The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-06

experienced ut the hands OF those whose sympathes
Mr.. Calvin found The body OF Captain Ryan at mid
night aud was Obliged to carry II some way aud secure
transportation for II on his own account.
PAyMAsTER CARY n. SAUNDERS HIS FUNERAL
YESTERDAY IN PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 8. 1877.
The funeral ceremonies OF Passed Assistant Paymas
ter Cary N SAUNDERS late OF the United States
Huron, took place this morning, from his late resi-
dencc, South Fifteenth street The services
conducted ny Rav. William Ruddcr, Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church. The body was In handsome cas-
ket and covered with floral offerings oil beautiful de-
signs. large number OF tho officers OF tho Navy
and Marine corps were present, among whom
Naval Station, League Island; Pay Director Quick,
Paymastcr Petit, Passed Assistant Surgeon street,
Commodore stevens, Chief Engineer McEiSell Lieu
tenants Paul, Aibouc. Forsyth, Thomas aud stevens,
OF the United states Navy Chef Engineer Tho npson,
Paymasters York ana Addicks anu Surgeon Pcnrose
There also present company Of marines under
Lieutenant Allen.
rho paIlbearers were Messrs. W. WEIGH, Jr.; s.
Meade, Young ii. Thuron J. r. Newbold, ii. T. n.
Dickson. and Paymustcrs Lyle and McD MEL, OF tho
United States Navy.
Alter services a, the Episcopal Church the funeral
corcgc proceeded to Woodland Cemetery, where mill
tary honors wero gwen 10 the dead
FUNERAL OF LIEUTENANT s. A. sIMoNs AT
STATEN ISLAND.
Tho officers Of the navy and marine corps Of this
station Will assemble at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at
half past eleven o'clock this morning for the urposc
Of escortinp the OF the late Lieutenant Sidney
A. Simons to their last resting place Staten Island
THE HURoN's coMpAssEs-wAs THERE AN Ex-
TnAoRpINARY DEVIATION DUE TO LOCAL
MAGNETISM ?-opINloN OF THE BoATswAIN's
MAIZE OF THE UNITED STATES STEAMER
powHArAN.
UNITED STATES STEAMER PowHArAM
FORTRESS MONROE, Va, Dec. 2, 1871
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
As the HERALD is always foremost In the search or
truth aud knowledge hope that you will give the FOL
lowing place in your columns
In reference to the loss tho Untcd States steamer
Huron various suggestions are madc but IN none Of
them have seen any mention made OF the probable
change OF "local deviation" OF the compasses II Is
u wcltknown TACT that the local deviation Of
the compasscs OF iron ships will often ma
tcrally change ON different courses during voyage
from OF the local deviation found the
passes adjusted and. again in high WINGS charged
with electricity have experienced difficulty with the
compasscs OF iron ships. Therefore, Il Is no
use for people repeating about the huron steer
ing course OF south and by east halt easts&r..
unlcAs they produce the table Of local dev-
alton OF her compass. II Is question whether the
officers saved can, from memory clear up that doubt
In all probability, whom local deviation was allowed
tho Huron was stsercd 4 course which, Ia the judy
ment Of her commander would carry tho ship cear Of
all DANGER but slight change the local deviation
on uark night caused the catastrophe. For the
benefit VI the readers OF the HERALD, who may not be
cODversant with the magnetism Of the compass OF
iron ships, Will simply pate that served board
oil an ir0n steamer the CITY OF Pcklng) whose
deviation OF 'he compasses changed three d,ier-
ent limos on her passage from New York to
San francisco, II well verified by tho
cross bearings OF headlands, celestial observations,
&c., aud noticed IN high winds charged with electricity
when the ship headed TO The south ana east there
difficulty with the steering conpassea So great In
fuence does the hull OF ship xert upon
the passes that II may DC told years ufcrward In
what direction the Keel laid At the time OF build
Ing and again. there are So many thousand rivcts IN
the made 0t macaDle iron that having struck
with highly tempered steel hammers become highly
magnetic therefore each rvet becomes magnet sub
ject to change according 10 time, electricity In the
sky, &c Again, the heel or inclination OF the shp has
u marked influence upon tho compasses OF iron ships
Take as an example the great loss OF iron SHIPS
in the Engsh aud irish channels that have
ton the captains could not be condemned for incapac
ny nor criminal negligence. l wish TO know If tho
magnetic telegraph on shore 10 Influenced by mag
ne,ic storms why should not the magnetism OF the
mariners compass be affected by the same agency,
especially when IL Is surrounded by such mass Of
from Tho HERALD spoke volumes when IL sad 'sfhc
sailor who hugs the shore courts death" Yet in the
OF the Huron, before any OF your readers con
demns hcr officers, Let HIM THINK anu explain some Of
the foregoing remarks, and remember that the CON-
mander Of the Huron was well known as highly
scientific, cautious md steady oflccr therefore ask
the name OF the dead, unpfc ju Iced udgmenL
JOHN BELL
Boatswain,s Mate. u. 5. 3. Powhatan