Herndon Monument, Historic monument at Naval Academy in Annapolis, United States
The Herndon Monument is a grey granite obelisk on the Naval Academy grounds in Annapolis, Maryland, rising about 21 feet (6.4 meters) into the air. The memorial has a square base and sits on a low platform between the main academy buildings, surrounded by walkways and lawns.
The obelisk was erected in honor of Commander William Herndon, who gave his life in September 1857 during the sinking of the SS Central America to save 149 passengers. His decision to remain with the sinking ship while others evacuated made him a symbol of duty and sacrifice for the US Navy.
First-year midshipmen gather each May to climb the greased obelisk, replacing a plebe cover at the summit with an upperclassman's hat. This ritual often takes several hours and marks the transition from plebe to sophomore year, requiring teamwork as the participants support one another on the slippery surface.
The memorial stands near the Naval Academy Chapel and forms part of a larger campus that visitors can explore on foot. Access to this area may be restricted depending on academy activities, so checking visitor guidelines ahead of time is helpful.
The Class of 1972 set the fastest climbing record at just 1 minute and 30 seconds, while the Class of 1998 took over 4 hours due to a particularly secured hat. These extreme differences show how much preparation and hat-securing methods can influence the outcome.
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