SHARK ATTACK: The Birkenhead sank within about 20 minutes of striking the rock. Only the topmast and topsail were visible above the water. The rigging was crowded with desperate men. The bow broke after about 12 minutes, then the vessel broke in two abaft the engine-room, whereafter the stern sank immediately.The sea was full of men desperately reaching out to anything that could float. Some men caught hold of pieces of the wreck, whilst others hung onto the paddle-box boats turned keel uppermost. Death by drowning came quickly to most of them. Legend has it that some were taken by Great White Sharks ; and even today the locals in Gansbaai call this specific shark the "Tommie-haai" (Tommy Shark), after the Tommys who were killed by sharks.   [BACKGROUND] [HER LAST VOYAGE] [FATAL BLOW] [HUMAN ERROR] [PROCEDURE] [WOMEN & CHILDREN] [ORDER & DISCIPLINE] [SHARK ATTACK] [RESCUE]