The Birkenhead Drill
In 1852, the British H.M. Troopship Birkenhead was traveling to South Africa when she hit a ledge and foundered. On board were more than seven hundred men, women, and children. With only twenty minutes left before she would sink, the decision was made to place all women and children aboard the few life boats. The men would remain behind and face the man-eating sharks circling the disaster. Hundreds of men drowned or were eaten alive, but not a single woman or child perished that day. In past years, this story was known by every schoolboy and girl. Now, you can learn about the Birkenhead through this stirring collection of survivor accounts.