The New York herald., 1871-01-10


SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. s, 1871.
GEORGE NJ. ROBEs0N, Secretary OF the Navy
The saginaw was lost on ocean Island on the Goth
reached Sandwich Islands after thirty days BY boat
he was drowned, with three men, by the surf. There
was one survivor lett. who gave Information.
Hawaiian steamer and schooner sailed for the rescue
JOHN A. wINsLOw.
Rear Admiral Commanding
Opinion Of Naval Officers mt WashinGton-Lo-
cation Of the French Frigate Shonls-A Tale
OF Horror Expccted-Despntch Sent by the
Navy Department to Honolnlu-Full List of
Her Officers aud Crew.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Q, 1871
The despatch received here this morning from
San Francisco announcing the total wreck OF the
United States steamer Saginaw and the loss Of four
OF her crew while attempting TO make landing on
the Island OF KanaI after having braved the perils
OF The ocean In q small open boat for more than q
month during which time they sailed over 1000
miles, created deep sensation among the COM
munity and fell like pail over the officials OF the
Navy Department In the brief details that
have reached here, and which In all proba-
hlllty will be oil that will be received Tor
some time to come, 1t Is thought by many
that tales of horror are hidden. Among the higher
naval officers stationed here are several who have
repeatedly traversed the waters contiguous to the
acquainted with the character of the shoals on which
the Saginaw was wrecked. These officers entertain
serious doubts OF the safety OF that portion OF the
ships crew which remained on Ocean Island. From
their description 1t appears to be bleak, barren
spot exposed to the erces fury OF the elements. and
wholly destitute of everything that would support
life. II 1t be true that quarter raons only were
issued to the ships company after the striking OF
the vessel these officers say that many must have per-
ished from starvation, the boats crew were much
| more literally rationed than their comrades, and
| yet their food was almost entirely exhausted in
the month spent at sea. Further developments are,
therefore looked for with anxiety, and the depart
ment has elegraphed to the United States Consul at
Honolulu TO transmit full details of the wrecklng Of
the vessel and the fate OF the survivors as soon as
he possibly ascertain them. 1t Is a matter OF
great surprise at the Navy Department that the
Saginaw should have been lost at that particular
point Ocean island Is far removed from the ordl
nary line Of travel, and is at least a thousand
miles from the Midway Islands, where the Saginaw
was supposed to have been engaged in taking
soundings preparatory TO the establish.
ment OF coalng station for the
steamers running between San Francisco and
Japan. On the chart the French Frlgate Shoals lie
in southwesterly direction from the Sandwich
Islands from which II is separated by parallel lines
OF reef. that TO reach the scene OF the wreck
vessel coming from the Midway Islands, which lie to
the north OF the Sandwich group would he forced to
| make long detour OF several hundred miles. In
the absence OF any known or supposed reason for
the presence OF the Saginaw at this point the de-
partment Is inclined 10 the opinion that she became
disabled in some way while at sea, and was forced
there by stress Of weather. The Saginaw was
| small fourth rate sidewheel steamer of 2S5
| tons, mounting ten guns, with crew Of
| severty-seven officers and men all told. She was
built at San Francisco IN 1858, and her first cruise
was to the East Indies. where she remained about
| two years and five months, under the command Of
Commander now Rear Admra James +. Schenck.
Since then she has always been Stationed with tue
Meets In the upper and lower Pacific. and about two
years since she was despatched In charge OF Com
mander Il. w. Meade, TO make survey OF the
Aieutian Islands, lying Off Alaska. Subsequently
she was sent to the Midway ISLANDS on the mission
which has 50 recently resulted IN her destruction.
The following Is fun list OF her offcers and crew
as late as September 80, 1906
OFFICERS.
Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Sicard, OF
New York, commanding
George Ii. Read, OF Pennsylvania, passed assistant
paymaster.
James ButGerwCrth OF Massachusetts, nrst assist
II. q. blye Of Pennsylvania, first assistant en-
A. f. Parsons. OF Ohio, ensign.
G. ID. Foss OF Massachusetts, second assistant en-.
gineer.
Jonn J. Ryan, of Pennsylvania, second assistant
engineer.
assistant engineer.
engineer.
Ensgns L. G. Logan, Ii. Perkins and w. s. Cowles
were detached some time since, and, with one ex-
ception, have reached their homes. The precise
whereabouts OF their successors excepting Lieuten
ant Talbot is not definitely known, but 1t is thought
they were on board the Saginaw.
PETTY OFFICERS.
Peter Francis quartermaster.
Nicholas Barton, quartermaster.
Thomas Hayes sailmakers mate.
John Lane, b0atswain's mate.
James F0schach gunner's mate.
j. NJ. Logan, yeoman
william Hallord, coxswain.
Samuel A. Thompson, master-atarms.
Charles Hale paymastcr's clerk
A. 4. MyGnger, cabin steward.
Solomon Graves cabin COOK.
George d. Wauch0ss, ward room cook.
Henry y, Clark, third class apotnecary-
Joseph Ross, ward room steward.
william Edman, ships cook.
Henry Wallace steerage steward.
Law McCabc, steerage cook.
FIRST CLASS FTREMEN.
Francis Scott Lorenzo Coburg.
''os SECOND CLASS FIREMAN,
'eo's ''' sEAMEN
William Cairns, Henry D. Vivian,
Michael Lynch, Daniel Collins,
ORDINARY SEAMEN.
Joseph A. Bailey, Charles Brown,
John Il. Wallace, Dennis nj. Hayes
Dennis A. Fitzgerald, Michael Jordan,
JOAN Daley, Edward James
LANDSMEN
James Nichols, William Coombs,
W. j. Evans. Joseph A. Agarrie,
Edward 0'Brien, Michael Garvey,
Thomas Kearney. John Murphy,
], n. Miller, John Downs,
Martin Doran, James Mcnamara,
William Faon, John Riley,