LAST VOYAGE: On Monday 23 February 1852, the Birkenhead arrived in Simon's Town at about 10:00 . Most the women and children and a few sick soldiers disembarked for the base camp at Wynberg. 9 horses and bales of fodder were stowed on deck, due to the limited space below. At 18:00 on Wednesday, 25 February 1852 the Birkenhead left Simon's Town on her voyage to Algoa Bay and East London. The sea was calm and the weather fine as the she steamed across False Bay at 8,5 knots, swinging east past Cape Hangklip towards Walker Bay. Captain Salmon decided to take a course fairly close to the coast. Look-outs watched for signs of the coast and depth measurements were taken. The rhythmic thump of the paddle wheels soon lulled to sleep those below. [BACKGROUND] [HER LAST VOYAGE] [FATAL BLOW] [HUMAN ERROR] [PROCEDURE] [WOMEN & CHILDREN] [ORDER & DISCIPLINE] [SHARK ATTACK] [RESCUE]