Port Arthur to assume command of another Gulf Refining vessel. The ship was heading first to the Delaware Breakwater to pick up a barge and resume her trip down south. In the evening of January 3 the tanker ran into a very strong nor'easter of the New Jersey coast, with winds averaging and gusts up to . The same storm devastated a seashore community of Seabright causing over 1,000,000 in damages. As the storm raged, Oklahoma maintained her engines running so she would not be driven towards the shore. At around 07:30 on January 4, as captain Gunther was giving the ship's position to the wireless operator (believed to be approximately ), a huge wave swept over the side of the vessel breaking her in two with the stern being swung around and laying alongside the bow. Thirty two men were trapped on the stern as it started to fill quickly. Two lifeboats were quickly lowered, one containing approximately 20 men commandeered by captain Cates, and another with eleven men in it. Captain Gunther and seven other crewmen were left on the bow section of the tanker, which continued to float and showed no signs of sinking. Both lifeboats drifted away from the wreck leaving captain Gunther and seven crewmen alone on the ship bow. At about 15:00 on January 4 Spanish steamer SS Manuel Calvo noticed a floating derelict and closed in to investigate. An attempt was made to lower a lifeboat but as soon as it was lowered, a high wave came in and smashed the lifeboat against the ship's side injuring three men in the process. Due to continuing strong winds and rough seas still present in the area nothing could be accomplished and the vessel left after about an hour of trying. At approximately 05:00 on January 5 German steamer SS Bavaria noticed distress signals and by about 08:00 approached the wreck. By then, the weather had subsided significantly allowing Bavaria to lower a lifeboat and take off all eight men from the fore section of the tanker. British steamer SS Tenadores also arrived at the scene as Bavaria was finishing up the rescue operation and stood by until all survivors were safely on board the German vessel. One lifeboat with eleven men in it was spotted at around 13:20 on January 4 by a lookout from Booth Line steamer SS Gregory. The lifeboat had a