Year: 1871

Terrible Situation OF the Omcers and Grew of


the snginaw-shipwrecked on n Barren Is


land.


The possibility of the loss of the United
States steamer Saginaw, on the coral reefs of
the Pacific Ocean, the news of which event was
given 10 the public yesterday, was suggested
several days ago. While on her voyage from
Honolulu TO the Midway Islands, where she was
to have concluded certain preliminary surveys
of q Dewly-discovered harbor in the group she
went ashore on the French Frigate, or Pecan
Island, as it IL more recently called, lying in her
track. This dangerous island is situated in lati-
tude % deg 40 min. north, and longitude 81 deg.
west, in west-by-north half-north direction
from Honolulu, about 500 miles distant aud
about half way between the Sandwich and the
Midway alslands. Its summit is only twenty
feet above the level of the sea, and perfectly
bare No fresh water is to be found upon it,
and herein lies the danger to be apprehended to
the officers apd crew. small quantity of pro-
visions appears to have been got ashore from
the wreck through the fearful surf and breakers
during the sixteen days elapsing between the
going ashore and the breaking up of the Sagi-
nav. The unfortunate people of the ship were
at once placed upon quarter rations, and every
precaution taken to exc out the scanty stores
until relief should reach them. Naval officers
do not so much fear the loss of the castaways
by starvation as through thirst. The Saginaw,
as is customary in steamers, carried her fresh
water in wrought-ron tanks, not readily
moved or handled in small boats under
the circumstances surrounding the
snip, ana tDeTe are usually no barrels or casks
on such vessels in which any great quantity of
water may be stored to carry ashore. The sup
ply of water must then have been very scanty,
and unless, as is very improbable, fresh-water
springs or wells were discovered, or fall of rain
took place, the poor fellows must bave been put
oRa very short allowance of water-a deprivation
of the most painful and eXhaustng character.
Before the little schooner Kona Packet or the
feeble steamer Kilanea, despatched from Homo
lulu, could have reached the sufferers, they
would have been on short rations of food aud
water for more than sxty-five days, If they had
not entirely consumed their stock. The length
of time consumed by the captains gig in making
500 miles voyage protracted greatly beyond
the time that was reasonably expected in
consequence of head winds aud urfavorable
seas, added TO the growing exhaustion
and weakness of the gallant crew-must
have occasioned great disappointment to
the wrecked crew, who looked for certain relief,
and possibly served out supplies more literally
on that account Commander Sicard, who Is a
resident of Utica, in New York, is an officer of
great energy and resources, of undoubted pluck
and forethought, and under his charge it is not
doubted that everything has been done that
skill and wisdom could suggest to make the
situation of his ships company as comfortable
and safe as possible under the trying circum-
stances. He has been undoubtedly aided by a
gallant corps of officers, and obeyed by his men
as faithfully as if they were on the
deck of the Saginaw floating Sc
all hands will suffer terribly before rescued but
it is hoped that by judicious distribution OF
provisions and water the lives of all will be
saved until ample supplies and succor reach
them. The fact, however, cannot be disguised
that the satisfy of the poor shipwrecked men
depends greatly on the supply of fresh water,
which is undoubtedly very small. 1t may be
remarke6in this connection that, as the island
lies in the centre of the great Pacific whale
fishery ground, it is not impossible that some
whaling vessel cruising in the vicirity has dis
covered the shpwrecked party and extended
relief. But this chance is very small, and moi
to be depended upon. The relief probably mus
come from Honolulu.