g description of the disaster:
"Within eight minutes the Hawke had gone under. Had the ship gone down
forward or aft there would have been some chance for us to get the boats
out and clear of the cruiser, but she keeled over on her beam ends, and
so of all boats we lowered those on the starboard side were useless, and
those on the port side were crushed as soon as they touched the water.

"I was proud to be among such comrades. Everything was absolutely in
perfect order. When the ship was struck a fearful explosion followed,
and grime and dust were everywhere. I was amidships at the time, and
could hardly see to grope my way to the ship's side. I heard orders
given to lower the boats, and then some one shouted, 'Look after
yourselves!' So I did that.

"Most of the men on board were married men. We saw hundreds in the
water, but we were afraid to pick them up as our boat was already
overcrowded. So we threw our lifebelts to them. It was all we could do.

"The weather was bitter cold, and I do not think that many, apart from
those who were landed at Aberdeen, were saved."

Here is the statement of a rescued stoker: "When the explosion occurred
I, along with others who were in the engine room, was sent flying into
space and was stunned for a time. When I came to my senses I found
myself in the midst of what must be described as an absolute inferno.
One of the cylinders of the engine had been completely wrecked, and
steam was passing out in dense, scalding clouds. The horror of the
situation was increased when a tank of oil fuel caught fire, and the
flames advanced with frightful rapidity.

"Seeing that there was not a ghost of a chance of doing any good by
remaining in what was obviously a deathtrap, I determined to make a dash
for it, and I scrambled up an iron ladder to the main deck. All this had
happened in less time than it takes to tell it, but such is British
pluck, coolness, and nerve even in such a situation that the commander
and other officers were on the bridge, and as calmly as if we were on
fleet manoeuvres the orders were given and as calmly obeyed.

"The buglers sounded a stiff call which summoned every man to remain at
his post. During the first minute or two many of us believed all that
was wrong was a boiler explosion, but the rapidity with which the
cruiser was making water on the starboard side quickly disabused all our
minds of this belief. Realizing the actual situation, the commander gave
orde