped from the Oceana in nothing but their night clothing and blankets. As soon as the passengers were landed, the Life- boat again proceeded with all despatch to the scene of the disaster. In the meanwhile the Newhaven boat had reached the endangered liner, and a cross-channel steamer named the Sussex had also come to her help.

The Newhaven boat went alongside, took off forty-two persons and assisted to save twenty others. The captain o! the Oceana then asked the Coxswain to take the ship's carpenter (who was badly injured) and the ship's doctor to East- bourne. He accordingly did so and returned to the vessel and stood by her until she subsequently foundered. The boat then returned to Newhaven, con- veying the ship's doctor and one o£ the officers. Previous to this all those on board had been transferred to the Sussex.

There was an accident in connexion with this disaster which is much to be deplored, namely, the loss of seven- teen lives through the lowering of one of the ship's boats while the vessel was still under way. The boat capsized, and only part of her occupants were recovered. This accident occurred shortly after the collision and before the Life-boats had reached the steamer.

A few days after the loss of the Oceana the Captain sent the following letter to the Institution : " Newlyn," Cole Park, Twickenham.

March 20th, 1912. THE SECRETARY, N. L.-B. INSTITUTION.

DEAR SIR, I should like to bring to your notice the valuable assistance rendered to me by the Newhaven Life-boat on the occasion of collision of the s.s. Oceana and Pisagua off Newhaven. The Cox- swain of the boat did everything that I asked him to do and transferred many people to the s.s. Sussex, and also took our disabled carpenter ashore to East- bourne. I have thanked him personally, but a few words of recognition from yourself will be great praise to a man who, with many other men, rendered us poor sailors when in trouble such help as nobody else can do.

Pray accept the thanks of my officers, crew and passengers to whom service was rendered, and allow me to tender mine to the honourable Institution whom you represent.

I have the honour to remain, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely and gratefully, (Signed) THOMAS H. HIDE, Commander of Oceana.