Timeline Thursday 26 February 1852

Events on Thursday 26 February 1852 1

• 1852 Sinking of HMS Birkenhead Troopship wreck gives rise to the "women and children first" protocol The British troopship HMS Birkenhead struck rocks off the Cape Colony and sank with heavy loss of life. Soldiers held formation on deck so women and children could board the lifeboats first, an act of discipline that became known as the Birkenhead drill.