the cruise of the Saginaw is officially closed. The
officers have taken up quarters on shore, and the crew temporarily
transferred to the U.S. Steamer Saranac for discharge or detail as
their period of enlistment may require. The gig came with us and will
be temporarily stored until it is decided as to her future. We have
started a subscription for a suitable memorial to the gig's heroes,
and the other ships of the squadron have generously offered their
help. The most approved plan seems to be a marble tablet on the walls
of the chapel at the Naval Academy, and the captain has made a sketch
of one as it would appear there.

(_Note. November 1, 1871._ The tablet as designed has been completed
and delivered at the Naval Academy. The following picture shows its
appropriate character, and I deem it a fitting conclusion to my story.
The gig is also to go to the Naval Academy to be deposited in the
Museum.)

[Illustration: THE TABLET
Now on the walls of the chapel at the United States Naval
Academy]

THE END

APPENDIX

I

I have been asked several times how it came about that our good ship
could have met her sad fate when so recently out of port, her officers
knowing the existence of the dangers so near. I have confined my
narrative to personal experiences and to incidents of the life under
the conditions surrounding us. However, as such questions may arise in
the mind of some readers and in order to enlighten them, I set down
below some copies of the results from official investigations by those
higher in authority.

First: There is the report of the Court of Inquiry held upon our
arrival in San Francisco, which reads thus:--

The Court is of the opinion that the wrecking of the Saginaw was
caused by a current, as the evidence shows care in running the
vessel at a safe rate of speed and the log-line was found to be
correct two days before and had been used only ten hours at sea
afterward, and that Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Sicard used
due vigilance and care in the navigation of his vessel, and
after striking upon the reef that he exercised sound judgment
and exhibited great skill and prudence.

This was followed later by the Secretary of the Navy's annual report
to the President, from which the following is an extract:--

Leaving Midway Islands on the 28th of October, Commander Sicard,
of the Saginaw, determined to run to Ocean Island, a smal