The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-28

IrEtr. DAyEYPORr ACQUITTED.
Lieut.. Purcell, His Accuser. However, Is
Reproyed bv the Secretary.

Lieut.. Purcell, His Accuser. However, is
Reproved by the Secretary.
WASHINGTON, j. c., Jan. E.-Secre-
tary Herbert to-day made public the
findings Of the court Of inquiry and his
views thereon. i'm the case of Lieutenant
Richard G.. Davenport, United States
Navy. who asked a court OF Honor
to pass upon his conduct while acting
as navigating officer of the United States
shin Nipsic when that vessel was wreck
ed during the great Samoan hurricane IN
March. 1889 Lieutenant Davenport asked
for the court because there had beeh Il
great deal Of criticism Of his action IN
leaving the Nipsic. AT the inquiry ofii-
GERS testified that he had set bad eN-
ample 10 the crew I'm time OF danger
by stripping off his clothes, jumping over
board and swimming 70 shore.
The court of inquiry found no imputa-
ton Upon Lieutenant Ddvenports conduct
prior 10 the strandng OF the Nipsic, and
that during that time he performed MS
whole duty as navigator in an eminenuy
satisfactory and praiseworlhy manner
that 10 fault can be found with MS con-
duct as an officer but. on the contrary
he behaved with coOlness and courage
during the time the anchorage Of the
Nipsic was shifted, and that he did not
finch while the peril was greatest.
IN the point as TO the time and manner
when Lieutenant Davenport LETT the SNIP
which involved serious imputations
against him, the court decides Adversely
but finds "A number Of circumstances
which. it says, must bear very strongly
I'm mitigation Of his conduct. Some OF
these circumstances were that Lieutenant
Davenport was in 10 bodily fear: that
the order 20 abandon the ship had been
given, and that the captain testified that
officers and men were free 10 leave the
ship in any manner they saw iit
"These mitigating circumstances, says
the court together with the excellent
conduct of the applicant up TO the time
Of the ships taking ground. must, In the
opinion of the court. modify to con-
siderable extent its adverse opinion Of
the question which is really the main
issue Of the case but the court is Of
opinion that the applicant failed in his
duty at this time and that his conduct
was unbecoming an officer OF the navy.
In this opinion the court Is emphatic. II
cannot swerve from the broad principle
on which the morale of naval discipline
rests. An officer must at an times show
i'm himself an example which his interiors
may emulate and even I'M periods Of dire
stress order and discipline must be pre-
served to the very last. ln abandoning
the ship the third senior officer on board
should be among the last II leave. In
this case the evidence Us perfectly clear
that the applicant was the first 20 land
from among all those remaining on board
after the cutter had been dispatched with
the sick. His duty was clearly 10 rem0 IN
by the side Of the Captain. and nothing
could relieve him OF that Obligation except
Of Ir tIafr
self"
The court also di0misses the inputa-
tions on Lieutenant Dovcnport's conduct
subsequent to his leaving the Npsc
Secretary Herbert in approving the
proceedings ard hndines Of The court Of
hcrhy, reviews the circum tcnfcs Of th,
whole case exharstivoly and sums up his
yitws in the following concluding para
srarh:
"rhe Department Is Of opinion. however,
that Lieutenant Davenport would have set
n much better ex rlple 10 the men Cf the
crcw ana contributed more tc good order
ami military discipline. II NJ he'd not strip
ped himself as soon rs he did. Further
than this the Department trds no h.-
becoming conduct on the part cf t'is
officer. and n is alwivs 10 be rememher ~
that the concurrent testimony OF his sh-
nerior officers. Rear Admiral kinn, rly'
Commander Mullan. and Lieutenant ha"-
lev. who were present at the time upon
he spot and knew the circumstances rs
II is impossible 70 know them now IS
that tsev ind nothing In his conduct 10
condemn a. ,,....,,
The interesting feature OF me Daven,
,,o,.t cose &c that relating TO the reiusal
~ Tho Now York Yacht club 70 admit
r,o',,o,ant Davenport 10 membership.
SThen lieutenant Davenport ascertaincd
,,,at his defeat was due to CHARGES against
,s. conduct at Apla. preferred by some
,,ni,nown person. he asked for the court
~ Honor 10 investigate the covert n,l arc
,,,,iena. The inquiry developed that , Lieu,
s,rnant John l.. Purcell. who was at'aoien
80 the Nipsic during the hurricane, vi q,
the accuser. and In his enaoassv rnnroves
she findings Secretary Herpert IeP'0'N9