My Family Tree

Lifeboat Journal of May 1 1891:

April 24 1890 - Newhaven - Michael Henry Lifeboat
Information having been given to the Coxswain of the lifeboat that a vessel had been seen ashore off Beachy Head, during a strong WSW breeze, a heavy sea, and a thick fog, the lifeboat was launched at 10.40 am and found the ship Polynesia of Hamburg, broadside on to the rocks between Birling Gap and Beachy Head, and being washed or driven inshore as the tide rose. At the request of the Mate of the vessel the lifeboat remained by her as she was leaking badly, and at 4.30pm the master and crew, sixteen in all, got into the lifeboat and were brought ashore. Expense of the service £9.

Stuart Nourse regrets that he has NO pictures or photos of the wreck.