Evening star., 1894-03-23
THE KEARSARGE CASE.
Opening the COurt-Martial ut Brook
lyn.


BROOKLYN. n. Y, March 23.-The first
business today of the court-martial ap-
pointed to try Commander Oscar F. Heyer-
man, late of the United States corvette
Kearsarge. on charge of negligence in al
lowing the vessel to run on Roncador reef,
February 2, was the reading of a telegram
from Secretary Of the Navy Herbert, in
which the Secretary substituted Commander
Frank Wildes for Commander George F. F.
Wilde to sit as a member of the court.
This removed the snag which caused an
adjournment yesterday without any testi-
mony having been taken.
Commander HeyermaE was then asked BY
Judge Advocate Kelley whether he desired
to exercise his right to challenge any men,
ber of the court. This was a formality
which was gone through with yesterday,
but had to be repeated today because of the
substitution of Commander Frank Wildes
for Commander George F. +. Wilde as a
member of the court.
The accused signified his satisfaction at
the personnel of the court. Then followed
the swearing of the members.
First Commander Carpenter, as president
of the court, swore Lieutenant Commander
Kelley as judge advocate. after which all the
members OF the court grouped themselves
around the president at the head of the long
table.
The oath was administered with due So
lemnity by the judge advocate
Then the charges against the Kearsarge's S
late commander were read by Mr.. Kelley.
Commander Heyerman stood up facing his
judges during the reading of the charges.
and was asked whether he pleaded guilty or
not guilty.
Il plead want of definite specifications I"
was his reply.
His counsel, Lieutenant Commander Mo-
rix, then explained that in the first charge
the words currents well known 10 eviet
around Roncador reef are used. CourseI
IRh
manded that the kinds of currents be speci.
fed.
As usual when any such point is to be
discussed the court was cleared, and when
the reporters were allowed to return Pres
ident Carpenter announced that tn, court
ruled that the specifications as read were
to stand.
The defense bowed its obedience to the
courts ruling.
Then Judge Advocate Kelly said: "The
prosecution begins here"
He then proceeded to inform the court
that two of the principal witnesses. Ad-
miral Stanton and Lieut.. G. H LYMAN
late navigator of the Kearsarge had not
yet arrived. The former. he said. lived
in New London, and Lieut.. Lyman he
understood, had gone to Washington yes-
terday. 1t was expected that both would
be on hand today, however. Three cadets
who were to be called as witnesses, were
present, but the judge advocate favored an
adjournment until the principal witnesses
arrived.
Accordingly an adjournment was ordered
until IL 30 o'clock.
Rear Admiral Stanton failed to put in an
appearance when the court martial reas-
sembled at IL 80, and SO another recess was
taken till pm.
Commander Heyerman has been furnish
ed with the following list of witnesses to
appear for and against him. This is ac-
cortlInS to naval regulation: Against-Rear
Admiral o. +. Stanton, Lieuts. John Hood
E. r. Brainerd, B. t. Walling and Ensign
Thomas p. Magruder For-Naval Cadets
B. Il. Mccormick, Walter D Ball and T. S.
Borden, Lieut. c. II. Lyman, Chief En-
gineer c. G. Bowman and Naval Appren-
tees John F. Lineham, Joseph II. Eli and
c. +. r. Lawrence