1874 Naval Cadets Graduation Dance & Ball Alabama Died Shipwrecked USS Huron

Description

The photographs ARE NOT included. Fred Danner is number 1 in the group photograph.
Provenance: Came from the estate of a descendant of John Danner.
These were in letters sent from Fred Danner to his family. He graduated with honors from the Naval Academy in 1874. He later died promoted to Ensign on the Huron in 1877.
Johann (John) Leonhard Conrad Danner was born 16 Apr 1827, and died 24 Dec 1872. 45 years old.
John Leonard Conrad Danner lived in Randolph county. At 21 he was chosen clerk of the circuit court of Randolph county. At the Beginning of President Buchanan's administration in 1857 was appointed to an official position in the department of the interior at Washington. He held that position until 1861 when the southern states succeeded from the union. He resigned and came home and join the war.
During the war he served alternately in the army and civil departments in Richmond (in an obituary of his wife, John Danner was mentioned as a mayor of Richmond during the war but I cannot find any evidence). I have an image of the obituaries of both). After the war he started a law practice in Richmond.
After the formal restoration of Alabama to the union he returned to the state and located in Montgomery. In 1869 he was appointed supreme court reporter. After that held a position with the IRS.
He also was appointed Judge years 1871-1872 in Montgomery.
The Loss of the USS Huron
The Huron and her two sister ships were the last American naval vessels to be built of iron rather than steel. Equipped with sails to supplement her steam engines. Navigational error caused ship to be caught on a lee shore in heavy seas.
Following repairs at New York, the Huron left Hampton Roads, VA Friday, November 23, 1877 on a voyage to Havana, Cuba to survey the surrounding coast. On her first night out to sea, the ship encountered a heavy storm blowing from the southeast. The storm combined with a small error in the ship's compass to cause the Huron to run aground off Nags Head at 1:30 a.m., November 24.
Even though the Huron was only 200 yards from the beach, the heavy surf, strong currents and cold temperature prevented most of the crew members from attempting the swim to shore. Most of the crew tried to remain on the ship in the hope that help would arrive. However, no one came to the aid of the sailors; lifesaving stations had been closed until December. The elements eventually took their toll on the storm battered men. Many lost their strength and were washed overboard by waves. One huge wave swept at least 12 sailors away at one time. In all, 98 men lost their lives during the night.
Officers Lost:
Commander GEO. P. RYAN.
Lieutenant SIDNEY A. SIMONS.
Lieutenant L. G. PALMER.
Ensign F. W. DANNER.
Master J. M. WRIGHT.
Master W. S. FRENCH.
Passed Assistant Paymaster C. N. SANDERS.
Captain's Clerk GILLETT.
Cadet-Engineer E. N. LOOMIS.
Surgeon GEO. S. CULBRETH.
Chief Engineer E. M. OLSON.
Draughtsman JOHN J. EVANS.
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