Why Do Captains Go Down With Their Ships?

[tbarak]

I was reading a book on the Bismark and when she was sunk the captain remained on board and went down with her. Not so sure U-boat Kaleuns did the same, but it seems for surface ships, especially capital ships, the captains always insists on dying when their ships are sunk. Reminds me of WWII Japanese pilots who didn't fly with parachutes.

But I thought a good soldier always knew when to withdraw to fight another day. I mean, most captains have spent decades in the service, they are experienced, and it seems a shame to waste all that just because your ship is destroyed. Is it a written/unwritten rule, something to do with honour, or shame? Doesn't make sense to me. Can anyone shed some light on this matter to help me understand?