New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-10
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
THE WRECK OF THE CENTRAL AMERICA"
SENATOR SALISBURY CoRREcTED-THE PliIfUi
STORY ErToLD ny ONE WHO KNOWS COM
NANDrR HERNDON.

SENATOR SALISBURY CoRREcTED-rHE PHIFUL
STORY REToLD ny ONE WHO KNOWS COM
MANDER HERNDON.
To the Edftor Of The tribune
SIR: In the Senate debate on the goth ult,
the Senate amendment the Greedy Keller LApedl.
ton bill Senator Salisbury made the following remarks;
remember iu the history Of this country that officers
OF the Navy have been assigned to duty contrary TO he
wishes, and against their protests, and unfortunately
their lives have been lost recall TO mind the history
OF Lieutenant HuAdon OF the Navy, OF the DTaVest
who trod the deck ofa ship OF war, and man
Of high intelligence Every who has ever read his
explorations Of the Amazon will remember with feelings
OF kindness and regard the memory OF that man. who
persisted by accepting duty that had been assigned TO
him by the Secretary OF the Navy. do remember all
the particulars, but I recall that be called upon TO
take charge OF vessel for the transportation OF troops
lie protested against the seawOrthness OF the vessel yet
he was arbitrarily forced and compelled to take it, or
resign his commission In the Navy and he persisted on
that expedition" The meroriOus tribute by the
Senator to the memory of the gallant HerndOn T. noble
and JUST but the Senator's remarks the arbitrary
orders OF the Secretary OF the Navy the unseaworhness
Of the vessel and the carrying OF troops are not in
accordance with the facts.
The bill passed by Congress In 1919 granting subsidies
to the steamships carrying the monthly mails from New
York to California via the Isthmus Of Daricn provided
that all the steamships carrying the mails on the Atlantic
side be commanded by officers of the Navy OF not
less rank than Lieutenant. All the mail ships were
inspected by Navy officers of high rank and found on
inspection TO be suitable for the required and
properly equipped according to the then existing laws,
were accepted by the Government. In the Latter part
OF the year 1850 Commander Herndon, United states
Navy applied for the command OF Ons OF the mail ships
He had recently returned from the River La Plata and
tributaries where he had been a surveying expedition,
and had been promoted to the grade of commander
His application was avorably received, and in January
or February 1886, he ordered by the Secretary OF
the Navy James c. Dobbinl TO the command OF the
steamship George Law. which name was some time
after changed to Central America. Herndon took
command of the ship, and had made some si1teen'or
eighteen successful voyages from NewNork to Aspn~a
and return carrying many thousands OF passengers,
large mails ana freight and over twenty millions OF
treasure He had the confidence, respect and esteem OF
President and directors Of the steamship company.
on the last and fatal trip that the Central America
made she left New-York on the goth OF August 1897,
arrived at Aspnwal the 20th landed the PASSENGERS
malls and freight, and the Sd of September received
the malls etc. and about 81 100000 in treasure, and
sailed for NewYork via Havana At Up. m on the 5t5
cloudy weather On the night Of the 9th the wind had
increased furious gale with heavy rain ana on me
I0h the shin was in the midst OF fearful hurricane The
sea had risen to awful height and was very irregular
caused by the current in the Gulf Stream. Inc sea
boarded the vessel and aft and the violence or the
wind kept her her side with the lee rail- under water
drag constructed and thrown overheard IN order
10 bring the ships head to the sea- but IN short time the
nine inch hawser parted and the ship fell on into her
former position. The fire under the boilers was eXt-
euhed by the water that had got into the ship and the
engine and steam pumps useless Every euOft wa:
made by her ave commander the crew and many OF
the passengers to save the ship, but without success
On the morning Of the 18th schooner passed snort
distance the sinking ship but made no enort To
come alongside A brig hove in sight and came within
mile or two erndOn ordered the boats to be lowered TO
take the twenty-five who were on be ard 70 the
brig All the boats broke adrft except two
into which the lowered and placed on board
the brig The and did not return to the ship
and the brig shortly afterward drifed out OF sight.
When the ship foundered fifty or sixty Of the
passengers who had secured life preseryes and other
floating material hoated the ocean; anu AFTER being
in the water over twenty-fOur hours Swedish bark
sailed right into their midst before they were discovered
All were taken on board and were kindly cared for
Herndon faithfully and assiduOusy performed his duties
10 the last and went down with the ship The George
Law was frst-class ship OF the day She was built
by William H. Webb in 1853 and about 100 tons,
old measurement Her first voyage began ON the l3h OF
September OF year, and she was just four years Old
when she fOundercd. EMPIRE CIIl'
Netc- York, Feb. 9, 1884.
"A curious fact concerning the movements OF the
Swedish bark referred to above, as rescuing the