 I remained on the wreck until she went down ; the suction took me down some way , and a man got hold of my leg , but I managed to kick him off and came up and struck out for some pieces of wood that were on the water and started for land , about two miles off . I was in the water about five hours , as the shore was so rocky and the surf ran so high that a great many were lost trying to land . Nearly all those that took to the water without their clothes on were taken by sharks ; hundreds of them were all round us , and I saw men taken by them close to me , but as I was dressed ( having on a flannel shirt and trousers ) they preferred the others . I was not in the least hurt , and am happy to say , kept my head clear ; most of the officers lost their lives from losing their presence of mind and trying to take money with them , and from not throwing off their coats . 
