Birkenhead Drill
Introduction
Birkenhead Drill is
a story of extravagant deed of heroism and shvarism shown by the soldiers of
British 963Army. The Birkenhead Drill was a troop ship, which come across with
sudden accident which has brought a dramatic change in the life of soldiers.
Birkenhead Drill means Women and Children First is the order followed on all ships that are in danger. Birkenhead Drill means today to stand be still facing certain death so that the weaker ones may have a chance of life.
Birkenhead Drill means Women and Children First is the order followed on all ships that are in danger. Birkenhead Drill means today to stand be still facing certain death so that the weaker ones may have a chance of life.
“Some people born
great
Some people have greatness
Some people achieve greatness
We should make our lifes sublime”
Some people have greatness
Some people achieve greatness
We should make our lifes sublime”
Summary
Birkenhead Drill
was a military ship. In February 1851, it was going to South Africa with troops
and their families. There were a total of six hundred and thirty people on
board out of which one hundred and seventy were women and children. The rest
were inexperienced military men and officers. At 2 a.m. on 25th February, when
this ship was near Cape Town, it strokes a massive rock that was not shown on
any of the maps. This sudden jerk broke the ship into two pieces. The front
half soon sank but the hind half stayed afloat. Most of the people manage to
reach the rear part. There were only 3 lifeboats left undamaged with a capacity
of 60 persons per boat. Only 180 people could be saved in this way. The others
would draw because the damaged military ship could not float much longer. This
situation should have caused a panic on the ship. Unlike other happenings,
there was no panic or confusion in the boat. The trained soldiers managed
complete discipline and were successful in transferring some women and children
into the lifeboats. The captain and soldiers stood line by line as if they were
on their daily drill. Every one was loyal to his duty and himself. A commander
set an example by giving his life for two young soldiers. When the commander was
hanging on to some piece of wood, he saw two young soldiers struggling in the
water. He allowed them to hold on wreckage. But the commander realized that the
wreckage could not bear the weight of the three persons so he let go his hold
and went into the water for ever. Due to complete management of discipline, 194
people were saved but 436 men drowned forever in the deep waters. Moral The
undiminished order of the soldiers presented in the article reflects the
quality of sacrifice and devotion in mankind. We should stand till facing
certain fate so that the weak ones may have a chance to live. This has been
known as Birkenhead Drill since then.
“DUTY, THAT WHICH
STERNLY IMPELS US IN THE DIRECTION OF PROFIT, ALONG THE LINE OF DESIRE.”
____________________________________________________________
Ambrose Bierce
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