The times., 1898-07-31
DOWN WITH HIS SHIP
The Thrilling Story of the Sink
ing of the Central America.
CAPT. HERNDON'S BRAVERY
He Sunk With His Vessel After Ey-
cry Woman and Child Had Been
sayed-A Monument to His Memory
on the Parade Ground ut Annap-
Ois-girginia Honors the Mobility
of Her Son.

In an article on great disasters at sea.
called out by the sacrifice of women and
children on the French liner, injustice
seems to have been done in the mention
OF the wrecklng of the Central America,
Capt. William Lewis Herndon. United
States navy. commanding, which oc-
Cured during hurricane off Cape Hat
teras. September u. 1851. From the rec
ords Of the Navy Department is compiled
the following history of that event. by
Diana Fontaine Maury Corbin, of Fred
ericksburg Va.
The Central America left Aspinwall for
New York on September ;. 1857. carrying
more than 400 passengers and 100000
pounds of treasure. The law required
that ships of this line plying between
Aspinwal and New York to carry
United States mails, passengers and
treasure should be commanded by naval
officers At midnight on September the
wind freshened TO a gale. winch contin-
ued 10 increase till the forenoon OF Fri
day, the Ilth, when il blew with great vi
olence from north northeast
On the forenoon of Friday IL was dis
covered that the ship had sprung leak.
This was so large that by / o'clock the
water had risen so high as TO eXtinguish
the fires on the starboard side and stop
the engine.
Bailing gangs were set to work, the
passengers cheerfully assisting. and all
hands were sent over on the windward
side 10 trim the ship. Being relieved in a
measure. she righted. and the fires were
relighted; but there was a very heavy
sea on, and. In spite OF pumps and bail
ing gangs with their buckets. whips and
barrels. the water gained upon them until
it reached the furnaces and extinguished
the fires again, never 10 be rekindled.
The ship was now at the mercy of tn
waves, and was wallowing in the trougi
of the sea like a log. Attempts wer
made TO get the ship before the wind
but no canvas was stout enough TO stant
the raging OF the storm After the head
sails had been blown away. the captain
ordered the clews of the fOresail 10 b'
dashed down 20 the deck, thinking L
hoist the yard a little way, show canvas
and get her off: but by the time tn
yard was well clear of the bulwar-hs, III
sail was taken right out Of the bolt ropes
SO great was the force Of the wind, anI
such the fury Of the gale
Crew and passengers worked manfully
pumping and bailing ali Friday afternoo
and night, but when day dawned upo
them the violence OF the storm was still
Increasing. All that energy, professions
skill and seamanship could do 10 weathe
the storm and save the shin had bee
QUilts ne tempest hdS sun Id&ll4Ss Il
sources were exhausted, the working pan
ties We're tagged out. and the capital
foresaw that the ship must go dowT
Stiu some hope was left. He might saw
life, even if he lost ship. mails and treas
IRE. He was in a frequented part of IN
ocean, and a passing vessel might com
TO the rescue of crew and passenger
IL they could manage to keep the shi
sfioat till The gale abated. He encourage
them with this hope, and asked for
rally. They responded with cheers. Th
lady passengers also came 10 help. an
went to work with a viii. whipping u
water by the barrelful TO the stead
measure OF the sailors working song.
Finally about noon Of Saturday tn
12th. the gale began TO abate and the SIX
70 brighten a vessel hove in sight; sh
was asked for help. but could give non
and kept on her course. About ? p. n
the brig Marine. Capt Blurt, of Bos
toa. heard minute guns and saw tn
steamers signals of distress. She ra
down TO the sinking ship. and. thoug
very much crippled herself by the gal,
promised TO lay by and she kept he
word. The steamers boats were order
ed 10 be lowered. The Marine had non
that could live in such a sea
Now came a most trying time; the boa