Where does the tradition 'captain goes down with the ship' come from?

Question

Yes I know that.

I mean what are its historical origins.

Answer 1

The Captain is soley responsible for the ship and answerable only to the owners, with regard to the safety of the passengers, crew and cargo.Therefore the Captain resolves to get everyone off the ship safely and is the last to leave or goes down with the ship.

Answer 2

Comes from ultimate responsibility and not abandoning that ever.

Answer 3

Hollywood.   I've worked with a couple captains who have had ships sink under them- one guy had two sink.   They still have responsibility for the crew after the ship sinks and everyone is in liferafts/boats.

Answer 4

the captain is the top dog it is his duty to make sure the craft and its occupents are safe.

its like paying the ultimate penalty for his mistake.

it also comes with women and children first.

Answer 5

perhpas they were afraid they would have to pay for it???

Answer 6

because a captain should never leave the ship,

Answer 7

it comes from the fact that the captain is meant to be the last person off the ship which has led to (a bit wrongly) that the captain is meant to down with his boat

edit - asked and answered my friend its just an unwritten naval law that has been around for ages

Answer 8

The Captain is totally responsible for what happens on his ship. He is ultimately responsible for his ship, and with that responsibility comes power... Captains are called "Gods on their own quarterdecks".  He should be the last man off, as he is legally answerable for what happens to his ship.  Captains in the British Navy were "court-martialed" when their ships were captured by the enemy.  The Captain is, in some almost magical way, identified with the ship.