The New York herald., 1876-11-04
COMMANDER SENNEy TRIAL.
Charges Of Cruelty to His Men and
lncOmpetency.
HIS PAST RECORD.
Story Of What Transpired on Board
the Alaska.


The court Of Inquiry appointed BY Tho Navy DO
partment 70 investigate charges preferred BY the
surgeon OF the United States sloop-of-war Alaska
Dr. Bradley against The commander OF that vessel
Alexander II. Semmes. for alleged cruelty and incon-
potency, have reported back tho department, and
Commander Scmmes is now being tried by court
tiai on the charges preferred.
In connection with this ira! the following story Of
what transpired board the Alaska during her last
cruise may prove interesting
The Alaska returned to this country In September
last from three years cruise the Mediterranean
About year ago Captain Scmmcs took command OF
her, and according 10 the statements below no
sustained the reputation no had previously earned
cruelty 10 the men under bis command. The hrst
trouble originated on TRIP from the Gaboon RIVER
the coast OF Africa, to the Maderas The vessel wns
disabled while a, sea by breaking hcr engines,
sixtyeight days in making the passage distance OF
about $500 miles. The vessel short OF provisions
OF the delay caused by the accidcn, and all
hands were put on
RATioSs.
During that trip the became very dissatisfied
OF the heavy drilling they had undergo and
the constant work they werc compelled do in the
heat Of she day, when oven existence uncomfort-
able Al this limo Lieutenant Commander McCurlcy
the executive officer, account OF the death Of
W. x. Wheeler which occurred whc the vessel was
Caboon Every board believed he had given
entire satisfaction TO both officers and men, but on
arriving At vilofranchc, France, he was suspended
from duty by Admiral Worden and ordered home ~ q
passenger on board the Alaska II is said.
and was generally believed, that his suspension
was tho result of charges preferred against
him by Commander Semmss for incompc,ency.
At the same time Captain Brown, OF tho marines vas
reported 10 tho Secretary OF the Navy by Commandsr
Semmes for disrcspcct to his commanding officer.
From villefranche the vessel proceeded 10 Genoa.
whore she underwent repairs. 1t stated shat some
threo weeks before he reported for dssrespcct
Captain Brown forwarded to the Secretary the Navy
charges OF cruelty against Com nmander Semmes, and
that Surgeon Bradley had also forwarded charges OF
the same nature Lieutenant Commander McCurlcy
added further charges OF incompetency. her trip
down the coast OF Africa TO adjust the troubles be-
tween the Greboes trlbo and the Lberians at Capc
Palmas
THE ALASKA RAN ASHORE
and seriously damaged her keel The thing hap
pened TO her oil Nantucket on her return this
country, and these occurrences be the charges
OF ncompetency aeainst Captain Semmes
MEN
1t Is said that during bis command or the Alaska |
Commander seinines worked ms men very sevcrcly
compelling them drill aot hottest part OF the
day, aud punIshng the most r,nng offences with The
greatest severity In number of instances men wcre
cOnined IN double irons and compelledt stand their
feet from i've O'Clock IN the morning ull ten O'Clock
night for in,oxication or misbehavor OF any kind,
extra duty or prva:lon IRON going ashore when I
in por'. The. irons used were what are
iron bar with handcur on each end 50 |.
as to compel the prisoner keep both hands in the
task. From ten al night to tive in the morning the
prisoner was allowed to lie around the boards but
not permitted 70 go TO his bunk Another instance Of
the way the men we're treated Is related . country
boy, who wns a sailor on board tho Alaska lie was
rather slow IN obcying order when Master wnslow
the officer Of the oeck,
GmApnrp HIN ny rmE THROAT
and threw him down upon the deck The was
reported to Commander 5cmmce and also to Admiral
Worden, bat no action taken in the matter
When Commander Semmcs arrived here he knew
nothing OF the charges which had been mado ayn,ns,
him. The court martial which Is trying Senimes
will also investigate the charges against Lieutenant
Commander Mccurcy and Cap,un Brown, mndc by
him.
COMMANDER sKxmKs RECORD
In January, 1872. the Navy Department published
October, 1871, the trial OF Commander Alexander
H. scmmcs OF The steamship Portsmouth, on the io-
lowing charges:
Frs-lnnlc,,ng cruel and unlawful punishment on
persons unuer his command
Second. nd.-Abusc o; his Official power.
trd-Opprcssve ana nhuman conduct unbecom-
ing an offcer and gentleman
VI eaca and all OF these charges he found guilty
and the Court sentenced HIM be suspended IRON
duty and rank for thrce years, and be reprmandcd
In general order from The Secretary the Navy.
The following the reprnund pronounced upon h,m
by the Secretary y:-.Commandcr se,nmcs has been
found guilty by court composed OF fellow officers
of permitting and innic.ing punishmcnts unauthorized
and illegal and, IN some ms anccs, cruel; and he
stands before tho department and the and be-
lore the country
not only OF the grave error Of mstaking severity for
discipline but OF the crimc OF dsregardng the legal
rights aud immunitics OF the men made dependent
upon him Tor tho enjoyment OF those rights and
tor common justice, and OF punshiug them direct
violation OF the provisions OF the law BY which aone
he was authorized TO inct any punishment whatever
Such action cannot be justified by any conditions and
will not be tolerated under any circumstances md the
sentence Of the court In this instance must bc sus
tnined, not only as a punishment 10 Commander
Semmes, hut IN the hope that u may operate as |
warning TO all who. entrusted, like him. with autho-
rity arc, like him. found be unm,ndui or reckless
Of the rights OF those who placed under them and
to giyc assurance the and me country
that every such instance, when clearly established
will bo
SEVERELY PUNISHED
The service must understand and appreciate fact
that IT'S officers authority to its enlisted
that IL the interest OF all officers as we'll as their
enacted for their guidance rho dealt very lcn
by tho sonviction that bravo and Jealous ocsr has
cplne. Had II pronounced much scvcrcr sentence
only remains for TO declare that the finding ami SEN
tence of the court approved and will carried into
eject and that this ordcr will be published and tho