The New York herald., 1877-12-19
THE LOST HURON.

REPORT OF COMMANDER GREEN CONCERNING
HIS OPERATIONS IN THE RECOVERY AND
BURIAL OF BODIES.
WASHINGTON Dec Is, 1877.
Tho following is the report OF Commander Green,
detailing his operations attending TO the search,
recovery and burial OF those lost by tho Huron wreck
and other movements OF the expedition, to the
OF the wreck, under his commando
UNITED STATES NAVY YARDl
NoKroLK, Va, Dec. H. 1877
STR-In obedience TO orders IRON Captain w. T.
Truxton, United States Navy. acting commandant OF
this station, dated November 21 1871 proceeded TO
Charles A. Clark, United states Navy: Fire. Lieu.
tenant +. II. Harrington, United States Marine Corps,
and Assistant surgeon George Arthur United States
Navy with thirteen sailors and marines. on my
rival there proceeded immediately 10 the sceno
Huron, and found the bodies OF two men
Carson and Armstrong; that had Just been brought
on shore from the wreck had them buried. and
learning at the same time that other bodies had been
found further north, lett Lieutenant Harrington and
Assistant Surgeon Arthur and The marines at the
wreck, 10 take chnrgo OF anything OF value that
might como ON shore, and started with Mr.. Clark
and i've sailors survivors from tho Huron, up the
coast AS proceeded up the beach found bodies
scattered along, from one miles apart for
distance oil forty miles from the scene the wreck.
examined, IN ALL the bodies OF eign officers
hve men, identify Dg eight officers and men
All tho bodies were buried at the poles oil the govern
ment telegraph line, the poles being nembrred sys-
tematicaly, the number OF miles from Norfolk beng
designated by numerals, ana the poles in each mile
by Roman characters.
Having examined all the bodies that could hear OF
as having come on shore, reported the tact by lee-
graph 10 Captain Truxton and 10 the honorable Scc-
rotary OF the Navy and returned to Eap,s Head TO
await further Instructions All the bodies recovered
In advanced state OF decomposition, render
inr metallic cases necessary for Transportation. only
oil the bodies could be Identified by their features
tho others by marks on their bodies and clothes.
On the lith INST | received a telegram IRON the
honorable Secretary OF the Navy, authorizing me 10
return to Norfolk with the whole party. lott inme-
diately, arriving hcre the 18th, bringing the body
OF Charles Chapman pay master s ye0man, from
tho wreck by tho divers
l feel indebted 10 the members OF tho Palmer
Island and Currtuck Lighthouse clubs, and particu-
larry TO tho keeper OF The Curr. tuck Beach light.
house (Mr. Burroughs and family Tor their Kindness
and hospitality 70 myself and party. Nj. William I.
Brinkey OF Nag's Head, and Messra Baum and Poynoc
oil Currtnck, did everything IN their power assist
me- as well as the keepers OF lie saving stations
Before closing my report would respectfully cali
your favorable attention to the conduct OF Mastcr
Charles A. Clark United States Navy. He was over
jealous vgilant md ndciatgab Ia tho discharge OF
his laborious duties, while assisting during my
stay on tho beach, and. also my thanks duo
10 Lieutenant +. ii. Harrington, United Statos
Marine Corps, and Assistant surgeon Arthur Tor
their untiring efforts 10 assist me In every way
their power Tho marines rendered efficient service
in parong the beach night and day Tor distance OF
sevon miles north and south of the wreck. The
sailors who were with me did their duty
In conveying and identifying tho bodies chcertuy
under all circumstances, particularly Samuel Clark
70. s. f. Fl by whom most OF tho bodies iden-
titled, he having marked a. great muny with india Ink
ana recognized the marks wnonever found. euclosc
list OF tho graves, also chart giving tho LOCALITY of
each grave very respectfully, your oocdient servant
JAMES G. GREEN,
Lieutenant Commander United States Navy,
To Commodore j. BLAkELY CREIGHTON. United States
Navy, commanding Naval Station, Norfolk, Va
REPORT OF THE NAVAL COURT OF INQUIRY
COMMANDER RYAN PRIMARILY RESPONSE
BLE--wANT OF sEAMANsHIP MANIFESTED
CONDITION OF THE SHIP.
WASHINGTON, Dec lS, 1877.
Tho opinion Of the Naval Court OF Inquiry on the
Huron disaster has been promulgated by tho Secretary
OF the Navy. They give synopsis OF all testimony
taken the Of the inquiry, and refer rcquent ty
to II In their findings. Their conclusions are that
Commander Ryan vas primarily responsible for tho
loss of that vessel, and that Lieutenant Palmer, the
navigating officer, mado errors In navigation; also
that the deck officers the night Of her loss might
have been at fault in not asccraning the accuracy
the perpendicular soundings reported TO them from
time to time.
Tho Court says the commanding oflcor Of q vessel
is It's supreme authority, and that any accident 90
ours by reason OF his not having asccrtained accu
ra,cly tho denccttons OF the compass from any in
fucnce of tho ship Itself ne bo held responsible
for that want Of care.
WANT OF sEAnAssHIP
In their finding they refer frequently to matters
that were brought out in tho testimony, giving cvi.
dencs Of want OF seamanship on the ill.fa,ed
wltnc to the actual course In which the vessel
was laid is referred TO- one witness tcstying that
course southeast by cast one-quartcr cast and
the other that her southeast by
quarter east, making discrepancy OF half point In
| her course, which would have material effect in
connection with tho inset OF the current upon
the ships headway As ono instance OF OF good
seamanship they say tnata vessel going upon such
coast with sucn a lee shore near should have
been sailed with steam and sail, the Hitting Of tho
| sails would incline tho helmsman to keep her tu
which, in connection with tho insct, would set hei
| still moro to l0e ward.
They find, with the exceptions noted other officer
man tho vessel WAS responsible Tor tho disaster
CONDITION or THE SHIP.
The ship Is reported TO have been every respect
well found, staunch and seaworihy, and she IN
that condition up 10 the time che struck Her engines
until after she struck, when, the sand beating uI
to her storm the wrench OF her shaft OF line
| prevented the revolution OF her propeller.
CONDUCT OF THg GREW.
They find that one OF tho survivors from the
wreck has any complaint to make against any Office,
man upon the vessel for want OF hearty co-opcra
tion loyal assistance in the midst OF tho perls
which surrounded them. aud find that every was
cool, ready, willing and bravo up to the last moment