The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-02-28

New York, Feb. 27-The court Of in
quiry ordered to investigate the wreck
of the Kearsarge reconvened in the
court martial room of the Brooklyn
navy yard today.
There was one extraordinary scene
to mark the days proceedings. Cap
tain Heyerman broke down while tell
ing the story of the wreck and the
court room was cleared until he could
control his emotions.
The first witness was Raar-AdmiraI
Stanton, who told in detail the story
of the Kearsarge's voyage from the
time she sailed from Port Au Prince
until she struck on Roncador reef
Then Captain Heyerman was called
and after stating, in reply to the judge
advocate, that the reports print
ed in the public press were
substantially correct, Heyernlan was
asked if he had saved any o. the ships
records, particularly the rough and
Smooth" log books.
i made two attempts" said he, af-
ter the vessel struck. Ito save the log
books as we'll as the night order book.
knowing they would be wanted as ex-
hibits in the investigation which [
knew would follow. 1 was, however,
only able to save my life"
Heyerman identified several charts
which had been in use on board the
Kearsarge.
the charts and instruments on board
the Kearsarge, the commander said:
I had no doubt as TO The accuracy
Of the charts and Instruments on
board. The night sextant was a little
out of gear, but the other Instruments
were in perfect condition"
Heyerman, answering Judge Advo-
cate Kelley's questions, said he had
been in the navy since 1861, and had
commanded the Yankee, Kearsarge and
the Pensacola. Reverting to the day
OF the wreck, Heyerman described the
condition OF the weather and the cur
rents for half a dozen hours previous
to the Kearsarge striking on the reef.
He received reports from the naviga-
tor at intervals of the latitude taken.
! was sure the Kearsarge was so far
TO the north Of ROncadOr Reef that I
was we'll clear Of it, said he Il had
a lookout on the top-gallant yards all
the afternoon and at $40 sent an Of
flcer aloft to make sure there was no
danger in sight. The officer reported
everything all right"
The breakers were first reported at
500 o'clock. At that time Admiral
Stanton, the navigator, Captain Lyman
and Officer May were on the deck with
Heyerman.
What was the discrepancy" asked
the judge advocate, between the point
where you really were and where YOU
thought you were when the ship
struck?''
About six miles to the southwark
and four miles to the eastward from
the point where I supposed we were
from our reckoning
There r.,
an interval Of only two minutes. at the
most between sighting white water
and the shock of striking on the reef
! The commander told how the Kear-
sage was abandoned after seeing she
was doomed. He also described the
manner in which Seaman Anderson
Robbins lost his life, while trying to
wade from the outer reef to main the
key
Then Heyerman gave in detail the
story of the encampment on the KEY
and the boarding of the wreck to OBJ
tain provisions, the unsuccessful
search for the night order book.
! He gave a vivid description of camp
! life and the Robinson CrusOe bill Of
fare served during the stay on the
key; the arrival of the City of Para
and the eTnbarkation of the crew was
Interestingly recountered by Heyer-
man.
| w nile describing the exemplary con-
duct of the officers and the crew while
lying at the wharf, as well as all dur
ing the trying days on the key, Hey
erman became visibly affected at the
recollection of the mems apparent deep
respect and love for him. Recalling
this devotion'on the part of the crew
proved too much for the bronzed COM
mander, and his mouth twitched at the
corners and big tears Welled up into
his eyes. He finally had to stop, owing
to his emotions. When he had recov-
cred his composure, Heyernan conclud-
ed his testimony with the details. Of
the return trip to New York.
The court adjourned until tOmor-