, 1892-07-19
A NAVAL HERO.
Lieutenant Lucien Young at the
Mare Island Navy Yard.
Deeds of HerOism That Made Him
Known Throughout the World.
His Wonderful Record and the
Greetings He Has Received.

Greetings He Has Received.
SAN Francisco, July 19.-Lieutenant
Lucien Young, of the United States
cruiser Boston, now at Mare Island is an
expert on explosives, and is an inventor of
much fame in this field. His presence in
this city, however, recalls an episode Of
such Importance a few years ago that
throughout the world he was, and ever
since has been esteemed a hero. The
lieutenant has saved many lives under
circumstances involving great peril to his
own life. The government at Washing
ton and various states have recognized his
deeds of heroism in life saving in most
significant manner.
In 1878 Lieutenant Young, who was then
very young man recently graduated from
Annapolis, jumped overheard in the Med
iterranian while the ship was going at the
rate of ten knots an hour ina rough sea
and saved the life of sailor. In doing
this he was so seriously injured that he
was manned for life. There were many
thrilling incidents in the rescue, which
are told at length in the official volume,
Lives of American Naval Officers" by
Hammersley. For this he received a gold
medal from the state of New York, and
framed certificate from Massachusetts,.
But it is in reference to a deed of un-
PARALLEL heroism while on board the I'm
tied States man-Of-war Huron that he
became theme of international comment
and eulogy. Naval and army men can
never forget it, and all who read the papers
of that day recall it with lively inter
est.
The Huron was on her way from New
York harbor to survey the Mono passage
between Cuba and Hayti. 1t was in No
vember, 1877, and Mr.. Young was an en-
sign at the time. The man-of-War at
tempted a passage inside of the Gulf
Stream, and from some cause, which ever
since has not been clear, got wrecked of
Nagg's Head, on the coast of North Caro-
lima, few miles north of Cape Hatteras
A violent wind blew, and the sea was
tossed into fury. 1t was evident that
for the ship could not be got off, and in
such a sea it could not last long.
In this emergency Ensign Young volun-
teered to attempt to take line on shore.
His shipmates, and in fact all on board,
pointed out the danger They said that
no man could buffet with the waves. They
knew the intrepid ensign was an expert
swimmer, but at the same time they
pointed out that no swimmer, however
expert, could ever reach shore. He would
live longer, they said to remain.
The ensign, however, was not be daunted.
He was determined to do what he could.
He therefore sprang overheard with the
line and commenced his gallant fight for
the rescue Of the men. He battled losg and
manfully with the waves, but the sea rose
higher and higher every minute, The line
grew to be almost like piece of lead
dragging him down. Still he clung to it and
several times thought he would succeed in
reaching the shore.
In his heroic endeavor be was watched
with thrilling interest by those on the HUI
ron, and whenever success seemed about
to crown his efforts cheer upon cheer was
given him.
But the intrepid mariner, buffeted and
knocked about repeatedly by the wild sea,
at last became weak, and it was apparent
to him that he could never reach land with
the line. He therefore cut himself loose
from it, and after the unparalleled ex-
perience of more that seven hours in
raging surf, succeeded in landing at a point
several miles above the wreck
Little life was left IN him. He was be-
numbed, stunned, and rendered almost
! powerless, but was still bent on helping
his comrades, and after a little time hay
| ing somewhat recovered, plunged again
into the sea and succeeded in rescuing one
of them, who was about sinking in the
waves. This he repeated twice more until
three were saved.
/ After this, in his manned condition, and
weakened from exposure, he ran more
| than thirty miles to and fro to obtain as
sistance, and in this way managed to save
| the lives of twenty-seven more.
1t was one Of the most heroic deeds in
naval annals, and for this he has received
many medals from different states and or
! ganizations. His bravery was also fittingly
recognized by the United States. The
government promptly promoted him from
| the position of ensign to that'of master by
special act of congress and nomination of
| the president to the senate In this he was
the first officer ever promoted out of the
line of seniority in time of peace since
the American navy was organized.
He also received from Kentucky, his ma
tive state, a handsome sword, and was
made by a special resolution of the general
assembly an honorary member for life of
that body. The only other person who
was ever so recognized was Henry Clay,
the "mill boy of the slashes."
The lieutenant has been on ten or fifteen
vessels since he was on the Huron. He
was at one time aid to the secretary of the
navy. He has also been assistant chief
of the bureau of equipment and recruiting
in the navy. He has served on nearly ev-
cry station in vessels afloat, and also at
the torpedo station at Newport, r, /.
Prior to Joining the Boston, recently, he
was on duty in the Office of the secretary
of the navy for four or five years in the
I2ompilatien of the naval war records of the
rebellion.