In Erik Larson's book "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania," he recounts the harrowing experiences of those aboard the doomed ship. Among the survivors was Morton, who described a moment of extreme urgency when survival instinct kicked in. Faced with the threat of drowning, even those who might not normally be agile found themselves capable of remarkable feats, such as jumping significant distances to escape danger.

Morton's reflection on this experience underscores the human capacity to rise to challenges when survival is at stake. His statement highlights how dire circumstances can push ordinary people to perform extraordinary actions, revealing a fundamental aspect of human nature in the face of adversity.