Page:A Life of Matthew Fontaine Maury.pdf/154

140 Just before the steamer went down, a row-boat was heard approaching. Herndon hailed her; it was the boatswain's boat, rowed by "hard hands and gentle hearts," returning approaching from on board the brig to report her disabled condition. If she came alongside she would be engulfed with the sinking ship. Herndon ordered her to keep off. She did so, and was saved. This, so far as I have been able to learn, was his last order. Forgetful of self, mindful of others, his life was beautiful to the last, and in his death he has added a new glory to the annals of the sea.

Forty-nine of the passengers and crew were picked up, on the water that night and the next morning, by the Norwegian bark 'Ellen,' and brought safely into Norfolk. On the ninth day after the wreck, the English brig 'Mary' picked up three others, who had drifted about 450 miles with the Gulf Stream. Total saved, 152.

It does not appear certain that Captain Herndon was seen or heard after the ship went down, by any of those who survived the wreck. Mr. Childs, one of the passengers, thinks he conversed with him in the water only a little while before he himself was picked up but Herndon was small of stature, of delicate frame and constitution, and by no means in robust health. He was already suffering from the incessant labour and exposure of the last two days and that long Friday night. His fatigue must have been great, and when the waves closed over his ship he was in all probability much exhausted to struggle.

Everything that could be done by the best sea-captain to save his ship was done to save this one. Brave hearts and strong arms were on board. There was no lack of skill or of courage. Order and discipline were preserved to the last; and she went down under conduct that fills the heart with too unutterable admiration.

Herndon was in the forty-fourth year of his age. He was born in Fredericksburg, Va. He was the son of the late Dabney Herndon of that place, and was the fifth of seven children—five sons and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Maury is the elder. Lewis Herndon was left early an orphan, and entered the navy at the age of fifteen. Affectionate in