FUNERAL OF COMMODORE GOODENOUGH AND SEAMEN RAYNER AND SMALL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 391, 13 September 1875, Page 3

FUNERAL OF COMMODORE GOODENOUGH AND SEAMEN RAYNER AND SMALL.

(From the Sydney Morning Herald , August 25.) The funeral of Commodore Goodenough. whose untimely death has been heard with such profound grief, and created such a feeling of sorrow throughout the community, together with the funeral of the two brave men, victims of the same massacre, took place yesterday afternoon, at the North Shore. The public offices were closed at noon, and many of the establishments in the city suspended business as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased. Soon after 12 o’clock thousands of persons assembled at the Circular Quay, and all the boats and steamers that could be engaged were thronged with persons anxious to pay their last mark of respect to the dead. So great was the desire on the part of the citizens to express their sorrow at the sad occurrence which his sent such a thrill of horror through the community, that the means of conveyance, though large, were found altogether inadequate for the occasion, and manj were prevented from joining ' in the procession through not being able to get over in time. As the hour of two o’clock approached, the seamen and marines from both the men-of-war in the harbor and the various companies of Rifles and batteries of Artillery and a large muster of the Naval Brigade and the Vernon boys, and also the Grammar school cadets, were drawn up into marching order. Precisely at two o’clock the first minute gun was heard from the Pearl, and the procession from the ship was seen- to start for the Point. Eleven minute guns in all were fired. The procession from the ship consisted of a steam launch, containing the bodies of the two seamen, and towing the Commodore’s gig with his remains on board. Then followed the state barge of his Excellency the Governor. When the funeral had arrived at the Point, the" coffin which contained the remains of Commodore Goodenough was laid on a gun carriage, and covered with the Union Jack, and on it were placed the sword, belt, epaulettes, and hat of the deceased officer. The coffins of the two seamen were placed side by side on another gun carriage, and were also covered with the Union Jack and the hats of the deceased, By this time the Point had become so crowded that it was found necessary to move a part of the procession off, and the marines and seamen of H.M.S. Sappho and H.M.S. Pearl, formed “fours,” and went at quick march to the top of the hill. The general public were then enabled to form into procession order. The cortege was was headed by the crews of the Sappho and Pearl, preceded by the band of the last named vessel. Next came the gun carriages, with the coffins which were drawn by seamen. Immediately following these were the two children (boys) of the deceased, accompanied by the doctor and chaplain of H.M.S. Pearl. Then followed Lady Robinson’s carriage with Mrs Goodenough ; the Governor’s carriage in which were his Excellency Sir Hercules Robinson, the Hon Hely Hutchinson, Captain St John, and Mr Anthony Trollope. The next carriage was that of the Bishop of Sydney with the Right Rev Dr Barker. Then followed the carriages of the Ministry. Next in the order of procession were the Grammar School Cadets, the Volunteer Rifles, the Highland Brigade, the Permanent Force, the Volunteer Artillery, the Naval Brigade, the Vernon boys, with their respective bands, the members of the Seamen’s Union, detachments from the Pearl and the Bernard war vessels, followed by the Volunteers and the various leading dignitaries of the city and colony. The march from the Point to the cemetery was long and toilsome, the roads being very rough and the dust rising in clouds. When the cemetery was reached, the marines and crews of the men-of-war passed into the grounds, and were formed into order round the grave. The coffins remained outside where the funeral procession was formed, and the rest of the cortege passed in. Mrs Goodenough, as chief mourner, with the two children, each carrying beautifully wrought wreaths of flowers, followed the remains towards the graves, which were also accompanied by the Chaplain of the Pearl, and the Bishop of Sydney, his Excellency the Governor and suite, and the members of the Ministry and a few others. The graves lie side by side—that of the commodore being the central one, the grave of the seaman Rayner lying to the right, and that of seaman Small to the left of the Commodore’s. The coffins having been decorated with flowers by loving hands, were gently lowered into their last resting place. The impressive funeral service of the Chnrch of England was read by the chaplain of H.M.S. Pearl, the whole scene being one of deep solemnity. Many present were greatly affected, especially

the men who had been so lately under the Commodore’s command. The benediction was pronounced by the Bishop of Sydney, and three volleys having being firH 1 y a company of men from the Sappho an;! PeaT, the vast assemblage, which numbered s-orne thousands, dispersed. Whilst the service over the grave was being performed, eleven minute guns were fired from the Pearl and eleven more from Dawes’ Battery. The coffin bore the following inscription:— “Commodore James Graham Goodenough, died 20th August, 1875, aged 44 years.” The inscriptions on the coffins of the two seamen gave their names as Edward Rayner and Frederick Small, respectively. Both were eighteen years of age. We may mention, as being a somewhat singular circumstance, that the last public act of the late lamented Commodore in this colony was the unveiling of the statue of Captain Cook, at Randwick—a statue which has been erected to the memory of a brave man, who met with a fate in many respects similar to that which brought his own useful life to an untimely end. At the beginning of an eloquent and masterly oration, which he delivered on the occasion, he applied these words in speaking of Captain Cook’s character—“ That life was an example of diligence, of industry, and of devotion to duty; and the character which became developed was one which shews perseverance, constancy, courage, and generosity.” How truthfully may these words now be applied to the deceased officer, whose praise is in everyone’s mouth.