The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1906-12-11

when the bodies of Lieut.. John Talbot
U. >. NJ, and a boat 8 crew were wash.
ed ashore is recalled by the publica.
ton of the story in the current mum.
Der of the Navy League Journal. Hon.
W. .. Smith, Senator elect from Oahu,
who was Sheriff of the Island of Kauai
| AT the time, had much to do with the
forwarding of the bodies to Honolulu.
a. ). Wilcox was then Deputy Sheriff
and he personally looked after the ship
ment of the remains as well as the
wrecked boat The bodies now rest
in Nuuanu Cemetery.
The item concerning Lieut.. Talbot
comprises a portion of an article writ
ten by f. ". Very, Qate U. S. NJ a
relative of Admiral Very, U. S. n.
The entire article is devoted to de
scription of the marble tablets in the
| Chapel at the Naval Academy record
ing the deeds of heroic Kentuckians.
talbot was one of these young Ken
tuckians. The article reads:
JOHN TALBOT.
Wrecked on the island of Kauai,
December Is, 1870 If large scaled
map of the Northern Pacific Ocean be
examined there will be found stretch
ing off from the Sandwich Islands to
the northwestward string of small
dots for distance of some 1900 miles
toward Japan, These represent the
odd coral formations found only in the
Pacific and known as atolls. They are
barely awash and quite uninhabit-
able as vegetation has not commenced
and they have no fresh water to main
tain life. Wherever these patches oc-
eur they are great dangers to naviga-
ton so that their exact location is
matter of prime Importance. This par
ticdlar string does not lie directly on
any of the sailing routes, and even
whaling vessels always kept well away
from their vicinity. With view to
relocation and complete examination
of the waters about the western end
of the group the Saginaw, a small side
wheel gunboat, was sent out in the
autumn of 1870. She found one pin
nacle just off Ocean Island before day
light on the morning of October Doth,
going on top of it in the heavy sea
and pounding to pieces in a few hours.
By quick and well-directed work all
hands were saved and most of the pro.
visions, boats, canvas, and stores were
safely landed on Ocean Island. A
boiler was retrieved fortunately SO that
fresh water could be distilled but evf.
IDENTIFY something had to he done at
once with a view to rescue before the
provisions should give out and the only
prospect of rescue was to reach the
Sandwich Islands 1900 miles away and
send help back. John Talbot under
took to attempt the trip taking four
men with him in one of the boats fitted
up as well as could possibly be done
under the circumstances. We read now
and then of transatlantic trips and
even around the world ones made safe
may not strike the landsman as being
extra hazardous, but CIRCUMSTANCES
alter cases. The original Quitting of
the boat, could only be of the crudest
on account of the lack of proper tools
and material. No help from passing
vessels could be counted on Mt all for
1t was certain that none would be seen.
The entire region of the route was
away from the trade winds, and only
Gains interrupted with heavy squalls !
could be expected. In other words the
sail power was at minimum and the !
man power feeble and bound to weaken. !
In those days canned provisions had I
hoL dpBtaltu, anu Tue SAT- bttl anu
pork doubled the thirst that must be
held down by water served out by
the gill. WithaI there was tropical
sun to contend with all through the
weary days. All this must not only
be faced but faced with cheerfulness ,
to stand off the wear and tear that !
might end in madness.
The outfit of the boat was completed |
November Is, manned by Lieut. John
Talbot, CoXswain William Halford,
Quartermaster Peter Francis and Sea-
men John Andrews and John Muir.
Thirty-one days afterward the natives
at Kauai found their bodies washed
up on the beach, all dead except Hal
ford, who was resuscitated. Attached
% the body of each was a sealed can
a despatch TO whoever it
night concern describing the plight of
he crew of the Saginaw, and even
before Halford could be so far restored
rs to give an ineligible account of
he adventure, natives were speeding
way 10 carry word to Honolulu, where
| rescue steamer was at once sent out
mo brought back the castaways safe.
There are but a few details of Hal
ords narrative that need record here,
II the dreary monotony of heat and
hirst and gradual weakening of
hysical powers, two duties devolved
II Talbot before all that demanded the
onstant maintenance of a clear brain.
IN him devolved the navigation to
ave every mile of the direct route to
he nearest habitable land, and on him
expended the careful measurement of
bod and water that should keep life
urning until help had been reached.
.alford testifies to the unwayering
heerfulness of his disposition made
Ioquent by singing to the men hour
fter hour when even breath seemed
'ant. Even at that one poor fellow
ent crazy and required constant
atchlng from the rest. A day or two
efore they came ashore they We're In
gale and while using their oars as
sea anchor, they lost them. Very
'obably on this account, added to
eir feebleness. although they made
eir landfall all right, they could not
indie the boat coming through the
lrf She was upset and the lives
ere lost by drowning and confusion
st at the moment that success was
Thirty-one days in an open
'at on TIE trackless Pacific. Talbot