Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-28
THE KEARSARGE WRECK.
The Court OF Inquiry Begun-CaPtain
HeyeFmRn Breaks Down as ne Tells
the story and Tears Roll Down HIS
Cheeka

Inc court OF Inquiry BeSun-S@P'~-
Heyerman Breaks Down as ne Tells
the story and Tears Roll Down His
Cheeks.
NEW YORK, February 27.-The Court
Of Inquiry ordered by the Secretary OF
the Navy to investigate the wreck OF
the United States steamer Kearsarge
on Roncador reef reconvened In the
court martial room of the Brooklyn
navy yard to-day.
There was one extraordinary scene
to mark to-day's proceedings. Captain
Heyerman broke down while telling the
story of the wreck and the court room
was cleared until he could control his
emotions.
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 su Prince until
she struck on Roncador reef.
The witness described the manner In
which the officers aud crew left the
vessel, as already told In the private &C
counts. Then Captain Heyerman was
called.
After stating in reply to the Judge
Advocate that the reports printed in
the public press were substantially cor
rect, Captain Heyerman was asked If
he had saved any OF the ships records,
particularly the rough" ana smooth"
log books.
81 made two attempts" said be, "af-
ter the vessel struck 10 save the log
books as we'll as the night order book.
/ was, however, only able TO save my
life.
~ 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. was sure
the Kearsarge was so far of Roncador
reef that was we'll clear of il. | had
had lookouts on the top gallant yard
all the afternoon, and at $50 sent an
officer aloft TO make sure there was no
danger i'm sight The officer reported
that everything vas all right
"The breakers were first reported at
ESQ o'clock. AT the time Admiral
Stanton, the navigator, Captain Lyman
and the officer OF the day were on the
deck with Captain Heyerman,
What was the discrepancy" asked
the Judge Advocate. "betWeen the
point where you really were 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 reckoning" was Captain Heyer-
mans reply.
The witness then corroborated the
testimony given by Admiral Stanton as
TO mis- orders Immediately after the
Kearsarge struck. There was accord
ing to Captain Heyerman an interval OF
only two minutes at most between the
sighting Of the white water and the
shock OF striking on the reef The
commander told how the Kearsarge was
abandoned after il was seen that she
was doomed.
Then Captain Heyerman gave in de-
tail the story of the encampment on the
Key, and the boarding Of the wreck TO
obtain provisions, and the unsuccessful
search for the night order book. While
describing the exemplary condnct OF the
officers and crew while lying at the
wharf, as we'll as all during the
trying days on the Key, Captain
ffeyerman became visiby affected
at the recollection Of the
mems apparent respect and love for
him. The recalling of this devotion on
the part OF the crew proved too much
for the bronzed commander, and his
mouth twitched, and the big tears
sweled up into his eyes. He finally had
to stop owing 20 his emotions.
When he had recovered his compo-
sure, Captain Heyerman concluded his
testimony with details OF the return
trip to New York. Court then ad-
journed until tomorrow.