The New York herald., 1871-01-17
Statement of the Sole Survivor
Of the Gigs Crew.
Porils and Sufferings Encountered
In an Open Boat.
THE FATAL ATTEMPT TO LAND.
Prompt Despatch of Relief for the
Unfortunates.

Dy report which came from Kauai TO the effect
that the United States steamer Saginaw was lost.
schooner brought up OF the crew OF the steam
er the only survivor OF boats crew Of i've, which
left the scene OF the wreck for succor From this
survivor the following story has been gathered
The Saginaw arrived at Midway Island on the 10th
October where she remained until the 2sth, at half
past hve In the afternoon, when she got under
weigh TO run over to Ocean Island, about seventy
miles distant TO look up a reported wreck. At half
past two the next morning she ran ashore the
reef at Ocean Island. The surf was running high
and the boats were mostly swept away the gig and
a stoven cutter being saved.
the crew was landed without loss OF fe and efforts
immediately commenced to save provisions. The SIT
uancn OF the crew was pitiape enough-nnety eight
souls on low sand island without shelter and but
little clothing Provisions were saved In dam.
aged condition, which would supply quarter rations
for four months, ana, fortunately. water was found
which was palatable. For the next eighteen DAYS
the crew was variously employed about the Island
The gig was In the hands OF the carpenter, being
raised On some ten inches am1dships tapering or to
about four inches forward and AFT and light deck
buit over all. new suit OF sails was also made
and bent, and the provisions portioned out Tor a
crew OF nve persons.
AT last, on the 18th November, a volunteer crew
consisting OF Lieutenant J. G. Talbot Quartermaster
vivor, John Andrews and James Muir seamep.
took their places in the boat for voyage to the
island of Kauai the most northerly OF the inhabited
Islands OF this group. The lieutenant was made
bearer OF number of letters 10 Officials and others
residing here. The boat voyage was an unusually
Tough one the boat having been overtaken by three
gaies win neayy SEAS On each occasion the little
craft was brought head to the wind and seas, and
Kept In her position by means OF drag which
broke The force OF the before they reached the
boat TINS drag was made from three oars and
come lead weights. on the last occasion the
hawser parted and the drag was swept away.
together with the oars which remained in the boat
The boat was carried far to leeward OF her course
and the small supply Of provisions was fast dimin.
1shing. On the 10th of December, after being
fWenty-egnf days at sea, the began to despair
OF making land and proposed to wend their way
back TO ocean Island. Soon rock was seen ahead
wnlch proved to be Kaula, and now hope revived
The boat was kept on her course. in the face OF
adverse Winds Provisions almost gone Dut two
taDiespooaiuls OF dessciated potatoes and little
waller being served out each day. Halord SAYS that
the neutenants strength OF mind and purpose
seemed Iaiilng; In fact that starvation was
doing It's WORK. On the 18th OF December they
were enough to windward OF Kauai TO
venture 10 run for the island did not get in close
90 the officer thought; but the coxswa,n prevailed
upon him to make the attempt, and the boat was
Kept on for Hanalel Bay. But as the boat drew in
the lieutenant changed his mind and headed or
shore again. Halford went below, bur says that
SeHefai umes the ooats course was changed, as
though the ofricer was wavering as to what was
best TO be done. At last the coxswa,n could stand
II no longer, SO aroused MUIR, who was also below,
and said something was wrong and he was going on
S7nnE
ing aft, he saw heavy comoer nearly upon them
The boat was caught and carried in some
distance. when the Lieutenant gave the order
10 put the tler hard down, the boat coming in the
wind just as another roller came H. which rolled
the boat over. The coxswain says he saw Lfeuten.
ant Talbot and told him to go forward and try to
scramble on to the bottom OF the boat, which he
did, bun soon another roller took the boat turning
her right side up again. the lieutenant Francis and
Andrews being swept away.
The boat was now over the reef In smooth water
Muir had managed 10 cling 10 the boat but was evil
dently crazed, as he was muttering incoherentiy
The coxswan now took his shlpmate ashore, then
returned TO the boat and took Jacket and other
clothing, with winch he made Muir comfortable
Again returning TO the boat ne saved the chronome.
Ter and compass. As soon possible he started Tor
a native house for assistance.
The body of Lieutenant Talbot was found and
cared for Poor Muir was dead wnen they found
him, and. together with the lieutenant was buried
at Hanaie. This is all The story winch can be OBJ
tanned at present The United states Consul and
Minister Resident made arrangements 10 despatch a
schooner with provisions and got her on the same
day. In the meantime arrangements were made to
have The bark Comet proceed the wreck aud carry
the Survivors to San Francisco Tne Minister was
soon notified that the services OF the steamer Klla
mos aaD11 .p had and
ment promptly rendered her to proceed to the wreck
and return 10 this port WIN the crew. The steamer
was coaied, provisioned ana sent of on the 26th
tlnder command OF Cap tain Thomas Long an old
and experienced commander. The prompt action
81 the sovernmen! is certainly deserving Of praise.
Jhe steamer Will doubt be back mere with the
Survivors 10y the 20tl OF January.
IN a business way 10 Improvement can he noted
since iny iast. Goods have been forced upon the
market without stunt, through the medium OF auc-
uoneers, until at last cheap goods and long credits
fall TO tempt retailers Business men speak quite
Freely Oh an approaching crisis III mercantile AFFAIRS.
All that remains 10 be done 10 wait with rcsigna.
uon the turn OF events. The vitality OF our market
has been a matter OF surprise TO many VINO nave
predicted crash for twelve months past A
bountlul harvest OF sugar ana rising market
abroad for the next year. coupled with 0screet I'M
portations may avert the tnreated danger me
recent rains have compelled or the man taiions
TO remain idle the pasl SIX weeks consequently mt
little sugar Is coming forward. on sOnle mania.
lions the delay has been costly. one well abe 10
bear u, has suffered loss oI al least tao hundred
tons OF sugar.
The crops for the next year are looking finely and
unless some new calamity stalks forward oug prog
poets are good FOR large YIELD
The publicity given TO the abuses OF our laber sys-
tenn has been productive Of good. The fcar,n story
OF murder and rapine winch comes 60 ls from the
Plantations OF Peru has caused some OF our would.
De slave masters 10 ponder and reason from cause
10 effect, the result being leading article IN HE
planters organ advising more pIst and humane
policy towards laoorcis. Another cheering feature
Is the proposition that planters should act more 10
conceri ~ suggesting improvements ~ methods of
trash drying aud other needed REFORMS ID plantation
economy. Ilie last attempted concert OF action was
II mnzzling newspapers Hnlch had offered ADVICE
on the labor question. To DO onr planters on Kauai
and Hawaii JGsiice il is lar 10 ay ihlt they did not
join The conspiracy. The very doubufu honor OF
Initiating and partially Carving the raid on the
papers belongs 70 The planters Of Maui winch isaDd
has earned the reputation Of being the South Caro-
ina ~ TINS group
ua bHV gg1 M uU{a fly TNq