Xi English Question 3 - Reference to the Context from Prose Lines - Birkenhead Drill

Reference
The lines given for explanation has been taken from Asok Readers, Book III. The lines given for explanation are an extract from the lesson, Pakistan Zindabad that has been taken from Quaid-e-Azam, by John Walton.

Introduction
Birkenhead Drill is a story of extravagant deed of heroism and shvarism shown by the soldiers of British Army. 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.

“SOME PEOPLE BORN GREAT

SOME PEOPLE HAVE GREATNESS

SOME PEOPLE ACHIEVE GREATNESS

WE SHOULD MAKE OUR LIFES SUBLIME”

Lines
“IT LAY HIDDEN UNDER THE------------------- ALL UNCONSCIOUS OF ITS FATE.”

Explanation
A troop ship Birkenhead, was heading towards Capetown in South Africa. It was carrying 630 British soldiers and their families. The Birkenhead was almost at the end of its uneventful journey. But alas! It was destined to be destroyed in the near future. Forty miles before Capetown, was a rock, which was hidden under the surface of the sea. This rock was unknown in 1851. Hence it was not shown in any of the maps of the sea. The Birkenhead was heading straight for it, all ‘unconscious of its fate’. It was about 2 a.m. in the early hours of morning, when this terrible accident took place. The author has used a lovely simile, in comparing the hidden rock, to a wild animal of the sea, who is lying in wait, for its victim. The unfortunate victim (Birkenhead), being blissfully unaware of its fate, that it was destined to be doomed, soon. Whatever the staff on board the Birkenhead might be thinking at that moment, no one had the idea that very soon they were going to meet their end. That the Birkenhead would collide against the hidden rock and that, most of them would die.




Lines
“ANY PASSENGER WHO COULD NOT --------------------- ONCE WHO MIGHT FALL INTO THE WAVES.”

Explanation
In the above extract, the author states that after the Birkenhead had been destroyed, by crushing against the hidden rock most of the life boats were either destroyed completely or badly damaged. Only three lifeboats were in a useful condition. Each life boat could carry about 60 passengers, which meant the lives of only 180 passengers could be saved. In the given passage the author states that, one who could not get a place in one of the life boats fared certain death – death by drowning or worse. The sea was alive with sharks. Their cruel and fearful jaws awaited the unfortunate ones, who might fall into the sea. There was no hope of any ones survived, who might fell into the sea waves.




Lines
“BIRKENHEAD DRILL – WOMEN AND CHILDREN--------------- WEAKER ONES MAY HAVE A CHANCE OF LIFE."

Explanation
‘Birkenhead Drill’ is an order, which was given by the commander of the troops. It was given in the face of utter crises. The lives of over 600 passengers were at stake on he line. It was a crisis of the highest magnitude. The commander wanted to save the lives of 170 women and children. So he ordered his men, to stand in proper drill formation, and form queues. The soldiers obeyed the call of their commander and sacrificed their lives for a noble cause – the 170 precious lives of women and children. It has now become customary for the captain of the ship to say ‘Birkenhead Drill’ whenever a ship is in danger. This is the signal for the crew of the ship to stand at attention and save the lives of the weaker ones – the women, children and the sick.