Ship of Gold the SS Central America: The Final Voyage of the SS Central America, by Normand E. Klare and Herndon and Gibbon, The First North American Explorers of the Amazon Valley a new title by Normand E. Klare Herndon, Virginia.

Herndon Virginia. William Lewis Herndon.

Ship of Gold - The SS Central America,  Herndon & Gibbon Lieutenants United States Navy. 

You have reached the Official Website of Author and Historian Normand E. Klare; Author of the Final Voyage of the SS Central America, and Herndon & Gibbon, The First North American Explorers of the Amazon Valley .  The SS Central America, alias Ship of Gold, is a true story of a tragedy at sea that documents through actual accounts of the survivors, heroism and the despair of the crew of a doomed gold ship.  See how a captain miles at sea and unaware of the tragedy suddenly changes his destined course to find waves of men floating in the sea, clinging to refuge within a vast ocean. An epic true life adventure of a gold ship's misfortune while transporting a huge shipment of gold from San Francisco.

NEW: The AMAZON VALLEY! Experience true life adventure in Normand E. Klare's new book title ``Herndon and Gibbon, The First North American Explorers of the Amazon Valley" as he investigates the Amazon and studies earlier accounts of Captain Herndon's 4000 mile scientific expedition of the mysterious and treacherous Amazon. Set out on adventure as he retraces their steps from their own journals the Author readily presents! Be with Herndon as he is assigned the unusual task as a naval officer to map the Amazon River from it's source to its end in the Atlantic Ocean! Share their thoughts as they brave the altitudes of the Andes to the deep mysterious and dangerous savage filled jungles of the Amazon. Herndon Virginia. William Lewis Herndon.

Over 20 years of research and collection of actual accounts on both subjects, including personal investigation into the Amazon himself, establishes this as an epic true life adventure not to be matched. Herndon Virginia. William Lewis Herndon.

Normand E. Klare's extensive research on his title ``The Final Voyage of the SS Central America" (alias Ship of Gold) has been quoted on virtually every book on the subject. The equally exhaustive research gathered and analyzed on ``Herndon and Gibbon The First North American Explorers of the Amazon Valley" and displayed diaries from the actual accounts, establishes this title as a ``Great American Classic".

The first edition of ``Herndon and Gibbon, The First North American Explorers of the Amazon Valley" is being released at this time only through the Author's own publishing release, from Klare Taylor Publishers.

Reserve your copy today!

The Final Voyage of the Central America
The Ship of Gold

The Voyage

CHAPTER III By Normand E. Klare

  While Captain Herndon and his crew sailed from New York, August 20, 1857, on the Central America's  forty-fourth trip, more than four hundred people in the western city of San Francisco purchased tickets for departure, the same date, on the steamship Sonora, destined for Panama and transfer to the Central America at Aspinwall. San Francisco had been several times destroyed by fire. Each reconstruction of the city saw improvement as it progressed from a city of canvas to one of wood, then to a metropolis of bricks, a thriving port city. By 1853 she was called the "Queen of the Pacific." She had 160hotels, 18 churches, 10 schools, 3 hospitals, 14 fire companies, 19 banking firms, 13 foundries and more. Built over piles in the water were two and one-half miles of streets and twelve wharves. There were planked roads and a few of cobblestones. Around the two major public squares were a large number of elegant and substantial brick and stone buildings with such fireproofing as exterior window-shutters and doors of thick wrought-iron.   By 1854, the United States Mint had opened, streets were lighted with coal gas, and amusement parks, such as Russ' Gardens, were developed where outdoor concerts and other entertainments were enjoyed. Two omnibus lines ran to the Mission district. Population pressures continued. In 1855, more than thirty-one thousand persons and eleven-hundred-fifty vessels arrived from all over the world, leading to the establishment of over twenty-seven foreign consulates by 1857.   And, by 1857, San Francisco proudly included several new buildings of respectable size, housing government, professional and business offices. Riddle's Building, on the south side of Clay Street, between Sansome and Leidesdorf, housed the California Chronicle, published by Frank Soule. The Customs House Block, described as a large and elegant building at the southeast corner of Sansome and Sacramento

 ``I Frank Soule, Annols of San Francisco, 494-548. John S. Hittell, History . . . of San Francisco.

The Final Voyage of the
Central America
1857

by Normand E. Klare

The Central Americacarried 491 passengers from Panama towards New York when she was caught in a mammoth hurricane in 1857. On board was a large shipment of gold from California.

The sinking of the SS Central America in 1857 resulted in the greatest loss of life on a commercial passenger vessel of the nineteenth century. The SS Central America sinking and loss of the ships considerable cargo of gold treasure aboard, significantly contributed  to the financial panic which subsequently rocked the United States.

The eyewitness accounts of survivors reveal a riveting story of tragedy and heroism. Causes of the disaster, natural and human, are detailed and analyzed. Heroes and heroines are identified, and biographies of the major characters provided.

Rediscovered in 1987, the wreck is now being salvaged by the Columbus-America Discovery Group. This operation has received widespread press coverage and the artifacts will soon be exhibited.
 
 The writings of Mr. Klare's book published in 1992. The book was written from exhaustive research following actual written accounts of the survivors of the ill fated gold ship ``The Central America"  which sank in 1857.
 
His thorough research since 1976, documentation, and writing skill have resulted in an exciting, yet scholarly narrative quoted in other later books on the subject.

A brief history of the Author:

As a World War II B -17 pilot, Normand flew, among others, 34 bombing missions over targets in Germany and France.

Normand continued his career in Air Force aviation as a Assistant Professor of Air Science at Arizona State University.

A thorough study and research of the events:

Normand's interest in those subjects he has focused upon, came both from his interests as a historian and from family ties to those survivors of the tragedy.

Letters and diaries led Normand to research accounts and write two books that cover the travels of men that braved the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Recognized on the History Channel:

Most recently, Normand was interviewed by the History Channel and he can be seen and heard on their production series:

Histories Mysteries: "Ship of Gold". 
 

TO ORDER BOOKS:

Be sure to indicate which book:

 1.) The Voyage of the Central America or
 2.) Normand Klare's ``Herndon and Gibbon, the First North American Explorers of the Amazon Valley."

* For any order or larger orders for schools, libraries, organizations or colleges, send e-mail

Individual books can be purchased for $37.95 plus $4.25 S&H each; either using Visa or Master Card on Pay Pal by clicking the Pay Pal icon on this page link

 Please also e-mail:admin@pacificwestcom.com to indicate which title and quantity. Book dealers inquires welcome.

Exhaustive Material Shows Promise for Film:

Normand's exhaustive research present such a thorough description that directors will have little problem in making a film production that will be authentic to the time, subject and human drama.

Aside from the numerous and additional unpublished notes compiled on the people of "The Final Voyage of the Central America" (alias Ship of Gold), Normand E. Klare has compiled from his research and travels a second book title, directly relating to the lives of the people in the first book; all from factual accounts, letters and dairies of those explorers. ``Herndon and Gibbon, The First North American Explorers of the Amazon Valley" is now complete and offers a full documentation of the lives and times of these men..

Over 20 years of research and collection of actual accounts on both subjects, including personal investigation into the Amazon himself, establishes this as an epic not to be matched.

Recent Developments on Recovered Gold Promotions Present a Greater Promise:

In promotion of the gold that has been recovered from this gold ship, a replica of the ship has been built and is traveling from port to port. A promotion drive which sells the gold by the purchasers of the coins is now under way.

Book Movie rights for sale:

Should you have interest in purchasing film rights to these books, please contact me, Richard Taylor, acting agent for Normand Klare, at 541-821-3778; or e-mail me admin@pacificwestcom.com. I can arrange a meeting with Mr. Klare to discuss this option.

Normand Klare's Book the The Final Voyage of the Central America has been quoted and reviewed by many sources that can be easily found on the internet, a few sites quoting Normand's writings can be found on these links:

San Diego Historical Society:
http://sandiegohistory.org/journal/94winter/br-final.htm

California Historical Society:
http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/exhibits/past_exhibits/shipofg old/story.html

Bowers and Merena QUOTED: 
http://www.bowersandmerena.com/articles/article_view.chtml?artid=2875 &universeid=494

Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Herndon is a town in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 21,655 at the 2000 census, which makes it the largest of three towns in the county. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Herndon was named for Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer and author of Exploration of the Valley of the Amazon. Commander Herndon captained the ill-fated steamer SS Central America, going down with his ship while helping to save over 150 of its passengers and crew. The settlement was named Herndon in 1858. In the 1870s, many Northern soldiers and their families came to settle in the area, taking advantage of moderate climate and low land prices.[2] Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Originally part of the rural surroundings of the Washington, D.C. area, the town of Herndon developed into a hub of dairy farming and vacationing for area residents, aided by its presence along the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad (later to become the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad).[2] When the railroad was converted into a hike-and-bike trail, Herndon capitalized on history and small-town feel (in a major metropolitan region) by converting its train station into a museum and visitors center and by relocating a Northfolk Southern Railway caboose nearby.[3] Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

On January 14, 2004, the Town of Herndon commemorated its 125th anniversary.[4] Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.


Herndon is part of the Dulles Technology Corridor, which Fortune magazine named the "Netplex" because of the presence of the headquarters of such companies as  INTERNIC — the registry where every domain name was once administered. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

The town is organized as an incorporated town by the Commonwealth of Virginia, [5] [6] and is governed by an elected Mayor and Town Council [7] who serve on a part-time basis. The current Mayor is Steve J. DeBenedittis, elected in 2006. The Mayor chairs the Council and heads the executive branch of the town government, and is supported by a full-time professional staff headed by the Town Manager (Steve Owen as of 2006). Herndon, Virginia. The Police Department is independent of the county police department, is headed by Colonel Toussaint E. Summers, Jr. and consists of 70 sworn officers along with the assistance of the Herndon Police Citizen Support Team. The Herndon Police Department achieved national recognition on November 8, 1986 by becoming the 7th police agency in Virginia and the 42nd police agency in the United States to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. [8] Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Herndon contains the Herndon Depot Museum, the site of "Mosby's Raid on Herndon Station". The raid was a Civil War skirmish that took place on St. Patrick's Day in 1863. Also within the town is a golf course, community center with basketball and racquetball courts, and an aquatic center. Adjacent to the community center is Bready Park, with indoor tennis courts. Additionally, every residence within the town borders is within a mile or less of a public park.Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Nearby attractions include the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum (which houses the Enola Gay B-29 Superfortress, a Concorde supersonic passenger airplane, an SR-71A Blackbird plane and the Space Shuttle Enterprise), Frying Pan Park, Sully Plantation, Reston Town Center, Mount Vernon, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Colvin Run Mill, Aldie Mill, Oatlands Plantation, Manassas National Battlefield Park and the Washington and Old Dominion Trail (which runs through the town). Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship.Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship.Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Herndon is within the Fairfax County Public Schools district. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town. Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship.Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

   1. Herndon, Virginia. by Place - GCT-PH1. Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2000. US Census Bureau (April 1, 2000). Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.
   2. a b Herndon History. Town of Herndon, Virginia (January 18, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-10-07. Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.
   3. Charles V. Munro (2005-10-19). "A history of Herndon through the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.". Herndon Connection. Retrieved on 2007-02-07. Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.
   4. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 327. Virginia Legislative Assembly (January 29, 2004). Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship.
   5. Code of Ordinances - Town of Herndon, Virginia; Charter, Chapter 2, Powers. Town of Herndon. Retrieved on 2006-10-07.Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia.
   6. Code of Virginia, Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns, Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns. Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.
   7. Code of Ordinances - Town of Herndon, Virginia; Charter, Chapter 3, Mayor and Council. Town of Herndon. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.
   8. Herndon Police Department (2005-02-22). Special News Release (Microsoft Word). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.
   9. Runnymede's Town Twinning Association. Runnymede Borough Council. Retrieved on 2006-10-04. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Fairfax County Public Schools district. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.

Fairfax County Public Schools district. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town.
Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia.

Herndon, Virginia. Fairfax County Public Schools district. Both Herndon High School and Westfield High School serve the town. Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer Amazon, SS Central America Steamer.Gold Paddle Wheel Steam Ship. Herndon, Virginia.

Herndon, Virginia. United States.