The film is set during the 1852 sinking of HMS Birkenhead, a Royal Navy troopship. The ship was wrecked on 26 February, 1852 in the vicinity of Gansbaai, South Africa. Due to the lack of enough lifeboats for all passengers, priority on boarding them was given to the women and children on board. 643 people were on board the ship, and only an estimated 193 survived.
Beatrix Templeton's debut.