HUMAN ERROR: Soon after striking and remaining stuck on the pinnacle of the submerged rock, the captain ordered the Birkenhead to put astern to reverse the paddles in an attempt to drag the ship off the rock. This only made the situation worse as it tore the bottom open even further and soon the fore part of the ship broke off and sank. The ship was rolling heavily at the time and the horses were kicking and plunging frantically, and were experiencing difficulty remaining upright on the heavily listing deck. The new inrush of water swamped the boiler fires so there was also no power. The ship was now entirely at the mercy of the Atlantic Ocean, and it was clear to all that the ship was going to sink at any moment. [BACKGROUND] [HER LAST VOYAGE] [FATAL BLOW] [HUMAN ERROR] [PROCEDURE] [WOMEN & CHILDREN] [ORDER & DISCIPLINE] [SHARK ATTACK] [RESCUE]