The Birkenhead was a troopship carrying a draft of reinforcements to a number of regiments serving in South Africa; on 26th February 1852 it struck a reef off Simon’s Bay on the South African shark infested coast.
On board were
2 officers and 72 men, 74th Highlanders
1 officer and 70 men, 73rd Regiment
1 officer and 60 men, 91st Highlanders
55 men, 12th Regiment
Smaller drafts for other regiments totalled over 400 men, also on board were their wives and children, all under the command of Colonel Seton of the 74th Highlanders. With their journey almost over, on the evening of the 26th February they struck a sunken rock and immediately started to sink. The troops were assembled on deck and men detailed to assist with the lowering of the three cutters.
A survivor’s account
The situation was now more critical than ever; but the soldiers remained quietly at their places, while Colonel Seton stood in the gangway with his sword drawn, seeing the women and children safely passed down into the second cutter. This duty was speedily effected, and the cutter was ordered to lie off about 150 yards from the rapidly sinking ship. In about ten minutes after she first struck, she broke in two at the foremast- this mast and the funnel falling over the starboard side, crushing many and throwing into the water those who were endeavouring to clear the paddle-box boat. But the men kept their places, though many of them were mere lads, who had been in the service only a few months. An eyewitness, speaking of the captain and Colonel Seton at this time has said- “Side by side they stood at the helm, providing for the safety of all that could be saved. They never tried to save themselves.”
The men behaved as if they were on the parade ground; there was no panic, and the women and children were rowed safely away. Not until then was the order given for every man to save himself. This was, however nearly impossible as, to add to the dangers of drowning, the sea was infested with sharks, and very few of the men on board were rescued. 9 officers and 348 men drowned. It took 25 minutes from the time she struck for the ship to completely break up.
The King of Prussia was so impressed with this perfect example of discipline and self sacrifice that he had an account of it read out to every one of his regiments, on three occasions.