The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-28
Captain Heyerman Breaks Down
While Telling the Wreck Of
the KearsArge.
Vivid Story OF tho LOSS of tho Old
Ship by tho Cap
tain.
Encampment on the Reef and the kf-
forts TO Rescue the Books OF the
ship.

NEW YoRK Feb. 27.-Ths court Of in
quiTy. ordered 70 invsstiRht the wreck Of
the ksarsarge. Teoonvened In the court
martial room Of the Brooklyn navy ysrd
to-day. There Was one eEtfaordinAy scene
TO mark the days pToessdinRs Capt Hey
srnan broke down while telling the story
Of abe wreck and the court room was olssTed
untl be could control his emotions. The
hTst witness was Rear Admiral Stanton,
who told In detail The stofT Of ths Ksar-
sarge's voyage from the time she sailed
from Port an Prince until she struck on
RonesdoT reef. Then Capt. Heysrman was
called. Afisr stating. In reply TO the judge
advocate, that the reports In the public press
we're Substantially correct. HsTsrman was
asked II be had saved any Of the shio's re-
cords. particularly the rough" and
smooth" log books.
II made two attsnpts." said be, after
the vessel struck 20 save the log books, as
we'll a. the night order book. knowing they
would be wanted as exhibits IN the inVesti-
cation which knew woald follow. was.
however, only able 20 save my lifs.'
Hsyerman Identified several charts which
had been In use on board she Ksarsarge,
Questioned ss 20 his conhdencs IN the
charts and instruments on board the Kear-
sarge, the commander said: Il had no
doubt 80 TO the seourAoy Of the charts and
Instruments on board. The night ssKtant
was a little out Of gear but the other in
stru0snts were in perfect condition"
Heyerman. sRswerlng Judge Advocaie
Kellsy's questions said he had been in the
navy since 1861, and had commanded the
Yantie. KeArsarRe and Pensaeola. Re-
veriing 90 the day Of the wreck. Hsyerman
described the condition Of the weather and
currents for half dozen hours previous to
the KsGtssrge striking on the reef. lie re-
esived reports Of the navigator at intervals,
Il was sure the ksarsarRe was 90 far 10
the Mouth Of Ronoador reef that was we'll
clear OF a.. said be. Il had lookouta on
the topRailant yards all afternoon. aud at
$40 sent an officer Hloft 20 make surs there
was no danger ia sight The officer re-
ported everything all right. Brsakess wee
fret Eepo tad At ESQ o'clock"
At that time Admiral Stanton, the navi-
gator. Capt. Lyman. and Cfiioer May were
on deck with HeJsrman.
what was the diaerepanoy." asked She
Judge advocats, between the point where
you really we're and Whs.e you thought yoa
were when she ship atruckP'
About ak miles TO the southwark and
where l supposed We were. from our fsck-
oning'
There vas, according 10 HeTerman. an
interval Of only two minutes at most be-
tween sighting white water aud the shock
of striking on the reef. The commander
told how the kearsarge was abandoned
after 10 was seen she was doomed. lie also
described the manner in which seaman An
derson Robbins lost his life while trying to
Wads from the oater reef 90 the main KEY.
Then Heysrman gave IA detail the story OF
the enoaml meat on the reef and the board
ing of the wreck TO obtain provisions, aud
the unsuccessful search for she night order
book.
lie gave q vivid description OF the camp
life and the Robinson Crusoe bill OF fare
served during the stay on the key. The
arrival Of she City OF Para and the en-
hR kation OF the crew was Interestingly re
counted by heyerman. While describing
crew while lying at the wharf, as we'll as all
during the trying days on the KEY. HeyeT-
man became VisiblY affected st the reoollsc-
tion Of she mems apparent deep respect aud
love for him.
Recalling this d votion on the part OF
the crew proved too much for the bronzsd
commander aud his mouth twitshed al the
corners and big tears welled up into his
syes. lie finally had 90 stop owing 90 his
emotions. Mheu he had recovered CON-
posure. Heyermsn concluded his testimony
with the details Of the return "trip 30 New
York. The court then adjourned until to-
MORROW