The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-31
SICARD IN A SHPIWRECK.
AN INCIDENT IN THE EARLY LIFE
OF THE ADMIRAL.

Tragedy of the Saginaw-HerOic At
tempt of Lieut.. Talbot and a Vol
unteer Crew of Five to Reach
SuccOr Mt Hawaii, 1900 Miles
Away, in which All Hut One Died.
From the New York Times.
Admiral Sicards prominence just at pres
ent as commandant of the splendid fleet of
the North Atlantic squadron now near Gu
ban waters, recalls an incident in his early
career, which has probably passed from
the minds of even those most familiar with
recent naval history. and which is probably
entirely unknown to most of the present
generation. 1t is a bit of tragic yet roman
tic history.
In the year 1869 the Congress of these
United States determined to establish a
coaling station on Midway Island, situated
as its name would Indicate. equi-distant
from San Francisco and Yokohama Fifty
thousand dollars was appropriated to COW
er the expense of necessary surveys and
tentative work. The contract for the latter
was awarded to a Boston firm with the
understanding that naval vessel should
convey the workmen TO and from the is
land, while her commanding officer would
supervise the surveys.
The United States ship Saginaw. Ga side
wheeler,) with Commander now AdmiraD
Montgomery Sicard in command. was as
signed to the duty, and the expedition
started in the early Spring of the following
year.
After six months had been expended in
arduous labor and careful surveys, the re-
suit being deepening of the channel to Is
feet and the exhaustion of the appropria-
ton. Commander Sicard, judging the
scheme in every way impracueable, start
ed, in pursuance of discretionary powers
| assigned him, to return to San Francisco,
on Friday, Oct. rs.
A stop was TO be made at Ocean Island
lying fortyeight miles to the westward
in search of reported wreck and posi-
bic castaways. On clear night and under
reduced speed, with vigilant watch and
captain even then noted for his cour-
age, sagacity and professional ability, with
almost no warning and absolutely no
chance of escape, the Saginaw grounded
upon the coral reef surrounding Ocean Is
land, while her stern was lifted high and
dry above the beating surf. OF the nine
ty-three souls on board none were lost
though some escaped as by a miracle
while sailors and workmen alike struggled
manfully to save the boats, provisions and
clothing. The sland-a low, sandy desert
lay a mile inside the surf and the boats
We're rowed or dragged ashore laden first
with the sick and then with a motley ar
ray of rescued property. All day the Of
1icers and men labored so that by night
temporary shelters had been improvised
from sails and boxes, clothing and provis'
ions spread out to dry, and the lonefy
beach turned into noisy camp. OF the
food saved, a large proportion was in
| jured partially or irretrievably by salt
: water, but starvation was not among the
dangers confronting the castaways, since
turtle, seal. fish and a species of albatross
called goney were to be obtained on or
| near the island.
Wells were dug in the attempt to obtain
| a supply of fresh water, but unavailing
ly, as that which was secured proved too
| brackish for use. lin
In this emergency a small boiler belong
ing to the contractor was brought from
| the wreck, and as henceforth the existence
of the entire party depended upon the dis.
| titled water so obtained, details of engi-
| neers and firemen watched il constantly,
| to guard against accident or carelessness.
The day following the disaster Lieut..
| John G.. Talbot, executive officer of tho
Saginaw, volunteered to undertake the
| voyage to Honolulu, distant some 1850
| launch had persisted in the wreck.
Three weeks elapsed before the boat
| could be put in a suitable condition to un-
dertake the perilious voyage. Then, par
TALLY decked over and provisioned for thlr-
| ty-five days, with crew of five men, in
| Guiding Lieut.. Talbot, the start was made.
favoring winds and currents. backed UP
| by pluck and endurance, being their sole
! dependence.
The commanding officer of this forlorn
! hope was a man of delicate physique, but
| indomitable perseverance. He had Joined
| the ship but a short time before her I'M
| lucky voyage, but had won the respecs,
confidence, and affection of his associates
| and subordinates. OF those who accom-
| panied him, all were volunteers, two being
! seamen, Peter Francis and John Andrews;
| one a contractors man. James Muir, and
| the fourth coxswain William Halford.
| Fully realizing that the voyage must in
volve prolonged exposure and exhausting
| labor, it was still undertaken cheerfully
in the discharge of duty and for the cause
| of humanity.
The provisions, many of them already
|