Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-22

with the rest Let no one call this rash. idle or
vain; 1t was conduct the most loyal, noble and
true. The names of this brave crew have not
been given. else should suggest the propriety
of making some formal acknowledgment of the
high appreciation in which such devotion 10
duty and such conduct are held by the depart
ment.
am aware that these men do not belong to
the navy. but they are American seamen. molly
doing their duty under the American dag. and
adding luster to it by their deeds Whether of
the naval or of the merchant service such con-
duct should not go unrequited by the govern
ment. During the lowering of the boats and
the embarhatlon of the women and children
there was As much discipline preserved among
the crew OF that ship, and as much order OBJ
served among her passengers. as was ever wit
messed on board the best regulated man-of-war.
The law requires every commander in the
navy TO show in himself good example of vir-
tue and patriotism; and never was example
more nobly sent or beautifully followed. Capt.
Hernd0n, by those noble traits which have so
endeared his mem DRY to the hearts of his coun-
trymen. had won the respect and admiration OF
the crew and passengers of that ship in. such a
degree as to acquire an influence over them
that was marvellous in its effects. The women
felt its force. Calm and reso,ute themselves,
they encouraged and cheered the men at the
pumps and in the gangways and, finally, to
Herndons last appeal for one more effort. they
rose superior to their sex, and proposed to go
on deck themselves and with fair hands and
feeble arms there do mans work in battling
with the tempest.
There We're many touching incidents of the
most heroic personal devotion to duty and to
him during that dreadful storm. Even after the
ship had gone down. and her passengers were
left in the water ciinging by whatever they could
lay hands on, offices of knightly courtesy were
passed among them. As one of the last boats
was about to leave the ship her commander gave
his watch to passenger, with request that it
might be delivered to his wife. He wished to
charge him with message for her Also but his
utterance was choked. Tell her" Unable
to proceed he bent down his head and buried
his face in his hands for moment. as II in
prayer, for he was devout man and true Chris
tian. In that moment. brief ii was he en-
dured the gre 1test agony But it was over now.
His crowding thoughts no doubt had been of
friends and home: its deSOlation. a beloved wife
and lovely daughter dependent alone for sup
port upon him. God and his country would care
for them now. Honor and duty required him to
stick to his ship, and he saw that she must go
down.
Calm and collected. he rose up from that short
but mighty struggle with renewed vgOr. and
went with encouraging looks about the duties
of the ship as before. He ordered the hurricane
decks to be cut away and RATS TO be made. The
life preserverS were Also brought up and dis
tributed to all who would wear them. Night
was getting in. and he directed Frazer the sec
ond officer. to take the arm chest and send up
rocket every half hour.
Van Rensselaer,. his first officer, was also by
him. Herndon has spoken of him to me in
terms Of esteem and admiration and Van Rens-
salear proved himself worthy to the last of such
concentrations. Side by side these two stood
at their post. and persisted together with their
harness on.
After the boat which bore Mr. Payne. to whom
HerndOn entrusted his watch had showed off
the captain went to his stateroom and put on
his uniform. The gold band around his cap
was concealed by the oil silk covering which he
n11rrrr
and threw it on his cabin floor; then. walking
out he took his stand on the wheel-hOuse hold
ing on to the iron railing with his left hand.
rocket was set off: the ship fetched her last
lurch, and as she went down he uncovered. A
cry arose from the sea. but not from his lips.
The waves had closed about him. and the cur
tain of the night was drawn over one of the
most sublime neral spectacleS that the sea ever
saw.
Just before the steamer went down a row
boat was heard approaching. Herndon hailed
her. 1t was the b0atswain's boat, rowed by
hard hands and gentle heart returning on
board from the brig to report her disabled con-
G!tion. If she came alongside she would be en-
quilted with the sinking ship. Herndon ordered
her to keep off. She did and was saved.
This, so far as have been able to learn was his
last order. Forgetful of self. mindful of Others
his life was beautiful to the last; and in his
death he has added new glory to the annals of
the SEA.
Forty-nine Of the passengers and crew were
picked up, floating on the water. that night and
the next morning by the Norwegian barque
Ellen, Captain Johnson, and brought safely
into Norfolk on the 9th day after the wreck.
The English brig Mary picked up three Others
who had drifted bout $50 miles with the gulf
stream. Total saved. 1872
The Central America sunk about s pm. of
September IL, 1857. near the outer edge of the
gulf stream. and the parallel of 81 degrees IS
minutes north.
1t does not appear certain that her comman-
der was seen or heard, after she went down. by
anv of those who survived the wreck Mr..
Childs. one of the passengers: thinks he con-
yersed with him in the water after midnight on
Saturday, only little while before he himself
was picked up. But Herndon was small of stat
ure, of delicate frame and constitution and by
no means in robust health. He was already suf-
fering from the incessant labor and exposure Of
the last two days and that long Friday night.
His fatigue must have been great, and when the
waves closed over his ship he was, in all prob
ability, too much exhausted to struggle with
the rest in that pool Of drowning men for floats
and life
Everything that could be done by the best
sea captain to save his ship was done to save
this one. Brave hearts and strong arms and will
ing minds were on board. There were no lack
of skill or Of courage. Order and discipline
We're preserved to the last: and she went down
under conduct that fills the heart with senti-
ments Of unutterable admiration.
HerndOn was i'm the 44th year of his age. He
was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on the
25th day Of October, 1913. He was the son of
the late Dabney Herndon of that place, and was
the fifth of seven children; five sons and two
daughters. Of whom Mrs. Maury is the elder.
He was named after Capt. William Lewis, of the
navy, who was lost at sea on board the United
States brig Eperyier. Lewis Herndon was left
early an orphan, and entered the navy at the
age Of fifteen. AffectiOnate in disposition. soft
and gentle in his manner. he was beloved of his
own; he also won the love and esteem of his
associates wherever he went. and he became a
favOfite throughout the service.
None knew him better, or loved him more
than.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
NJ. +. MAURY.
Lieut.. U. 8. Navy.
Hon. ISAAC TOUCEY,
Secretary of the Navy, Wa shington.