The New York herald., 1871-01-14
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. Is, 1871.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 1871.
for Midway Island two months ago with orders to
bring on the contractors party the appropriation
Tor improving the harbor having given out. sha
left Midway Island with the said party on the after
noon OF October 2s. Captain sicard had heard ru-
mors that some people were shipwrecked on ocean
Island and steered for It, intending to rescue them
II the report proved correct. He gave orders to 60
very slow. expecting to make the island next MORN
ing. At twenty minutes past two O'Clock on the
Goth The captain came on deck and ordered the
mainsail taken in. and engine stopped. reducing
speed to one and half knots. At three A. NJ.
the onicer Of the deck reported the wind fresh
ening and ship going two and half knots.
A few minutes later the lookouts reported
breakers ahead. The engines were at once backed
as hard as the low steam would allow, and the ne
cessary orders given to place the ships head
on shore, but the men OF the watch appeared para
lyzed. AL hands were at once called, and by great
exertions the t0psail was taken lii. The engines
were backing, but there not sufficient steam to
send her astern against wind and sea. The topsail
was used, but just IL hoisted up the steamer
struck.
IL was scarcely ten minutes after she was thrown
upon the reef before the vessel biged, and she at
once filed with water. In one hour afterwards she
broke in two forward and it became evident that II
would not be long before the entire hull would 70 to
pieces. The swell on the reef was very heavy,
washing completely over the vessel, and all saw
that not much time was 10 be lost. On account
OF the steamer not beng diagonally braced her
breaking up became much more rapid. All hands
were at WORK saving all that could be saved. The
boats were all safely lowered but one, and they were
used In transporting provisions and other
to the inhospitable Shore All the guns and other
heavy articles sunk In deep water outside the reef
Paymaster's money, safe and booksiand log book,
saved. All government stores, mems clothing, &C..
lost
Most providcntally oil the officers and crew were
landed In safety, and they were living in temporary
huts constructed OF sails and awnings. 1t was
found that by going on quarter rations there had
been saved provisions enough to last four months,
and 1t was so ordered. 4
II was ON the day after the wreck that Lieutenant
Talbot volunteered to take boat and go to Homo
lulu-one thousand miles distant-f0r assist
ance, and Commander Sicard, IN his on
clal report, bears testimony to the courage
and noble conduct OF this gallant young ocer, who
after days OF suffering was about accomplishing his
errand OF being able to send relief to his shpwrecked
companions, when ne unfortunately lost his life.
The Hawaiian steamer Kilama, which was de.
spatched by the UnIted States Minister at the
Sandwich Islands, is expected at Honolulu
on her return from Ocean Island about the
18th inst, ana unless Commander Sicard has
succeeded in communicating with the China steam
er, we shall probably hear OF their rescne some
time during this month or in the early part Of Feb
ruary. Should the China steamer have taken them
or they may be heard from flrsr at Japan.
The above contains all the information we have
here concerning the loss OF the Saginaw, and there
is nothing new at Honolulu.
HER OFFICERS
In addition to the list OF officers OF the Saginaw
before published in the HERALD, have the names
Of James X. Cogswel Of Wisconsin, and Perry
Garst, Of Illinois, Ensigns.
OmcIal Despatch to the War Department..
The following Is the second official despatch con-
corning the Sagihaw's loss, but it contains nothing
that has NOT heretofore been published In the
HERALD }E
WASHINGTON. Jan. ID 1871.
The Secretary OF State has received a despatch
from the United states Minister at Honolulu, dated
at that place December "a, received by way or San
wrecked on ocean Island October 20. All hands
were saved, with three months provisions, quarter
the 18TH OF November Q boat was sent to Homo
lulu to obtain relief, with William Half0rd, John
Andrews James Muir and Peter Francis On De-
cember 10 the boat was upset In the surf at the
Island OF Kana. and all except Halford were
drowned. All the bodies were recovered with the
exception OF t,at OF Francis. Haford reached
Honolulu on the oath OF December. with tin case
OF dispatches saved and forwarded by this mail.
The Minister says he has despatched schooner and
steamer, which sailed on the oath and Goth OF De-
cember, with ample supplies for the rescued. Ninety
three persons from the wreck are on Ocean Island
rue tpcon