The ship was torpedoed and was being abandoned when two men were seen floating in the oily water which flooded the engine-­room to a depth of 25 feet. Both were help­less, one being badly injured and the other overcome by oil fumes. All the engine‑room ladders had been destroyed, but using a boat ladder, Chief Officer Reeves descended into the engine‑room and secured lines about both men. While being hauled to safety, one of the men slipped back into the oily water. Mr. Reeves again descended into the engine-­room which was rapidly filling with surging and water, and secured another rope about the injured man who was then brought on deck. In descending into the darkened and flooded engine‑room, Mr. Reeves showed great bravery and complete disregard of his personal safety. His work was rendered doubly dangerous by the heavy oil fumes which had accumulated.