The evening world., 1894-03-24
ALL LkUD HEYERMAN,
Witnesses at the Court Martial
Say He Was Efficient.
More Particulars Regarding the
Wreck Of the Kearsarge.
Three Apprentices for the Prosecu.
tion Fail to Appear.


Stanton and Lieuts. Lyman, walling
and Bralnard the principal witnesses
for the prosecution In the court-martial
of Commander o. F. Heyerman, removed
the obstacle which has for two days
stood In the way Of the proceedings, and
the work OF the court began in earnest
this morning.
The taking OF testimony was begun by
calling Lieut. Charles H. Lyman, late
navigator of the Kearsarge, who, at the
Court of Inquiry. held a few weeks ago,
testified that the position of Roncsdor
Reef, as shown on the charts, is several
miles out OF the way.
The witness vas allowed to 20 after
having identified the sailing directions
or the our OF Mexico and the Caribbean
Sea and the various charts used on board
the kcarsarge during her last voyage
Lyman also Identified the rough log Of
the hearsarge for the month of Febru-
lost.
Admiral Stanton was then called. In
reply to the Judge-Advocates questions
he repeated almost word for word the
testimony he gave at the Court of Inqui-
ry, about the sailing of the Kearsarge
, from Port au Prince for Bluefelds. Me-
aragua. on Jan. 30.
There was an ample supply of coal
and provisions on board for the trip.
Previous to sailing Admiral stanton
| said he al not remember HAVING had
any conversation with Commander Hey
erman about the course to be taken.
The course was first shaped 80 that the
! kearsarge would pass from seven to
ten miles to the southward of Roncador
Ree.. The ship was under sail only, and
was making about nine knots an hour.
! There was no change in the course, ac.
cording to Admiral Stanton, until about
! 10 o'clock on Feb. 2. when the course
was changed to west-southwest, three
/ quarters west, which Commander Hey
erman thought would carry the ship
foar miles tho to the north Of
| from the reef. At O'Clock, the naviga-
tor, reported that the reef was fifteen
miles away, Admiral stanton said he
looked at the chart and judged that
this was about right.
In answer to question, he said that
Commander Heyerman had been read
| ing up the sailing directions and there
had been some conversation about the
currents in the vicinity.
Admiral Stanton then rehearsed the
struck, as fully told at the Court of In
quiry.
After stating that at 6.35 o'clock Com
mander Heyerman came to him and said
| that the navigator had reported that
the ship had passed the reef four or five
miles TO the north and that he Heyer-
mani had changed the ships course to
the northward. Admiral Stanton was
| turned over to Lieut.. Commander Mark
| for cross-eXamination.
Did you occupy the same cabin with
Commander Heyerman on board the
Kearsarge?"
| Il did"
Did he seem to be negligent in his
duty as commanding ofiicer?"
made a careful study Of the charts and
sailing directions. On Feb. he was on
deck greater part of the time. and
sh3Ted great Interest Int, in the proper navi-
| Continuing in answer to counsel's ques-
| tions. Admiral Stanton said that he saw
no negligence on Commander Heyer-
mans part; that Roncador Reef could be
seen for a distance of about six miles
in clear weather during the day, but
only very short distance after dark.
which would have told Of easterly cur
rents in the neighborhood of Roncador.
The cross-eXamination was concluded
by Admir4l Stanton giving It as his opin-
Ion that Commander Heyerman had at
tended to his duty strictly as COM
manding officer.
The Court asked few unimportant
questions and then Admiral Stanton was
Lieut.. Lyman was recalled at this
point. He said that he, and Heyerman
course OF the Kearsarge 1t was first In
tended to pass fifteen or sixteen miles
to the southwark of the. reef. 1t was
not until 1912 A. NJ. OF Feb. 2 that 1t was
the course was changed from SOUTH
southwest one-quart er We st to west
southwest three-quarters west, which. II
was thought. would allow the ship to
clear the reef six to ten miles.
| All =. NJ. Lieut. Lyman said he found
the speed was only knots and he sug-
gested that 1t be increased by the use
The witness said that steam wes not
gotten un at once on account OF COM
mander Heycrman's desire to be economi-
| "a In ba I,sa Af
ton that the wind would freshen soon.
|. was As, o'clock when the engines
Dirkness fell. according to the wit.
ness, at 6,l5 p. NJ, and at the suggestion
ot Lyman the course was changed al
$50 u west one-half south. or three
quarters of n point further north.
Cr5ss-exam.ned py Lieut. Commander
Mark tha witIea said that the kear'
SarEe's Instruments were all reliable
ana that he had never reported other.
were no cautions laid down in the books
as to easterly currents around RoacadoI
Reef anj he had no reason to expect
" why ala you suggest a change Of the
course ~ $50 4 you thought you had
! chair and replied Z" l didn't want to bs
, in that vicinity longer than necessary"
What is your opinion of your com
, manding officer as TO alertness on Feb
E He was alert and attending to hi
> Lieut.. Lyman was then allowed tc
} leave the stand and Lieut.. +. X. Brain
ard took his place.
Lieut.. Brainard testified that he was
officer of the second dog watch on
and the watch was turned over to him
i He looked at the compass and saw that
y the course was west, half south.
h He was informed by the officer when