The record-union., 1894-02-28
Captain Heyerman Breaks Down
While Relating His Story.
AN EFFORT TO BE MADE TO RAISE
THE WRECKED WARSHIP.
Latest Rumors Concerning Gladstone
Are That He Has Resigned the
Premiership, to Take Effect at
Easter, But VIII Retain His Place
in the Cabinet Earl Spencer
Named as His Successor.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
NEW YORK, Feb. N.-The court of in
quiry ordered to investigate the wreck of
the Kearsarge reconvened in the court
martial-room at the Brooklyn Navy
yard to-day. There was one extraordinary
scene to mark the days proceedings.
Captain Heyerman broke down while
telling his story of the wreck, and the
courtroom was cleared until he could con-
troll 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 au Prince until she
struck on Roncador Reef.
Then Captain Heyerman was called.
After stating in reply to the Judge-Advo-
cate that the reports printed in the public
press were substantially correct Heyer-
man was asked ifhe had any Of the ships
records, particularly the trough" and
smooth" log books.
II made two attempts" said he, latter
| the vessel struck to save the log books,
| as well as the night order-book, knowing
they would be wanted as exhibits in the
investigation which l knew would follow.
l was, however, only able to save my
life."
Heyerman identified several charts
which had been in use on board the
Kearsarge. Questioned as to his conf
dence in the charts and instruments on
board the kearsarge, the Commander
said: 81 had no doubt as to the accuracy
of the charts and instruments on board.
The night sextant was little out of gear.
| but the other instruments were IN per-
feet condition"
Heyerman. answering Judge-Advocate
| Kelley'S questions, said he had been IN
the navy since 1861 and had commanded
the Yantic, Kearsarge and Pensacola.
Reverting to the day of the wreck, Hey
erman described the condition of the
| weather and currents for half dozen
hours previous to the Kearsarge striking
on the reef. He received reports Of the
navigator at intervals. The latitude
! taken is by the ships running.
81 was sure the Kearsarge was so far to
the north of ROncadOr Reef that | was
well clear of it," said he. 81 had look
outs on the topgallant yards all after
noon, and at $50 sent an officer aloft to
make sure no danger was in sight. The
officer reported everything all right.
| The breakers were first reported at 6:30
| o'clock. At that time Admiral Stanton,
the navigator, Captain Lyman and the
| Officer of the Day were on deck with me-"
"What was the discrepancy" asked the
| udge-Advocate, between the point
where you really were and where you
thought you were when the ship struck 2"
"a bout six miles to the southwark
and four miles to the eastward point,
where l supposed we were from our
ckOning."
There was, according to Heyerman, an
interval of only two minutes at the most
between the sighting Of the white water
and the shock of striking on the reef.
! The Commander told how the Kear sarge
was abandoned, after it was seen that she
was doomed. He also described the man
ner in which Seaman Anderson Robbins
lost his life while trying to wade from the
outer reef to the main key.
Then Heyerman gave in detail the story
of the encampment on the key and the
| boarding of the wreck to obtain pro-
visions. and his unsuccessful search for
the night order book. He gave a vivid
description of the camp life and the
| Robinson Crusoe bill of fare served DUR
ing the stay on the key. The arrival of
the City of Para and the embarkation of
the crew was Interestingly recounted by
| Heyerman.
While describing the exemplary con-
| duct of the officers and crew while lying
at the wharf, as well as all during the try
ing days on the key Heyerman became
visbly affected at the recollection of the
mems apparent deep respect and love for
| him. Recalling this devotion on the part
of the crew proved too much for the
| brOnzed commander, and his mouth
twitched at the corners and big tears
welled up into his eyes. He finally had
to stop, owing to his emotions. When he
recovered his composure, Heyerman con-
cluded his testimony with details of the
return trip to New York.
The court then adjourned until to-mor-
row.
EFFORT TO BE MADE TO RAISE THE
VESSEL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-The remains of
the Kearsarge will be raised from Rom
cador Reef if the House Committee on
| Naval Affairs has its way. To-day the
committee voted to report favorably the
bill of Blair of New Hampshire, but was
more generous than Blair. His bill would
appropriate S30,0 ,000 but the committee de-
cided to raise the sum to $4,000. with the
proviso that the wrecking company shall
receive not more than $4,000 if the at
tempt is failure.
Several proposals for raising the Kear-
sarge have been made by wrecking COM
panies. 1t was represented that the at
tempt would be a perfectly feasible one.
McEttrick of Massachusetts introduced
bill to incorporate an organization
formed by veterans who served on the
Kearsage during the war. 1t is called the
Kearsarge Association of Naval Veterans.
The survivors intend to collect memen-
toes of the old vessel, and when the or
ganization comes to an end they will be
! given to the Smithsonian Institution.
Secretary Herbert to-day sent to Cum
mings of the House Committee on Naval
Affairs a letter indorsing the project of
rescuing the Kearsarge. The Secretary
urged that any action toward her rescue
be taken at once. The Naval Committee,
therefore, sought to secure immediate
consideration for pill framed according