Kauai in sight, and Sunday night we were off the Bay of Halalea on the
north coast. We then hove to with head to the northwest, the wind having
hauled to the westward. We laid thus until eleven P.M. It being my watch
on deck, I called Mr. Talbot and told him that the night was clear and I
could see the entrance to Halalea Harbor. He ordered the boat to be kept
away and steered for the entrance. As we came near the entrance it
clouded up and became dark, so we hove to again with head to the
northwest. At one A.M. I called my relief. Andrews and Francis came on
deck, as did also Mr. Talbot. After I went below the boat was again kept
away toward the land for a short time and again hove to. At a little
past two A.M. Sunday morning she was kept away again for the third time.
I remained below until I felt from the boat's motion that she was
getting into shoal water. Then I awoke Muir and told him it was time we
went on deck. He did not go, but I did. Just as I got to the cockpit a
sea broke aboard abaft. Mr. Talbot ordered to bring the boat by the
wind. I hauled aft the main sheet with Francis at the helm and the boat
came up into wind. Just then another breaker broke on board and capsized
the boat. Andrews and Francis were washed away and were never afterwards
seen. Muir was still below, and did not get clear until the boat was
righted, when he gave symptoms of insanity. Before the boat was righted
by the sea Mr. Talbot was clinging to the bilge of the boat and I called
him to go to the stern and there get up on the bottom. While he was
attempting to do so he was washed off and sank. He was heavily clothed
and much exhausted. He made no cry. I succeeded in getting on to the
bottom and stripped myself of my clothes. Just then the sea came and
righted the boat. It was then that Muir put his head up the cockpit,
when I assisted him on deck. Soon afterward another breaker came and
again upset the boat; she going over twice, the last time coming upright
and headed on to the breakers. We then found her to be inside of the
large breakers, and we drifted toward the shore at a place called Kalihi
Kai, about five miles from Hanalei. I landed with the water breast-high
and took with me a tin case of dispatches and letters. On board there
was a tin box with its cover broken containing navigation books, charts,
etc., also Captain Sicard's instructions to Lieutenant Talbot, with
others, among which were Muir's and Andrews's discharge papers; they
having been shipped November 15th for one month. (They belong to the
contractors, in whose employ they were previous to that time.) This box
also contained Francis's and my transfer papers and accounts destined
for the Mare Island Navy Yard. This box with everything not lashed fell
into the water when we were first upset.
I landed about three A.M., but saw no one until daybreak, when, seeing
some huts, I went to them and got assistance to get the boat onto the
beach. I had previously, by making five trips to the boat, succeeded
in bringing ashore the long tin case first mentioned, the chronometer,
opera glasses, barometer, one ship's compass, boat's binnacle compass,
and had also assisted Muir to the shore. He was still insane, saying
but little and that incoherently. He groaned a great deal.
I was now much exhausted and laid myself down to rest until sunrise,
when I looked for Muir and found him gone from the place I left him.
Soon after I found him surrounded by several natives, but he was dead
and very black in the face.
During the day I got some food and clothing from the natives--one of
them called Peter. After resting myself Peter and I went on horseback
over to Hanalei to Sheriff Wilcox and Mr. Burt. Then we returned with
the sheriff and coroner to Kalihi Kai, where an inquest was held over
the bodies of Lieutenant Talbot and Muir, the former having drifted
ashore just before I left Kalihi Kai for Hanalei. Mr. Talbot's
forehead was bruised and blackened, apparently from having struck the
boat or wreckage.
After the inquest the two bodies were taken to Hanalei, put into
coffins and buried the next day in one grave at a place where a seaman
belonging to the U.S.S. Lackawanna was buried in 1867. Funeral
services were performed by Mr. Kenny by reading the Episcopal burial
service, and the two Misses Johnson (daughters of an American
missionary) singing.
Before I left Hanalei for Honolulu it was reported by a half-white who
had been left to watch the shore at Kalihi Kai that Andrews's body had
come ashore and had been taken care of.
Captain Dudoit, the schooner Wainona, offered to bring me direct to
Honolulu, leaving his return freight at Wainiea for another trip. I
accepted the same through Mr. Bent, and we sailed for Honolulu on the
evening of Tuesday, December 20, and arrived at Honolulu at eleven A.M.,
December 24, bringing with me the effects saved as aforementioned. I
went, on landing, immediately to the United States Consul's office,
where I saw him and the Minister President and told to them my story.
(_Note._ The reader may remember the incident I related as occurring
at the time we were provisioning the gig; the discovery that the
boiled rice had fermented and the hasty substitution of the dessicated
potatoes. Halford was emphatic to me in the assertion that the potato
was the preserver of their lives and that mixed with water it
constituted their only food during the last week of their sufferings.
The dessicated potato was at that time a part of the Navy ration. It
was also called "evaporated," and was prepared by thoroughly drying
the potato and coarsely grinding it. In appearance it resembles a very
coarse meal.)
* * * * *
Halford has told me of several remarkable incidents which happened
during the voyage of the gig and which, although not considered
essential in his official statement, would be lifelong memories to
him.
[Illustration: WILLIAM HALFORD
The only survivor of the gig's crew. (Now a retired chief gunner
in the Navy.)]
Of one of these he says--and I give his own words: "We were scudding
before a gale of wind under a reefed square sail. A nasty sea was
running at the time. I was standing in the after hatch steering; had
the reeving string of the cover that was nailed around the combings
drawn tight under my armpits to keep out the sea as it washed over the
boat, when I felt a shock. The boat almost capsized, but the next sea
lifted her over. I looked astern and saw a great log forty or fifty
feet long and four or five feet in diameter, water-logged and just
awash. We had jumped clean over it. It was a case of touch and go with
us."
Of another incident he says: "One night I had relieved Peter Francis
at the tiller and he had crawled forward on deck. Somehow or other he
got overboard; luckily we had a strong fishing-line trailing astern
all the voyage, but never got as much as a bite until it caught
Francis and we got him on board again. It was a bright moonlight
night."
Of another happening he says: "Then, when our provisions had run out
entirely, a large bird came and landed on the boat and looked at me as
I stood at the tiller. The other four at this time were very weak from
want of food and from dysentery; they were more dead than alive. I
caught the bird, tore off the feathers, cut it up in five pieces, and
we all had a good meal. It was raw, but it tasted good. About
thirty-six hours after this, just at break of day, as I was sitting at
the tiller, I felt something strike my cheek. It was a little
flying-fish. I caught it, and soon a school of them came skipping
along, several dropping on deck. I captured five or six of them and
they gave us the last meal we had on the gig: for at daylight I saw
land--Tahoora or Kaula Rock."
Our captain has made the following report to the Secretary of the
Navy, which adds to and confirms the story of the lone survivor of the
gig:--
HONOLULU, HAWAIIAN ISLANDS,
_January 18, 1871._
SIR:--I forward herewith the brief report called for by
regulation of the death of Lieutenant J.G. Talbot (and also
three of the crew of the United States Steamer Saginaw) at the
island of Kauai (Hawaiian Group).
I feel that something more is due to these devoted and gallant
friends, who so nobly risked their lives to save those of their
shipmates, and I beg leave to report the following facts
regarding their voyage from Ocean Island and its melancholy
conclusion.
The boat (which had been the Saginaw's gig and was a whaleboat
of very fine model) was prepared for the voyage with the
greatest care. She was raised on the gunwale eight inches,
decked over, and had new sails, etc.
The boat left Ocean Island November 18, 1870. The route
indicated by me to Lieutenant Talbot was to steer to the
northward "by the wind" until he got to the latitude of about 32
degrees north, and then to make his way to the eastward until he
could "lay" the Hawaiian Islands with the northeast trade winds.
He seems to have followed about that route. The boat lost her
sea anchor and oars in a gale of wind and a good deal of her
provision was spoiled by salt water. The navigation instruments,
too, were of but little use, on account of the lively motions of
the boat. When she was supposed to be in the longitude of Kauai
she was really about one and one half degrees to the westward;
thus, instead of the island of Kauai she finally sighted the
rock Kauhulaua (the southwestern point of land in the group) and
beat up from thence to the island of Kauai. She was hove off the
entrance of Hanalei Bay during part of the night of Monday,
December 19th, and in attempting to run into the Bay about 2.30
A.M. she got suddenly into the breakers (which here
made a considerable distance from the shore) and capsized.
I enclose herewith a copy of the deposition of William Halford,
coxswain, the only survivor of this gallant crew; his narrative
being the one from which all accounts are taken. I have not seen
him, personally, as he left here before my arrival.
Peter Francis, quartermaster, and John Andrews, coxswain, were
washed overboard at once and disappeared. Lieutenant Talbot was
washed off the boat, and when she capsized he clung to the
bottom and tried to climb up on it, going to the stern for that
purpose; the boat gave a plunge and Halford thinks that the
boat's gunwale or stern must have struck Mr. Talbot in the
forehead as he let go his hold and went down.
James Muir was below when the boat struck the breakers, and does
not appear to have come out of her until she had rolled over
once. He must have suffered some injury in the boat, as he
appears to have been out of his mind and his face turned black
immediately after his death. As will be seen by Halford's
statement, Muir reached shore, but died of exhaustion on the way
to the native huts.
The body of John Andrews did not come on shore until about
December 20th. All clothes had been stripped from it. The body
of Peter Francis has never been recovered.
The bodies are buried side by side at Hanalei (Kauai). The
service was read over them in a proper manner. Suitable
gravestones will be erected over them by subscription of the
officers and crew of the Saginaw.
As soon as we had gotten on Ocean Island after the Saginaw's
wreck, Lieutenant Talbot volunteered to take this boat to
Honolulu, and the rest volunteered as soon as it was known that
men might perhaps be wanted for such service.
Mr. Talbot was a very zealous and spirited officer. I had
observed his excellent qualities from the time of his joining
the Saginaw (September 23, 1870) in Honolulu. During the wreck
and afterwards he rendered me the greatest assistance and
service by his fine bearing, his cheerfulness, and devotion to
duty. His boat was evidently commanded with the greatest
intelligence, fortitude, and gallantry and with the most
admirable devotion. May the Service always be able to find such
men in the time of need.
The men were fine specimens of seamen--cool and brave, with
great endurance and excellent physical strength. They were,
undoubtedly, those best qualified in the whole party on Ocean
Island to perform such a service. Both Lieutenant Talbot and his
men had very firm confidence in their boat and looked forward
with cheerfulness to the voyage. Such men should be the pride of
the Navy, and the news of their death cast a deep gloom over the
otherwise cheerful feelings with which the Kilauea was welcomed
at Ocean Island.
I do not know that I sufficiently express my deep sense of their
devotion and gallantry; words seem to fail me in that respect.
Previous to the sailing of the boat from Ocean Island I had
enlisted John Andrews and James Muir as seamen for one month.
Since I have ascertained their fate I have ordered them to be
rated as petty officers (in ratings allowed to most of the
"fourth rates"), as I have thought that all the crew of that
boat should have stood on equal footing as regards the amount
they might be entitled to in case of disaster, as they all
incurred the same risk.
Andrews and Muir belonged to the party of Mr. G.W. Townsend
(the contractor at Midway Islands), and it was made a condition,
by them, of their enlistment that it should not interfere with
their contract with Mr. Townsend. It was intended as the
security of their families against the risk incurred while
performing the great service for the shipwrecked party. I have
forwarded their enlistment papers to the Bureau of Equipment and
Recruiting.
I am very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
MONTGOMERY SICARD,
Lieut. Comdr. U.S.N. Comd'g.
HON. GEORGE M. ROBESON,
Secretary of the Navy.
_In God's Country again_
_San Francisco, February 8, 1871._ After a pleasant voyage in the
Moses Taylor we are again, all hands,--minus our gallant comrades,--on
American soil, and the cruise of the Saginaw is officially closed. The
officers have taken up quarters on shore, and the crew temporarily
transferred to the U.S. Steamer Saranac for discharge or detail as
their period of enlistment may require. The gig came with us and will
be temporarily stored until it is decided as to her future. We have
started a subscription for a suitable memorial to the gig's heroes,
and the other ships of the squadron have generously offered their
help. The most approved plan seems to be a marble tablet on the walls
of the chapel at the Naval Academy, and the captain has made a sketch
of one as it would appear there.
(_Note. November 1, 1871._ The tablet as designed has been completed
and delivered at the Naval Academy. The following picture shows its
appropriate character, and I deem it a fitting conclusion to my story.
The gig is also to go to the Naval Academy to be deposited in the
Museum.)
[Illustration: THE TABLET
Now on the walls of the chapel at the United States Naval
Academy]
THE END
APPENDIX
I
I have been asked several times how it came about that our good ship
could have met her sad fate when so recently out of port, her officers
knowing the existence of the dangers so near. I have confined my
narrative to personal experiences and to incidents of the life under
the conditions surrounding us. However, as such questions may arise in
the mind of some readers and in order to enlighten them, I set down
below some copies of the results from official investigations by those
higher in authority.
First: There is the report of the Court of Inquiry held upon our
arrival in San Francisco, which reads thus:--
The Court is of the opinion that the wrecking of the Saginaw was
caused by a current, as the evidence shows care in running the
vessel at a safe rate of speed and the log-line was found to be
correct two days before and had been used only ten hours at sea
afterward, and that Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Sicard used
due vigilance and care in the navigation of his vessel, and
after striking upon the reef that he exercised sound judgment
and exhibited great skill and prudence.
This was followed later by the Secretary of the Navy's annual report
to the President, from which the following is an extract:--
Leaving Midway Islands on the 28th of October, Commander Sicard,
of the Saginaw, determined to run to Ocean Island, a small
island lying about one hundred miles to the westward of Midway,
to rescue any sailors who might have been wrecked there and who,
being out of the ordinary track of vessels in that part of the
Pacific Ocean, would have little chance of relief from any other
source. This expedition, though in the direct line of his duty
as the commander of a naval vessel, was fraught with the usual
perils of navigation in unknown and dangerous waters, and about
three o'clock on the morning of the 29th of October, the
Saginaw, running slowly in the darkness, was wrecked on a reef
outlying the island for which she was bound. With much exertion
and the exercise of much energy and skill, all on board,
including the officers and men of the ship and the working
party from Midway Islands, were safely landed, with a small
allowance of provisions and materials rescued from the wreck.
Cast upon the shores of an uninhabited island with scanty means
of subsistence, out of the line of travel, and more than one
thousand miles from the nearest port of refuge or relief, then
it was that the commanding officer of the Saginaw illustrated
the benefits of the comprehensive education and strict training
which he had received at the hands of the Government and
exhibited the high personal qualities which characterize him as
an officer. Ably seconded by his subordinate officers of every
grade, Commander Sicard took immediately every possible means
for the health, safety, and final relief of those who were
committed to his command. Whatever could be saved from the wreck
was at once secured; measures were immediately taken to keep up
the health, spirits, and discipline of the men: fresh water was
distilled by means of an old boiler, and everything was
organized so that there was no waste of either provisions,
material, or labor.
The boat fittest for the service was promptly repaired,
provisioned, and equipped, as far as might be, for the perilous
voyage. Manned by one officer and four men, all of whom
volunteered for the service, it was dispatched to Honolulu, the
nearest port from which relief could be expected. After her
departure work was vigorously pushed on the island; and when
finally rescued, the shipwrecked marines with well-directed
labor had almost completed, from the material of their old ship,
a new schooner perfectly seaworthy and sufficient, under
favorable circumstances, to carry the whole shipwrecked party to
a port of safety. I have thus collated some of the facts of this
case to illustrate my high opinion of the energy and ability
displayed by Commander Sicard and his comrades on this occasion
and to show how well such conduct repays the favor of the
Government.
After relating the history of the boat's voyage which we have already
read, the Secretary concludes as follows:--
The death of Lieutenant Talbot closed a career of unusual
promise, and in it the Navy lost a brilliant and beloved member.
A skillful sailor, an accomplished officer, and a Christian
gentleman, his self-sacrifice has arrested the attention of his
comrades and will remain an example to the Service which in life
his virtues adorned and whose highest qualities were illustrated
in the crowning heroism of his death. His comrades of humbler
rank will not be forgotten; with him they faced the dangers of
the lonely ocean and offered their lives with his to save their
shipwrecked messmates, and no one can estimate how much of
danger and suffering, perhaps death, was saved through the
courage and endurance of the sole survivor of that gallant
boat's crew.
II
The following is a list of the officers and crew of the Saginaw as it
appeared on the pay-roll at the time she was wrecked; I feel that I
should name them all in recognition of a comradeship in suffering
never to be forgotten where each one performed his duty
unflinchingly:--
_Officers_
Montgomery Sicard, lieutenant commander.
John G. Talbot, lieutenant.
J.K. Cogswell, Perry Garst, and A.H. Parsons, ensigns.
George H. Read, passed assistant paymaster.
James Butterworth, passed assistant engineer.
H.C. Blye, passed assistant engineer (in charge of contractor's
party).
John J. Ryan, C.D. Foss, Herschel Main, and Jones Godfrey, second
assistant engineers.
George H. Robinson, master's mate.
_Petty Officers_
Peter Francis, quartermaster.
Nicholas Barton, quartermaster.
Thomas Hayes, sailmaker's mate.
John Lane, boatswain's mate.
James Foschack, gunner's mate.
J.M. Logan, yeoman.
William Halford, coxswain.
Samuel A. Thompson, master at arms.
Charles Hale, paymaster's yeoman.
A.E. Myfinger, cabin steward.
Solomon Graves, cabin cook.
Joseph Ross, wardroom steward.
George D. Wauchoss, wardroom cook.
Henry B. Clark, third-class apothecary.
William Edman, ship's cook.
Henry Wallace, steerage steward.
L. McCabe, steerage cook.
_First-class firemen_, Francis Scott, Lorenzo Coburg, George
White.
_Second-class fireman_, George Hubert.
_Seamen_, William Cairns, Michael Lynch, Henry D. Vivian, Daniel
Collins.
_Ordinary seamen_, Joseph A. Bailey, John H. Wallace, Dennis A.
Fitzgerald, John Daley, Charles Brown, Dennis M. Hayes, Michael
Jordan, Edward James.
_Landsmen_, James Nichols, W.J. Evans, Edward O'Brien, Thomas
Kearney, J.R. Miller, Martin Doran, William Fallon, Thomas
Larkin, Joseph McLaughlin, George Saunders, William Combs,
Joseph A. Agarrie, Michael Garvey, John Murphy, John Downs,
James McNamara, John Riley, Thomas Melody, James M. Nolan.
_Marine guard_, Charles A. Martin, orderly sergeant; John G.
Moore, corporal; Phillip Morris, corporal.
_Privates_, D.G. Brennan, Thomas Wiseman, David Muir, James
Sarsfield, Thomas Jones, John McGrath, Lewis Peck.
The Riverside Press
CAMBRIDGE . MASSACHUSETTS
U.S.A
* * * * *
End of Project Gutenberg's The Last Cruise of the Saginaw, by George H. Read