The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-11

The Reported Tidinss from tho Missing
Leyass FaIse-1he ssSurvivor'' a Crazy
Tnr-Naval Items-visit 70 the S.hoolship
Mercury.
week or two since an extraordinary ana
startling statement appeared in the press, TO the
eect that at last some trace had been found OF the
unfortunate sloopof-war Levant which was lost on
her way to the United States from the Pacific squad
ron ten years or more ago. The Leyant was a
twentYgun sailing ship and had served three years
In the Pacific squadron. and was last seen In some
port on the coast OF South America. we believe
but from the time other departure homeward bound
not single syllable has ever been heard concerning
her fate. All that Is known is that she never came
into port again. and after long time her name and
the names OF her officers and men were removed
from the register and placed among the missing"
Various speculatlons were INDUCED In by naval Of
ncers ard others at the time CONCERNING her final
fate, but no satisfactory conclusion reached.
Some thought she was capsized In gale OF
wind ana foundered with all on board. Others
believed that she iad been wrecked on some distant
island far away from the usual track or vessels,
ana that finally tldlngs OF the survivors would reach
home. But no tldingS ever came ard the great
ocean gave forth sign TO clear up the fearful
mystery. In time the names OF the wives and chill
dren Of the ofilcers and men were placed upon the
pension list ana The OF the Leysnt passed from
the minds Of all but those who were Immediately
interested IN her fate.
United states OF person who claimed 10 be John
Jarvis, carpenter Of the Leyant, and the only sur
vivor OF It's gallant crew, painfully awakened an In
rerest 10 the almost forgotten ship and revived
memories mat mad been sumbering for years The
story OF the carpenter was that after the less OF the
Levanb III q terrible gale or wind ne was the sole
survivor, and was drfted ashore upon snap
island ia the Pacific where he remained until a
short time since, when he was discovered
by the crew of vessel touching at THIS Mpfrc-
quented spot, and was taken on finally making his
way safely 10 Norfolk, va, Where ne revealed him
he was clothed rs United States sailor and In this
gulse made his way 20 the house formerly occupied
by The family or The missing Jarvis Here he re-
presented himself as John JARVIS, the carpenter
OF the Levant, which sailed from Norfolk many
years before. He said he was on board OF
ner when she went down at sea, and told
the story that we have outlined above with many
minute details concerning places and men. His
familiarity with the premises and with the names OF
the family, together with some personal peculiar
ties which Jarvis was noted for, induced the occu-
pants VI the house to place credit In his representa-
lions. These peculiar circumstances were brought
60 The attention Of Jarvis brother and his brother
1n-law, and the former saw the reputed survivor,
hut ala not recognize III him the lost man.
With others In Portsmouth he was more successful
In imposing on their credulity as he induced them
10 accept MN az their "long lost friend" Finally
the report Of the arrival OF survivor OF the missing
ship got into tue papers, and letters began to how
quirng for further details or the wonderful
ton rom the sea. Inquiry was tnen made and the
sole survivors, was finally found in the Naval
Asylum, suffering from sickness comrade
or his volunteered the information that
he knew 'Jm Robinson, OF Pennsylvania, -
as he was registered on the books or the hospital,
ana ne knew he was not the original Jarvis. The
surgeon asked the survivor 10 his claim TO the
name OF Jarvis and he replied that ne .was only
playing lark on the people, The Old salt Is OF
unsound mind and doubtless did not realize the ma.
ture OF his practical joke when he started story
That las revived painful memories and opened again
HELD OF speculation That IL at once mOurnful and
Unsatisfactory The last gieam Of hope for the safety
OF any one aboard the Inflated Levant died out
years ago. She has passed into the record or the
missing and shall never be heard OF more.
The sloop-Of-war Narraganset Lieutenant Com
mander George Dewey mas been m0Ored below the
Wall street Terry, on the Brooklyn side, IN winter
quarters where she Is out OF the route OF passing
vessels and keep clear Of collisions. The Nara
ganSet will serve as Rear Admiral SilaS II. String
hams flagship during the winter
The sidewheel steamer Gettysburg, captured
blockade runner, built on the Clyde and very fast
has been hauled out OF Rotten Row, AT the Brooklyn
Navy Yard, and Will soon be reftted, probably TO
take the place OF the Fr0lc as regular guardship Of
New York.
Quite number OF the officers OF the Brooklyn
Yard, including Captains Woolsey and Clitz Com
manders Braine, Harmony and Chandler; Lieuten-
ant Commander Hatfield, Paymaster Cunningham
and others, visited the schOolshp Mercury, Captain
Pierre Graud on Wednesday last, OF Harris Island
invitation OF the Commissioners Of Charities and
Correction. General Bowen Mr. Isaac Bell and Mr..
q. W. Blunt escorted the party winch witnessed the
exercises OF the young mariners, examined the ship
and lunchec comfortably on board All were very
much pleased with the appearance of the ship and
It's youthful crew, and spoke in high terms Of the
system so happily naugurated by the Commission
ers and carried On by the experienced commander
nj