The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-02-28
WRECK OF THE kEARSARGE.
Capt ain Heyerman Tell the Story to the
Committee Of Inquiry.

NEW YORK, Feb. 21.-Ihe court or In
quiry ordered by the secretary of the navy
to investigate the wreck of the Kearsarge
on Roncadore reef, reconvened in the
court martial room of the Brooklyn navy
yard today. There was one extraordinary
scene to mark the days proceedings.
Captain Heyerman broke down while
telling the story Of the wreck, and the
court room was cleared until he could
control his emotion.
The first witness was Rear Admiral
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 Roncadore reef. The witness
described the manner in which the officers
aud crew left the vessel, as already told III
the printed accounts.
Then Captain Heyerman was called.
After stating, in reply to the judge advo-
cate. that the reports printed i'll the public
press were substantially correct, he was
asked if he had saved any of the ships
records, particularly the rough" and
Smooth log books.
"Ima6e two attempts" said he, latter
the vessel struck, to save the log books as
well as the night-Order books, knowing
that they would be wanted as exhibits in
the Investigation which l knew would
follow was, however, only able to save
my life.
Captain Heyerman Unidentified several
charts which had been in use on board the
Kearsarge, One was an English chart of
Roucadore bank, and was issued from the
photographic Office at Washington. 1t
was corrected up to 1892 Questioned as
TO his confidence in the charts and instru-
menes on the kearsarQe, he said:
Il had no doubt as to the accuracy of
the charts and the instruments on board.
The night sextant was little out Of gear,
but the other instruments were in perfect
condition"
Captain Heyerman said that he had been
in the navy sincs 1851, and had COM
! manded the Yantic, Kearsarge and Pen
sacola. Reyerting to the day OF the wreck.
| Captain Heyerman described the con-
djiton O. the weather and the currents for
tho half dozen hours previous to the
kearsarge's striking on the reef. He read
! the report OF the navigator at intervals.
| Tbs latitude was taken by the shi ps rum
| ming.
II was sure that the Kearsarge was so
| far to the north Of Roncodors reef that
WAS we'll clear of it," said he. Il had
| lookouts on tho topgallant yards all the
| afternoon, and at 5:20 O'Clock sent an
| officer aloft to make sure there was no
danger in sight. The officer reported
everything was all right"
| The breakers was first reported at $50
| O'Clock. At that tins Admiral Stanton,
tbs navigator, Captain Heymerman and
| the officer Of tho day were on deck.
"What WAS the discrepancy" asked the
| Judge advocate, ''between the point where
you really werc and where you thought
| you were when the ship struck"
About six miles to the southwark and
| four miles to the eastward of the point
where supposed we were from our reckon.
\ 49,, tcpf,{n Hsveyn YeNiy
Thc witness then corroborated the testi
mony given by Admiral Stanton rs to bis
| ordsrs Immediately after the ksarsarge
struck. There was according to Captain
| Heyermau, an interval OF ouly two min
| utes at most between the sighting OF the
white water and the shock Of striking on
| the reef. The commander told how the
| Kea-.arSc was abandoned after IL was seer
tha; she was doomed. He also described
thy nanner in which Seaman Anderson
Robbins lost his life, while trying 10 wade
| from the outer reef to the main key.
Theu his gave in detail the story OF tht
encampmen. on the key and boarding o
! ihs wreck TO obtain provisions nnd the
unsuccessful search for tbs night-order
book. Hs zavs y vivid description of the
Can't, Efs aud the Robinson Crusoe bill OF
fars served during the stay on the Key
The arrival Of ths City OF Para aud the
embarkatiou Of ths kenrrnrgs's Gre"
were Interestingly recounted by Captain
! Heyermnn.
Wills describing ths exemplary con
ducs OF tbs officers and crew while lyiui
at the wharf, AS we'll as during the tryin.
days ON tins key, Captain Heyerman be
came visibIy affected at tns recollection O
tho mems deep respect and low
for him. Ths recalling Of IN
| devotion on the part ot tn
crew WAS too mach for the broczed com
rnander, aud his mouth twitchcd at th
| corners and the big tears veiled up Int
his eyes. He finally bad to stop owing 4
| his emotion When he had recovered hi
cornpoeure, Captain Heysrman concluded
his tes,inonr with details OF the returr
trip to New York.
The court then ndjour ned until &c
morrow.