Herndon Monument
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The Herndon Monument on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy is a tall grey obelisk. It was erected in memory of Captain William Lewis Herndon who courageously decided to go down with his ship, SS Central America, and the men left aboard rather than save himself on September 12, 1857. All women and children and many of the men aboard were saved by a nearby ship during the storm.
It is the site of the famous "plebes-no-more" ceremony, where the plebes (first year students at the academy) all work together to climb the greased monument and replace a plebe "dixie-cup hat" on top with a midshipman hat. This is the official end of the plebe year and comes as a great relief to all the first year students.
It is a Naval Academy tradition that the Midshipman who replaces the dixie cup hat will be given a pair of Admiral's shoulder boards. Legend says that he or she will be the first of his or her class to make Flag Rank, although in reality this has not yet occurred.
The academy began recording times in 1959. In 1962 Midshipman 4th Class Ed Linz scaled the monument with the aid of a cargo net. Using such devices is now banned.
The record was set in 1969, when Midshipman Larry Fanning made the climb in 1 minute and 30 seconds. However the monument was not greased.
Midshipman 4th Class Melvyn Davis of the Class of 1991 scaled the monument in 43 minutes and 44 seconds in May 1988, believed to be the fastest time since the tradition of greasing the monument began.
Contents |
[edit] Table of recorded times
| Year Climbed | Class Year | Time (H:MM:SS) | Scaler |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | 1962 | 0:12:00[1] | |
| 1962 | 1965 | 0:03:00[2] | Ed Linz |
| 1969 | 1972 | 0:01:30[3] | Larry Fanning |
| 1980 | 1983 | 2:43:00 | |
| 1981 | 1984 | 1:21:00 | |
| 1982 | 1985 | 1:44:00 | |
| 1983 | 1986 | 1:43:55 | |
| 1984 | 1987 | 2:22:00 | |
| 1985 | 1988 | 3:12:23 | |
| 1986 | 1989 | 1:23:07 | |
| 1987 | 1990 | 1:51:20 | |
| 1988 | 1991 | 0:43:44 | Melvyn Davis |
| 1989 | 1992 | 1:51:30 | |
| 1990 | 1993 | 1:34:50 | |
| 1993 | 1996 | 1:38:20 | |
| 1994 | 1997 | 1:44:20 | |
| 1995 | 1998 | 4:05:17[4] | Steve "SteFor" Fortmann |
| 1996 | 1999 | 2:08:46 | |
| 1997 | 2000 | 2:55:17 | |
| 1998 | 2001 | 2:22:55 | Josh "Stew" Stewart |
| 1999 | 2002 | 2:07:41 | |
| 2000 | 2003 | 1:19:44 | |
| 2001 | 2004 | 2:15:52 | |
| 2002 | 2005 | 2:07:41 | Daniel Knott |
| 2003 | 2006 | 1:19:00 | Daniel Shea |
| 2004 | 2007 | 2:19:24 | Philip "Flip" Johnson |
| 2005 | 2008 | 1:16:13 | Dave Olson |
| 2006 | 2009 | 1:14:15[5] | Brian Richards |
| 2007 | 2010 | 1:32:43 | Jamie Shrock |
| 2008 | 2011 | 2:35:59 | Greg Reichel |
| 2009 | 2012 | 1:14:38[6] | Schyler Widman |
[edit] Notes
- ^ First recorded time
- ^ Used a cargo net - "Herndon Monument Climb time: 1:14:38". Capital Gazette Communications, Inc.. 2009-05-19. http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2009/05/19-37/Class-of-2012-climbs-Herndon-in-11438.html. Retrieved on 2009-05-20.
- ^ Fastest time officially recorded, although the monument was not greased
- ^ Longest time
- ^ Fastest time since 1988
- ^ Official time per press release - "Herndon Monument Climb time: 1:14:38". Capital Gazette Communications, Inc.. 2009-05-18. http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2009/05/18-36/Herndon-Monument-Climb-time-11438.html. Retrieved on 2009-05-20.
[edit] References
- http://www.usna.edu/PAO/pressreleases/2008/064%20Herndon.doc
- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=23729
- http://www.usna91.info/downloads/herndon/Capital_May21_1988.pdf
[edit] External links
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