New-York tribune., 1899-11-18
ENSIGN GHERARDps HERoIsM.
MANY LIVES SAVED BY HIS GALLANT Ex-
PLOT, IN PORTO RICO.


Washington. Nov. II (speciaD.-For the tnird
time within three years the Navy Department mas
officially recorded the bravery OF Ensign winter
Rockwell Gherardi, son OF Rear Admiral dheraFu',
OF New-York. The first which constituted one VI
the most conspicuous cases OF naval herois" III
time of peace was when Admiral Bunces squad
ron was riding out tremendous gale on Hatteras
on February 9, 1897 Young Gherardi. then naval
cadet attached to the battleship Maine. volunteered
TO take a boat to the rescue Of three sailors VINO
had been swept overheard. This boat was de-
stroyed before 1t got hundred yards from the
ship and Gherardi and his crew were rescued win
life lines For this he received n letter OF com
mendation from the Department and the medai
OF the Life Saving Benevolent Association OF New
York Several months later on July %. when he
was attached TO the battleshp Texas, then lying
at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. several sailors were
thrown overheard while launching a boat from
the ship One OF them stunned and sank, while
the others swan ashore. Gherardi plunged over
board clad In his uniform. brought the drowning
man to the surface and kept him afoat until both
were rescued.
The latest instance Of Gherardrs distinguishing
himself is reported TO the Department by Captain
A. s. Snow, commandant OF the United States
Naval Station at San Juan, Porto Rico. who. In
forwarding a letter from Colonel c. c. Carr. 9TH
Cavalry inclosing a statement from Captain Almy.
OF that regiment, regarding Gherardrs gallantry In
the cyclone OF August s, says:
Ensign Gherardi was inspecting tho lights OF the
island. and was detained at Mayaguez by the
ferrep briefly and modesty to the services he he'd
rendered in connection with the vessels mentioned
In Colonel Carr's letter, but unofficial statements
having reached me concerning the matter deemed
It due to Ensign GherardI to communicate with
particulars, that. the Department might be In
formed of the. facts; That so many lives were
steamer vasco is undoubtedly due to Ensign
GherardFs efficient leadership and his heroic per-
sonal efforts.
To the long exposure to the driving rains and
heavy and the impossbllity OF obtaining
shelter until the storm abated. the illness which
resulted in medical survey Ensign Gherard
and his transfer TO the Naval Hospital, New-York
for treatment. is probably due
Captain Almys description OF the occurrence Is
follows
w R. Gherardi. Of the United States Navy. and
!. j. Jminsz civil engineer, proceeded from their
Hose av whn s the ecs to Of he The sop
then blowing. AS the storm developed in force It
%as Noticed that the shipping II the barber were
The steamer Vasco was noticed especially. also the
schooner Conception loaded with 80 emigrants
1l:5o a. m Mr. Gherard supposed she was going
Jiminez that they should go down the beach about
mile and render assistance. saving as many lives
They ran along the beach in the driving storm
the sand nearly binding them and falling trees
ODstrucunR tnelr passage ana rendering their
ress slow and dangerous, owing to the debris
flying through the air The wind at this time was
terrific being stronger than at any other time.
About quarter OF mile before getting to where
the schooner foundered, Mr.. Gherard noticed tina
some Of the people were jumping overheard, so
! Increasing their speed they the
grounl. Mr.. Gherardi at once plunged into the
! water with his clothes on. and began dragging
the unfOrtunates from the schooner and the waves
| and bringing them to the shore. lie ordered
| those board to throw lifeline to the shore. 50
| as to make fast but they were so terrorized that
| they were unable to do anything but jump into the
! water where they were grabbed by Mr.. Gherardi
| and Mr.. Jiminez and brought to shore These
| men at this time nearly exhausted. the force
OF the wind being strong that II made 1t almost
impossible TO breathe, and the sand being driven
into their eyes rendered II impossible to give any
| further help There from four to six people
| into the water. They told to do so, but re-
| maned where they were, and were undoubtedly
| lost the schooner soon went to pieces. Those
rescued. numbering nearly hundred and fifty
souls were guided by Mr. Gherard and Mr. jim
inez to the most available places OF shelter on the
| beach. and placed be lind huts and shanties and
| trees
| minutes. these men were Joined by Ullses Reveror
| and Julian and Ramon Aponte and few others
| The steamer Nasco seen battling with the
| waves few hundred yards off. endeavoring t'
| keep from laundering. She did not succeed ant
was landed the beach. Mr.. Gherardl a
| once called to them for a lifeline, and. fOrmnt
| hs party of rescuers in a line. Joining hands, ex
he had hold OF the line. and. bringing 1t e
shore, fastened the end securely TO neighbornt
tree. The crew climbed down and along the line
and I'm about half an hour safely landed.