l
island lying about one hundred miles to the westward of Midway,
to rescue any sailors who might have been wrecked there and who,
being out of the ordinary track of vessels in that part of the
Pacific Ocean, would have little chance of relief from any other
source. This expedition, though in the direct line of his duty
as the commander of a naval vessel, was fraught with the usual
perils of navigation in unknown and dangerous waters, and about
three o'clock on the morning of the 29th of October, the
Saginaw, running slowly in the darkness, was wrecked on a reef
outlying the island for which she was bound. With much exertion
and the exercise of much energy and skill, all on board,
including the officers and men of the ship and the working
party from Midway Islands, were safely landed, with a small
allowance of provisions and materials rescued from the wreck.
Cast upon the shores of an uninhabited island with scanty means
of subsistence, out of the line of travel, and more than one
thousand miles from the nearest port of refuge or relief, then
it was that the commanding officer of the Saginaw illustrated
the benefits of the comprehensive education and strict training
which he had received at the hands of the Government and
exhibited the high personal qualities which characterize him as
an officer. Ably seconded by his subordinate officers of every
grade, Commander Sicard took immediately every possible means
for the health, safety, and final relief of those who were
committed to his command. Whatever could be saved from the wreck
was at once secured; measures were immediately taken to keep up
the health, spirits, and discipline of the men: fresh water was
distilled by means of an old boiler, and everything was
organized so that there was no waste of either provisions,
material, or labor.

The boat fittest for the service was promptly repaired,
provisioned, and equipped, as far as might be, for the perilous
voyage. Manned by one officer and four men, all of whom
volunteered for the service, it was dispatched to Honolulu, the
nearest port from which relief could be expected. After her
departure work was vigorously pushed on the island; and when
finally rescued, the shipwrecked marines with well-directed
labor had almost completed, from the material of their old ship,