The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-12-10

| A tragic incident which occurred on
| the island of Kauai, in December, 1870,
when the bodies of Lieut.. John talbot,
| II. s. N, and boat 8 crew were wash
ed ashore is recalled by the publlca-
ton of the story in the current num-
Der of the Navy League Journal. Hon.
". o. 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. S 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 E. W. Very, Cate U. S. NJ a
relative of Admiral Very, U. S. n.
The entire article is devoted to a de-
seription 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 a large scaled
map of the Northern Pacific Ocean be
examined there will be found stretch
ing off from the Sandwich Islands to
the northwestward a 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-
cur they are great dangers to uaviga-
ton SO that their exact location IS a
matter of prime Importance. This par
ticular 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
a relocation and complete examination |
of the waters, about the western end |
of the group the Saginaw, small side !
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 we'll 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 evil |
IDENTIFY something had to be 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
look to attempt the trip taking four
men with him in one of the boats fitted
Up as well as could possibly be done
lnder the circumstances. We read now
and then of transatlantic trips and
even around the world ones made safe
y in an open boat so that the venture
nay not strike the landsman as being
Extra hazardous, but circumstances
alter cases. The original Quitting of
he boat could only be of the crudest
IN account of the lack of proper tools
ind material. No help from passing
Tessels could be counted on at all for
t was certain that none would be seen.
The entire region of the route was
Iway from the trade winds, and only
aims interrupted with heavy squalls
ould be expected. In other words the
all power was at minimum and the
nan power feeble and bound to weaken.
n those days canned provisions had .
lot appeared, and the salt beef and
ork doubled the thirst that must be
leld down by water served out by
he gill. Withal there was a tropical
I'm to contend with all through the
Teary days. All this must not only
e faced but faced with cheerfulness
o stand off the wear and tear that
night end in madness
The outfit of the boat was completed
nd she started from Ocean Island on
November Is. manned by Lieut. John
abbot, Coxswain William Halford,
,uartermaster Peter Francis and Sea-
hen John Andrews and John Muir.
'hirty-one days afterward the natives
t Kauai found their bodies washed
p on the beach. all dead except Hal
ord, who was resuscitated Attached Il
u