 Just before she sank , Salmond called out that " all those who can swim jump overboard , and make for the boats " . Colonel Seton , however , recognising that rushing the lifeboats would risk swamping them and endangering the women and children , ordered the men to stand fast , and only three men made the attempt . The cavalry horses were freed and driven into the sea in the hope that they might be able to swim ashore . 
