New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-28
C1PT1IN ERBEN'S C1REER.
THE ONE NAVAL OFFICER ON TIE Cf IN :
NAL COMMITTEE.
HIS LOYALTY TO HIS COUNTRY UNDER ADVERSE
CIRCUMSTANCES-H OPPOSITION TO
THE REBELS SAVED THE PEN

SACOrAi NAVY YARD.
Captain Henry Erbcn, the president Of the Naval
Board of Inspection Of Foreign Vessels. with head
quarters in 'he Federal Building is the officer Of
the Navy who IS on the Centennial Committee on
Navy, and had done large part work in laying
out a programme He is typical mariner such as
one might expect in officer Of the Navy. robust, of
large form. with the step Of a sailor ruidy and good
natural face with little tufts of gray side WHISPERS and
L gray puStachc
During his catiir naval career. lie las served without
rproach AID In all Of his relations, a. man. officer.
husband. parent. friend. he ha, been and honor
able. iIo -rosnlcI having superior In his
corps. and ... thc eva Var hi, career was. Ike
thlt Of IT Ger, If the Navy, un"ventfu In Ds-
ccmler l-6o. tid January i-6I. when a Lieutenant
the sto,'-hip supply. AT tie Pensacola Navy Yard he
surrounded by officers who plotting ~ berly
that important post mo NJ" hands Of the Rebels. aud
doing All they could by bai Uvic". by hindcring by
ob.tucting. aud refusing obey orirr, Of the COM
Daldiuk ufrrl time for "a" gathering hosts
ttkr Possession. oi the fonts ard the Navy far with
their ,uppr, of gun, and ammunition In this
emergency Lieutenant Erbcn stood forth cOnspicuOusy
brave. rucrgric and the duty Of the hour. ~
admiral Jouctt said Of him: lis energy, courIge.
iud out-pokrn loyalty were marked a. attract
unl, cfsa attention such st"alilstnr>s AMI bravey
oLts poLen sentiments AZ that time wcr, Of equal valus
10 a battle WOn and gave courage 10 the Goyernments
cause7
Commander Iarrand vino In sympathy with
tlr Rebel, and much assistance them. rsigning
January 81 1851. to JON the Confederate forres
found Eibcn actively engaged In thwarting hl, dis
10y al efforts, AID With oath threatened him with
every sort Of vengeance. Erbcn simply responded
Damn YOU I'll have you hung A. a traOr' Tho
result was that both cllnchci and rolled down tho
steps II the commanders hClo, lighting vigorously
Iarraud thvarird Erben', attempt Ia blow up tho
powder magazine outside Of The yard, consequence
If which It fell into the hand u IA" Rebels Erben
I'D -, however with four others, and without per
mission and destroyed tie powder AID battery at Fort
McRae Just before the Rebel, captured n. The War
II the Rebellion speak Of II thGs: The decision,
The prompt gaitntry tie never hr,ifafing zeal and
los ally If ETbrn. SeWmcr and Gilman bId saved
the country The necessity Of rccapturihS Pehs~oA
lIagbor' 49,.
Il was Lieutenant Erben who beggel a. make me
effort To get The monitors chino dnd IuNiS uD"u "
sound, Of North Carolina wher, he "onIi pt"pfuiy
fell 10 Lieutenant Gushing aiter"i ih dhu >" oc 90
way He performed many hazardous du'rs. such -
attacking M. Rcbcl Arkansas BLOCK we hhhe,,,.
etc. and va, recommended 10 he hiN in'ri Ih s'a""'
\frcr the var Congress authorized oertan Increase IN
The NAVY STIMULATING that the places shoui Or hi'ru
tx .rec,n II officers who hSl rcndeitsl c"n7Pr nous
-ervicc II beng evident ua iasY'i,ism va 'o,rs
tx ne first board rhe Navy department was Drslep41
,v,,b l,.r. demanding hat justice should lie lone.
1lrough ncg.st and various Oiher circumstances.
Frf.u', claim was overlooked AZ ~err also those ot
uthcr ofcrr, but subsequent tDar >nDh giy recon-
,,.t l,, f,r M. motion because ~ Efficient faith
el and con ,picisJu, services He wa nOmlIatef by
PRESIDENT "a field for promotion. but TAI, 1eservrd
scn,,ltlon failed IN confirmation by the shooting long
Nl1.-. and death II the President. President Arthur
,f,.ru,rl sent Eiben's name IN AMI ~ was recon-
msnd,d for confirmation. Then came delays because
- The ah,rnc, Of senator Rollins. who presented
minority report and Congress adjourned before 1t WAS