National Republican., 1876-08-21
| OFFICIAL.1
NAVY DEPARTMENT, ,

NAVY DEPARThENT,f
WASHINGTON, July q, 1876.
General Order No. 214:
A medal ofhonor is hereby awarded to John
Costello, ordinary seaman of the United States
steamer Hartford, for gallantry in rescuing
from drowning landsman of that vessel, at
Philadelphia, July IL, 1876.
Also to John Lucy, second-class boy of the
United States steamer Minnesota, for heroic
conduct on the occasion of the burning of Cas-
tie Garden at New York, July 9, 1876.
GEORGE NJ. robson,
Secretary of the Navy.
NAVY DEPARTMEYT)
WASHINGTON, August 9, loTo.
General Order No. 2l5:
A medal of honor is hereby awarded to
Charles Giddings, seaman, and William Corey,
landsman, of the United States steamer Ply
mouth, for heroic conduct, for their efforts in
trying to save the life of one of the crew of
that vessel who had fallen from aloft over
board, at the navy yard, New York, July 26,
1876.
Also to Charles Richards, ordinary seaman,
of the United States steamer Plymouth, for
bravery and presence of mind in rescuing from
drowning one of the crew of that vessel, at the
navy yard, New York, July 26, 1876.
Also to Boatswain's Mate, Alexander Parker,
of the United States steamer Portsmouth, for
gallant conduct in attempting to save ship
mate from drowning, at the navy yard, Mare
Island, July 25, 1876.
The Department notes with pleasure the
promptness of Acting Boatswain John Brady,
of the Portsmouth, in jumping overheard to
Secretary of the Navy.
NAVY DEPARrMENT,I
WASHINGTON, Aug. II, 1876.
Before a naval general court-martial, con-
yened at the navy yard at Mare Island, CAL,
on the 31st day of May, 1876, by order of the
Secretary of the Navy, was arraigned and tried
Bancroft Gherardi, a captain in the United
States navy, upon the charge of "causing pun
sons in the navy" which charge consists of
sixteen specifications, each setting forth one
individual case.
Nine of these specifications are found proven,
and of the charge the accused is found
"guilty."
SENTENCE.
"And the court does therefore sentence the
said Bancroft Gherardi, captain in the navy,
to be suspended from duty>for two years, and
to be publicly reprimanded in general orders
by the Hon. Secretary of the Navy"
The Secretary of the Navy reluctantly ap-
proves the proceedings, finding and sentence,
because he deems the sentence inadequate to
the crime proven.
In reprimanding Captain Gherardi, the Sec
retary of the Navy reminds him, and the SER
vice at large, that no officer should abuse his
lawful authority; far less should any officer set
the example, as in this case, of a willful and
deliberate violation of law of laws enacted
to prevent the fnfiction of cruel and barbarous
forms of punishment. No commander of a
naval vessel who thus sets the example of mis-
conduct can expect to secure the respect or
obedience of the officers and men who are
placed under his command, or the confidence
of the Navy Department.
Captain Bancroft Gherardi, U. S. Navy,
will, in conformity with his sentence, be sus-
pended from duty for two years from the date
of this order.
1t is further ordered that this general order
on board every naval vessel in commission.
GEO. NJ. robson,
Secretary of the Navy.