Between Stars (1951)
I found a reference to a dedicated self-destruct mechanism in <PERSON> 1951 novel. Not a "sequence" of events, but a dead man's switch that is assigned to a crew member to ensure the destruction of the ship if needed.
<PERSON>’s battle station was a saddle amidships, back of the pilots’ chairs – the “dead man’s” seat. Here he guarded a springloaded demolition switch, a type of switch known through the centuries as a “dead-man” switch for the contrary reason that it operated only if its operator were dead.
At first drill <PERSON> got the others squared away, then came back to <PERSON>’s station. “You savvy what you are to do, <PERSON>?”
“Sure. I throw this switch to arm the bomb, then I hang onto the dead-man switch.”
“No, no! Grab the dead-man switch first – then close the arming switch!”
“Yes, sure. I just said it backwards.”
“Be sure you don’t do it backwards! Just remember this, Lieutenant: if you let go, everything does.”
“Okay. Say, <PERSON>, this thing triggers an A-bomb – right?”
“Wrong. We should waste so much money! But the load of H.E. [high explosives?] in there is plenty for a little can like this, I assure you. So, anxious as we are to blow up this packet rather than let it be captured, don’t let go of that switch otherwise. If you feel a need to scratch, rise above it.”
Captain <PERSON> came aft and with a motion of his head sent <PERSON> forward. He spoke to <PERSON> in a low voice, such that his words did not reach the others. “<PERSON>, are you satisfied with this assignment? You don’t mind it?”
“No, I don’t mind,” <PERSON> answered. “I know the others all have more technical training than I have. 417
This is my speed.”
“That’s not what I mean,” the Captain corrected. “You could fill any of the other seats, except mine and Dr. <PERSON>’s. I want to be sure you can do this job.”
“I don’t see why not. Grab onto this switch, and then close that one-and hang on for dear life. It sure doesn’t take any higher mathematics to do that.”
“That’s still not what I mean. I don’t know you, <PERSON>. I understand you have had combat experience. These others haven’t – which is why you have this job. Those who do know you think you can do it. I’m not worried that you might forget to hang on; what I want to know is this: if it becomes necessary to let go of that switch, can you do it?”
<PERSON> answered almost at once – but not before there had been time for him to think of several things – Dr. <PERSON>, who had almost certainly suicided, not simply died – Old <PERSON> with his mouth quivering but his cleaver hand steady and sure – and an undying voice ringing through the fog, “Venus and Freedom!”.
“Guess I can if I have to.”
“Good. I’m by no means sure that I could. I’m depending on you, sir, if worse comes to worst, not to let my ship be captured.” 417