 Captain Murrell ordered the tow line to be cut and ordered that the cargo be thrown overboard.The "Danmark" was told that the "Missouri" using its two life boats would begin the transfer of passengers and crew because the sea conditions would only allow the best of sailors to keep the lifeboats from crashing into the two ships.The second and third officers of the "Missouri" were ordered to begin the transfer, beginning with women and children first, in groups of 22-24.