USS Saginaw (1859)

The USS Saginaw was a Saginaw-class wooden-hulled sidewheel steamer gunboat built for the United States Navy during the American Civil War. She was named after the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay in Michigan.

Launched in 1859 and commissioned in 1860, the Saginaw was actively involved in the Pacific Squadron, primarily tasked with protecting American interests and suppressing the slave trade. During the Civil War, she patrolled the Pacific coast, preventing Confederate privateers from operating in the region.

After the war, the Saginaw continued her service in the Pacific, primarily in support of survey expeditions. She played a crucial role in the survey of Midway Atoll in 1867, formally claiming the island for the United States.

In 1870, while on a mission to transport supplies to Midway, the Saginaw ran aground on a reef near Kure Atoll, a remote and uninhabited island chain northwest of Midway. The crew managed to salvage supplies and equipment from the wreck. Recognizing the remoteness of their location and the unlikelihood of rescue, a small volunteer crew led by Lieutenant John G. Talbot set out in a small boat to reach Honolulu, Hawaii, a distance of over 1,500 miles, to seek help.

After a harrowing 31-day journey, the boat reached Kauai, but capsized in the surf. Talbot and four others survived, but four perished. Word was sent to Honolulu, and the USS St. Mary's was dispatched to rescue the remaining crew on Kure Atoll.

The wreck of the USS Saginaw is a significant historical site and a reminder of the dangers faced by sailors in the 19th century. Her story is notable for the extraordinary bravery and determination of her crew.