Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1871

No. 245.

Mr. Peirce to Mr. Fish

No. 93.]

Legation of the United States of America, Honolulu, December 27, 1870. (Received January 18, 1871.)

Sir: The United States steamer Saginaw, Commander Sicard, was totally wrecked on Ocean Island, which lies about 1,200 miles northwest of this, on the 29th of October last. All hands were saved, (ninety-eight persons in all,) together with three months’ provisions at quarter rations. Water, seals, fish, birds, and turtle are found there. The party are sheltered by tents made of sails and spars saved from the wreck.

It is with much sorrow I have also to report the death by drowning of Lieutenant Talbot, executive officer of the Saginaw, and seamen John Andrews, of Boston; Peter Francis, native of Manila, and James Muir, of Glasgow, Scotland, who were upset by the surf from a boat sent from Ocean Island, November 18, to Honolulu for the purpose of obtaining means for the relief of the ninety-three persons then remaining on that island.

The boat, after being at sea thirty-one days, during which the persons on board suffered much from cold, wet, hunger, and some-sickness, but not for want of water, arrived off the coast of the Island of Kanai, one of this group, at a place called Kaliki-Kai during the night of December 19, and, while attempting to land, got into the breakers and upset, with the melancholy result mentioned. The sole survivor of the boat’s crew, William Halford, of New York, coxswain of the captain’s gig, succeeded in reaching the beach by drifting of the boat toward it, the action of the surf having in the meanwhile righted her.

By Coxswain Halford’s personal exertions there was saved from the boat a long tin case, containing dispatches and letters from Commander Sicard and others, also barometer, chronometer, and other articles. But Commander Sicard’s instructions to Lieutenant Talbot, with requisitions for supplies for their relief, were unfortunately lost in a tin case containing books, charts, &c. The want of those papers has obliged me to work somewhat in the dark while sending necessary rescue and relief to those at Ocean Island.

The natives were very kind to Halford, particularly one by the name Peter, who furnished him with food, clothing and horses to proceed to Hanalei, about five miles distance from Kaliki-Kai.

The humane services of Peter should be recognized by the United States Government.

Arriving at Hanalei, Halford called on the Hawaiian sheriff, Mr. Wilcox, and Mr. Bent, planter. All of them then went to Kaliki-Kai, where an inquest was held over the bodies of those saved, namely, Muir and Lieutenant Talbot. The latter had drifted ashore during Halford’s absence, and was tenderly cared for by the natives there. There were bruises on the forehead of Lieutenant Talbot, received, as Halford thinks, from a blow of the boat, and which caused him to let go his hold of the same after being upset by the heavy breakers. The bodies were put into good pine coffins and transported to Hanalei, where the Episcopal burial service was read by Mr. Kenney, an appropriate hymn sung by two daughters of late Mr. Johnson, American missionary, and were then interred, with tears and heartfelt sympathy of the spectators, side by side, in one grave, near where a seaman was buried in 1867, belonging to the United States ship Lackawanna, Captain Reynolds.

Coxswain Halford sailed from Hanalei in the schooner Waiola, Captain Dudoit, on the evening of 20th of December, and arrived at the United States consulate, Honolulu, at 11 a. m., December 24, where I happened then to be conversing with the acting consul, Mr. Perkins.

After hearing Halford’s story, we deemed it highly important to act in concert with promptness and energy, and do what the situation seemed to demand for the succor and rescue of the unfortunates remaining on Ocean Island. Our first promptings were to obtain a steam-vessel, but there was but one in port, the Kilauea of 450 tons, double-decks, belonging to Hawaiian government, engaged in the service between the islands of the group. No application was made for her on learning that her fuel capacity was insufficient for the voyage desired. This statement proved to be false in fact, as the sequel proved.

The schooner Nona Packet, of 85 tons, fast sailer, was instantly chartered of her owners, Messrs. C. A. Williams & Co., at $850 per month, victualed and manned at their expense, for an unlimited time.

At 6 p. m., December 24—only seven hours after hearing Halford’s story—the Nona Packet sailed direct for Ocean Islands, having on board thirty days’ full rations of provisions for one hundred men, a good present supply of clothing, blankets, medicines, vegetables, water, and other stores. She will probably reach the sufferers in about eight days, as the winds are generally fair. I wrote by her to Commander Sicard, informing him that we had also chartered for his relief the fastsailing bark Comet of 450 tons, and that she would sail on the 26th or 27th of December with duplicate supplies, so as to provide against all contingencies of loss of either vessel named, or detention by calms, head winds, currents, &c. The charter of the Comet was, however, subsequently canceled, for reasons hereinafter made apparent.

Receiving an intimation, late on Christmas night, that His Hawaiian Majesty had expressed consent for the Kilauea steamer to go to Ocean Island, provided I made application for the vessel; and being credibly informed that her fuel or coal capacity was sufficient for twenty-five to thirty days’ steaming, I immediately addressed a letter to the minister of the interior, asking for the use of that vessel. That noble gentleman (Mr. Hutchison) gave immediate affirmative reply, to the effect that preparations for the voyage should commence on the steamer at daylight next morning; that she should be victualed, manned, and supplied with 250 tons coal, (burning but 7 or 8 tons each twenty-four hours,) and dispatched with such supplies for the shipwrecked men as I thought best to send in her, and be ready on or about 5 o’clock p. m., December 26. All was completed as above promised. The steamer left at 6 p. m., under command of the celebrated Captain Long, formerly commanding American whale-ships.

The Kilauea is well provided with extra whale-boats, and carries duplicate supplies of provisions, clothing, &c., and of those put on board the schooner, also some other articles, such as, on reflection, was thought would be needed. Efforts were made to procure and send a surgeon, to assist Mr. Frank, but did not succeed for want of time.

Previous to procuring the Kilauea, I held consultation with Captain Floyd, of the mail steamer Moses Taylor, which vessel arrived on 25th instant, from San Francisco, as to her being sent to the relief of the persons on Ocean Island. The measure was found to be impracticable, for many cogent reasons, not necessary now to be stated. Captain Floyd was ready and desirous to be of service in the matter.

Coxswain Halford is a tall, athletic man, of great endurance, and intelligent. He is staying at my house, but will take passage on to-morrow’s steamer for San Francisco. He deserves well of his country, and, no doubt, promotion and reward will be given him. He is well in health, but is afflicted with salt-water sores on his body. He reports all his boat companions as having suffered likewise.

When the boat was off Kaliki-Kai, there was no food on board except four spoonfuls of desiccated potatoes; the original stock of that article, he says, saved them from starvation. I have taken his deposition or statement in writing, and herewith inclose the same; the main facts therein stated I have embodied in this dispatch.

I feel much indebted for aid and assistance received from Judge A. S. Hartwell, of Hawaiian supreme court. He is from Massachusetts, and commanded a brigade of troops, from that State, in South Carolina during the civil war.

I am so wearied by the labor and excitement of the three days past that I may be excused if I have omitted any item of importance in this dispatch.

In a private letter to me from Commander Sicard, dated Ocean Island, November, 1870, (no day named,) he says:

No doubt your surprise will be extreme to hear of our sad ending here, after having finished up all our Midway Island work, and got off, as I supposed, for San Francisco; but we cannot tell what a day may bring forth. My errand to this island was purely one of humanity, I not feeling willing to leave these parts without seeing if there might be some shipwrecked persons on the island, whom I might be able to relieve. Mr. Talbot will give you all the particulars. I wish particularly to recommend him to your kind offices. He is a brave, zealous, gentlemanly young man, and you will like him, I am sure. He volunteered at once to go to Honolulu in the boat, and throughout this affair he has been of the very greatest assistance to me. Will you please give him the benefit of your advice and assistance in the matter of chartering a vessel to come to our relief, (in case the Jamestown or some other man-of-war is not in port.) It is very important the arrangements made should be as economical to the Government as possible. I must close now, as I have a great deal of writing to do.

Believe me, most truly, yours,

MONTGOMERY SICARD.

I have promised in behalf of the United States Government that all expenditures on the Kilauea consequent upon her voyage to Ocean Island shall be reimbursed to the minister of the interior on her return.

Inclosed herewith is copy of my note to the latter, before alluded to, marked No. 2.

Telegraph dispatch to you from this legation is transmitted to the office at San Francisco by kind hands of Captain R. S. Floyd. I thought it very important a correct version of the whole sad affair mentioned herein should go forth at once to the country, and the best and the worst of the facts received correctly by the friends at home.

I am, &c.,

HENRY A. PEIRCE.

Extract from Morrell’s voyage.

Ocean or Byers’s Island, July 12.

We crossed the meridian of 180°, the ne plus ultra of longitude, in latitude 28° 32?, and on the 13th we landed on Byers’s Island, situated in latitude 28° 32? north, longitude 177° 4? east. This island is moderately elevated, and has some bushes and spots of vegetation. It is about four miles in circumference, and has good anchorage on the west-southwest side, with fifteen fathoms of water, sand and coral bottom. There are no dangers around this island, excepting on the southeast side, where there is a coral reef running to the southward about two miles. Sea-birds, green turtles, and sea-elephants resort to live about its shores. Fresh water may be had here from the south-southwest side of the island, which is of volcanic origin.

No. 1.—Statement of William Halford concerning the loss of the United States steamer Saginaw, &c.

We sailed from Midway Island at 5 o’clock p. m., October 28. The vessel struck between 3 and 4 a. m., October 29. It was good weather, but cloudy and dark; speed two and a half to three knots; fires banked; top-sails and jib set; running with fair wind.

Captain Sicard came on deck at 2 a. m., and was sitting aft when the vessel struck. The officer of the deck, Mr. Gast, (who relieved Mr. Coles at Honolulu,) had just informed the captain of “breakers ahead.” The captain ordered top-sails to be lowered; just at that moment the vessel struck. Top-sails were ordered to be furled. The crew were paralyzed with fear, and the orders were not obeyed. All hands were put to work to get out boats and save provisions and other things. At break of day saw a sand island about one and a half to two miles off. Worked all day carrying things to the shore. Removed two very sick men ashore and four or five others slightly ill. For nearly three weeks from the time of the wreck, all hands were employed getting up tents, saving provisions and rigging, making fresh water with the apparatus, and decking over and preparing the captain’s gig to go to Honolulu. The launch was lost when the vessel struck. The first and second, cutters, the second badly damaged, the dingey, and an old metallic boat of the contractors were left at Ocean Island.

The Saginaw began at once to break up. The gig was raised about 10 inches, midships tapering fore and aft, and a wooden deck was placed over all, with places for men to row, and with movable hatches. Volunteers were called to go in the gig to Honolulu. Lieutenant Talbot; Peter Francis, quartermaster belonging to Manila; John Andrews, seaman, of Boston; James Muir, seaman, of Glasgow, Scotland, and William Halford, (myself,) coxswain of the captain’s gig, volunteered to go in the boat to Honolulu. There were put into the boat ten breakers of water, five days’ rations of bread in a tin case, sealed; ten days’ rations of bread, in a black canvas bag, which was mostly spoiled on the passage; about two dozen small tins of preserved meats; five tins, five pounds each, desiccated potatoes, to which we attribute being saved from starvation; two tins cooked beans—could not be used, causing dysentery; three tins boiled wheat, the same; one ham, eight or ten pounds; six tins preserved oysters; two five-pound pieces dried beef; one dozen tins Lima beans and peas; four or five pounds of butter; one gallon of molasses in keg, leaked out; twelve pounds of white sugar, also lost by wet; four pounds tea; four or five pounds coffee, both spoiled. The boat was furnished with a small tin cooking-apparatus for boiling, with oil and wick. Five days out we lost all light and fire, and no means of making either; no dry tinder or wood, but had flint and steel. About five or six days before making Kawai, we succeeded in getting a light with glasses taken from the opera-glass. Suffered much from wet, cold, and want of food. When we left Ocean Island, November 18, at noon, we ran to the north to latitude 32°, then took the westerly winds and ran east to the longitude of Kawai, as Mr. Talbot supposed, but it proved ultimately that we were not near that longitude by over a degree. We then stood south. Had heavy weather while running eastward; hove to, with sea-anchor, twice; last time lost it; made another drag with three oars, which was also lost; then made another drag with two oars, with square-sail, by crossing them; that lasted for three turns of bad weather; the last time it broke adrift, and all was lost of it. Mr. Talbot was ill seven or eight days with diarrhea; got better, but still suffered from fatigue and hardship. He was somewhat cheerful the whole passage. Muir and Andrews were sick two or three weeks. Francis was always well. The deck was leaky. The boat was furnished with chronometer, compasses, sextant, opera-glass, charts, Bowditch’s Navigator, almanac, barometer. Did not make land so soon by a week as we expected, the first land we saw was Kankulana Rock, near Nihau Island, on Friday a. m.; December 16. We stood to north by east, Nihau Island in sight, but to windward, all day Friday. During that night and Saturday we stood northeast by north; on Saturday night headed east, wind south-southeast. Sunday morning wind allowed us to head southeast. Saw Kawai a great distance off on Saturday night. Sunday night we were off Hanalei Bay; there have to, head to northwestward, wind having hauled that night to the westward. We lay to thereuntil 11 p. m. My watch on deck. Called Mr. Talbot; told him the night was clear—I could see the entrance to Hanalei Harbor. He ordered the boat to be kept away, and steered for the entrance; got near it, when it clouded up and became dark. Hove to again to the northwestward. At 1 a. m. (night) called my relief. Andrews and Francis came on deck; also Mr. Talbot. After I went below the boat was again kept away for a short time, when she was again hove to, it being dark. At a little past 2 a. m. on Monday, December 19, she was kept away for the third time. I remained below until I felt the boat getting into shoal water. I awoke Muir, and told him it was time we went on deck. He did not go, but I did. Just as I got in the cockpit a sea broke aboard abaft. Mr. Talbot ordered to bring the boat by the wind. I hauled aft the main sheet. Francis was at the helm, and brought the vessel up to the wind. Just then another breaker broke on board and capsized the boat. Andrews and Francis were washed away, and never seen afterward. Muir was still below, and did not get out or clear until the boat was righted, when he gave symptoms of insanity. Before the boat was righted by the sea, Mr. Talbot was clinging to the bilge of the boat. I called to him to go to the stern of the boat and there get up on the bottom. While attempting to do so he was washed off. When he sank he was heavily clothed and much exhausted. He made no cry. I succeeded in getting on to the bottom, when I stripped myself of clothing. Then a sea came and righted the boat. It was then that Muir put his head up the cock-pit, when I assisted him in getting on deck. Soon after another breaker came and upset her again, she going over twice. The last time she came upright and head on to the breakers. We then drifted toward the shore at a place called Kaliki Kai, about five miles from Hanalei. I landed, with the water breast high, and took with me a tin case of dispatches and letters. There was a tin box on board, with its cover broken, containing navigation books, charts, &c.; also, Captain Sicard’s instructions to Lieutenant Talbot, and other papers, among which were Muir’s and Andrews’s discharge papers, they having shipped November 15 for one month. They belonged to the contractors, as their employés, previous to that time. Also, mine and Francis’s transfer papers and accounts, destined for Mare Island navy-yard. The above-named box, with everything not lashed, fell into the water when we were first upset. I landed about three a. m. Saw no one until daybreak, when, seeing some huts, I went to them and got assistance to get the boat on to the beach. I had previously, by making five trips to the boat, succeeded in bringing ashore the long tin case aforementioned, chronometer, opera-glass, barometer, one ship’s compass, boat’s binnacle and compass, and also assisted Muir to the shore. He was still insane; said but little, incoherently; he groaned a good deal. I was much exhausted and laid myself down to rest until sunrise, when I looked for Muir and found him gone from the place I had left him in. Soon after I found him, surrounded by several natives, but he was dead, and very black in the face. During the day I got some food and clothing from the natives, one called Peter, and after resting myself, Peter and I went on horseback over to Hanalei to Sheriff Wilcox and Mr. Bent. We returned with the sheriff and coroner to Kaliki Kai, where an inquest was held on the bodies of Lieutenant Talbot and Mr. Muir, the former having drifted ashore just before I left Kaliki Kai for Hanalei. Mr. Talbot’s forehead was bruised and quite black, apparently from having struck the boat or wrecked stuff. After the inquest the two bodies were taken to Hanalei, put into coffins, and buried the following day in one grave, at a place where a seaman belonging to the United States steamer Lackawanna was buried in 1867. Funeral services were performed by Mr. Kenney, by reading the Episcopal burial service, and two Miss Johnsons, daughters of an American missionary, singing hymns.

Before I left Kawai for Honolulu it was reported by a half-white, who had been left to watch the shore at Kaliki Kai, that Andrews’s body had also come ashore and was taken care of. Captain Dudoit, Of the schooner Waiola, offered to bring me direct to Honolulu, leaving his return freight at Waimea for another trip. I accepted, through Mr. Bent, and we sailed for Honolulu the evening of Tuesday, December 20, and arrived at Honolulu at 11 a. m. December 24, bringing with me the effects saved as before mentioned. I went, on landing, immediately to the United States consul’s office, where I saw him and the minister resident and told them my story.

I add to the foregoing that when we sighted land, and talked of being safe, Lieutenant Talbot said he was fully prepared for death, and felt sure that God would take him to Himself if we had not got through, and the like of that.

WILLIAM HALFORD.

William Halford, subscriber of the foregoing statement, deposes and says that the same was by him made to Henry A. Peirce, esq., United States minister resident; that the same was read over to him, and that the contents thereof are true of his own knowledge.

Sworn and subscribed to before me at Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, this 27th day of December, A. D. 1870.

HENRY A. PEIRCE, Minister Resident of the United States of America.

[Untitled]

Legation of the United States, Honolulu, December 25, 1870.

Sir: In consequence of the wreck of the United States steamer Saginaw, reported to me last Saturday, I immediately chartered a small schooner to go with supplies for the relief and rescue of ninety-three persons belonging to her at Ocean Island.

In view of the importance of their immediate relief, and as a precaution against her non-arrival, from wreck, calms, and head-winds, I have the honor to request the assistance of His Hawaiian Majesty’s government steamer Kilauea to proceed immediately to that island for same purpose. All necessary expenses incurred therefor will be reimbursed by the United States Government. I address this to you to save time, which is so important, and for the reason the vessel named is in charge of your department.

I am, &c.,

HENRY A. PEIRCE.

His Excellency F. W. Hutchison, His Hawaiian Majesty’s Minister of the Interior.