Last Cruise of USS Saginaw

On December 19, 1870 a small boat arrived off the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Caught in the breakers, the vessel capsized, and its crew of five men were thrown into the ocean. Three drowned, one died of his injuries, and just one man, described as a starved, emaciated skeleton, crippled by a splinter in his leg, was found alive by an island local. That man, Coxswain William Halford, USN, told an incredible story of survival, and of an urgent mission.
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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Script by THG
#history #thehistoryguy #maritime

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

In response to many comments, and with respect, if you listen carefully, I said 1862.

[@williamromine5715]

Unfortunately, my old ears(I'm 80), and the transcript heard 1962. Just goes to show a person can't always rely upon their hearing(especially if they are somewhat deaf, like me,) nor upon fancy electronic devices. As always, a great video about man's struggle against whatever nature puts in his way to complete his duty to others. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

[@Sajuuk]

What a sick twisted cruel universe we live in that it should deprive those who have suffered so long to reach safe shores of their lives on the very shores they sought so valiantly to reach...

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

@@williamromine5715 it is a fair point- “an 1862” sounds very like “a 1962.” But, obviously, a man who died in 1870 didn’t go to Annapolis in 1960.

[@williamromine5715]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel However, if he did, it would "Be History That Deserves To Be Remembered".

[@scorpion19142001]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel I loved that statement. That was "So, so funny. Maybe, it would be nice if made some blooper, thru your long lustrous career in making history.

[@RetiredSailor60]

Thanks for your service Shipmates. Your courage and loyalty will never be forgotten. From a retired OS1 USN.

[@navret1707]

Fair winds and following seas, OS1 Sanders.

[@RetiredSailor60]

@@navret1707 You as well Shipmate

[@barfeedbob]

I appreciate how THG always pays tribute to those who lost their lives during the tales of lost history. This respectful appreciation of the lost proves your true devotion to the history of humankind. Thank you for your efforts to keep history alive.

[@simongleaden2864]

01:32 I love how the History Guy manages to mention pirates in so many of his videos, because "all the best stories involve pirates".

[@kevintemple245]

The ingenuity and courage of the entire crew of the Saginaw is to be commended. A fine example of the American spirit.

[@brettd3206]

Halford being called back into service 15 years later, at 77 yo, is one of the greatest signs of respect. Impressive exemplary fortitude!!!

[@DawnOldham]

Yes! And, I did the math and it sounds as if he died while serving his country, one year later.

[@bold810]

God, I know!! Judas Priest sucked without him.

[@bold810]

@@DawnOldham But!! I did the meth also and MY numbers prove..bhey man can I bum a lighter?

[@paulsmodels]

Why hasn't there been a movie made of this tale? Thanks history guy for a wonderful episode.

[@Ramser03]

Judging by the photograph, it could Star Christian Bale as William Halford. I think that would make a fantastic movie!

[@anonymousm9113]

Had to do it: "I was born in Saginaw, Michigan I grew up in a house on Saginaw bay My dad was a poor hard working Saginaw fisherman Too many times, he came home with too little pay" Thanks for the regular videos, I enjoy the heck out of them and learn a few (many) things I didn't know.

[@Sparty-pi3jq]

It's a real shame, what has happened to the city of Saginaw. I would have loved to see Flint, Saginaw, Detroit and Benton Harbor, when all the factories were still open and people had the ability to support themselves and their families and had the ability to live fruitful lives.

[@thetrumpnewsnetwork7503]

inconceivable!

[@anonymousm9113]

@@Sparty-pi3jq I've never been up that way, but I can only imagine what a lot of cities looked like in their prime.

[@jb-vb8un]

brings back the SIMON & GARFUNKEL song, LOOK FOR AMERICA < > " it took me four days to hitchhike from SAGINAW .... "

[@Easy-Eight]

@@anonymousm9113 Saginaw in it's prime was from approximately 1875 to 1965. Even as terrible as the 1929 to 1939 era of the Great Depression (the start of WWII ended Saginaw's depression almost overnight) there would be nothing like the long agony of the restructuring of the Automobile industry to rampant crime. Saginaw is now a shell, a ghost. I drive through it occasionally. It looks like a city that has been the victim of war. There are beautiful old houses that housed the lumber barons of the 1880s. They are now crack or meth houses. The industry is gone. The beautiful old Catholic and Lutheran churches from over 100 years past are abandoned, rotting, and vandalized.

[@nickw7619]

What an incredible story. I can't imagine the atmosphere on the atoll when they saw the ship approaching for their rescue

[@thecactusman17]

I went to high school in Vallejo, CA where Mare Island is slowly being reconstituted as a public place right across the river from the California Maritime Academy. I had no idea that the shipyard had such a long history prior to the establishment of the US Navy submarine base there. Thank you for this recognition and remembrance.

[@silent1967]

Thank You, History Guy. So much of this great nation seems to be withering away. Thanks for reminding me of the courage of the past.

[@bradmartin9675]

One of the small boats from the USS Saginaw was for many years at the the Castle Museum in Saginaw Michigan with the tale of what happened. God Bless them all

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

That was the gig that made the trip to Hawaii. Now in the collection of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

[@xtreker15]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel I saw it as a small boy and could not believe the 20 foot craft made a 1500 mile journey without sinking.

[@jb-vb8un]

.... and crown Thy good with brotherhood, from SEA TO SHINING SEA

[@Ornelas11B]

Saginaw’s the hood. Sag Vegas, gamble with your life.

[@l1nepack]

Thanks for yet another excellent recounting of a story I had not heard (I’m Australian). The US Navy has every reason to be proud of such brave and resourceful men.

[@thomasoldenburg2085]

Amazing story! They’re many people that we’re lost at sea, performing brave acts. This story is a tribute to them all. Well done!

[@guyh.4553]

That was a great one! It's that time when the US was an arising star in the world yet still very much neophytes to it as well. Live the story HG!

[@uniquely.mediocre1865]

One ship story that always gets me is the story of the Brother Jonathan that sank just off the coast of Crescent City California in 1865. 11 crew survived with only 8 passengers also surviving, 5 women and 3 children.

[@blankblank4642]

Many years ago I found a USS Saginaw LST-1188 Zippo in an English nightclub, still have it, haven't smoked in years, "We shall deliver".

[@shawngilliland243]

May the memory of the bravery of those stalwart men of the sea never fade. Thank you for telling their story so well, History Guy.

[@johnreed8336]

Thank you for remembering the USS Saginaw and its crew .

[@RTFLDGR]

HONORS TO THESE MEN. Thank you for telling this story.

[@lordchickenhawk]

Their names have yet to be spoken that one last time.... thanks to THG

[@Patrick_Cooper]

The Pacific is so big. It is hard to imagine. I swam over the Marianas Trench, when in the Coast Guard 1977. 36,000 feet to the bottom. If the ship hadn't been only a few yards away, it would be a very scary place.

[@raydunakin]

For some reason the thought of being so far from the bottom has always filled me with dread when swimming in the sea, even in much shallower waters.

[@PhantomLover007]

Outstanding story of courage, dedication and commitment to their fellow shipmates and to the service.

[@infoscholar5221]

You never know when the History Guy is going to bring a tear to your eye. Well done, sir.

[@ronjones1077]

Very well told. So many vessels with names given but seldom explained or understood. GOD Bless them all

[@jerryodell1168]

Mare Island was bitter-sweet for me when I was stationed there. On the bitter side, my former ship from the early 1960's, the USS Canberra CAG-2 (and CA-70), was there in mothballs on it's way to scrapping. The main gate road past right by the ship. On the sweet side I was there to attend classes that prepared me for my future profession in Electricity and Electronics.

[@gnome53]

Thank you for another episode of maritime history. Appreciate the respect shown for the lost.

[@Gigi-ik3br]

Another great adventure to start off the week. Thank you for showing us another example of human endurance under greatest of tribulations.

[@BlasphemousBill2023]

I enjoyed it! Never heard that story before! Thanks!

[@tango6nf477]

Great story HG as always thanks. I love the English language and its infinite variety. One its best is the way that words are pronounced differently such as the word "Route" which means the way to go between two places which is pronounced as "Rout" in the USA, which means of course a disastrous defeat in a battle. Some purists criticise this but I love it as it shows just how international the language is and how flexible too. Where I come from (England) you only need to drive 10 miles down the road to find another dialect and pronunciation of some words. It is a strength not weakness.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

The pronunciation of route has come up on the channel several times. In the US both pronunciations are common. We drive down “root” 66, but get our internet via a “rowter” not a “rooter.” Whereas the UK prefers “root,” Australians prefer “rowt,” as “root” has a vulgar connotation there.

[@harleylawdude]

Society is strengthened by a diverse social fabric.

[@tango6nf477]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel That's what makes English so beautiful, I wonder if the same applies to French, or Chinese etc? I guess it must.

[@oldsguy354]

George Bernard Shaw said "England and America are two countries separated by a common language" which is both true and humorous.

[@tessat338]

Wow! This gives more relevance to the old saying, "Worse things happen at sea!"

[@thomasdillon7761]

It doesn't get any better than a good heroic sea story. Thank you for making this wonderful video.

[@robertc.delmedico6242]

Excellent story! Thank you.

[@michaelgalea5148]

Thank You for the great video. I was not aware of this incident. I always learn something new by watching your videos.

[@beebop9808]

Excellent story. Very well told. Thank you!

[@haroldshull6848]

Your choise of no background noise for the last 5 screens is appreciated...

[@glencrandall7051]

Quite a saga. Thank you for sharing. Have a great Holiday and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@timtate8520]

Great video… very informative… as always!

[@raydunakin]

What a harrowing ordeal, and what a riveting tale! So sad that three of them survived so long, through so much, only to lose their lives so close to the end.

[@larryjohnson7591]

That was something I never heard about. Thank you for telling me story of bravery and courage.

[@twoheart7813]

A very interest piece of Naval history that I never knew of. Well done.

[@censusgary]

It’s ironic that the Saginaw’s reason for visiting the island was to see if there were any shipwrecked sailors there in need of rescuing, and the Saginaw promptly wrecked and her own men needed rescuing.

[@Murhaain]

Shipwrecks are always a fascinating and underappriciated topic.

[@melkaman8200]

This is a very interesting, and often untold, story! In the mid-1950s, it was loaned to the City of Saginaw, Michigan and since at least the mid-70s, it stood on display at the Saginaw County Historical Society's "Castle Museum" until 2015, when it was returned to the Naval History and Heritage Command.

[@badguy5554]

Wow! What a story! Many thanks.

[@themandolinmaniac]

Another wonderful documentary - thanks so much!

[@kevinquist]

thank you for these videos. I love that some one is keeping these memories alive. Not just the huge,history book making events but the 'history worthy to be remembered". you are the talk of my group. "hey, you see the new history guy episode?"

[@cantybrad]

Man what a story, reminds me of the story of two groups stuck on Auckland Island around the same era? Both groups were on the island but didn't know the others existed. One groups made a boat like this one and sailed it to new Zealand looking for help. The wrote a book about it call island of the lost, I listed to it as a audio boom in absolute awe

[@pyrsartur3675]

This was excellent… heartfelt and very well done. You honored the memory of that crew especially those who made the journey that ultimately led to the rescue of their shipmates.

[@zovaynezovanyari5442]

Great story about some great men, and of course...you mentioned pirates. 😀

[@pjacobsma]

For some insight into what it must have been like for the crew of this small boat I recommend reading The Open Boat by Stephen Crane.

[@AnneEloiseOfCNY]

Oh! Great great book! 📚

[@rich478]

Thanks, that was a great story that I had never even heard of.

[@danstatic9774]

Fair winds and flowing seas to the lost, forever on patrol. The mind of the sailor is amazing to save weight aboard for comforts like tea and coffee. Desperate times call for the best of times

[@ushillbillies]

LOVE your stories , they are so important

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Brave men all l am sure.....Such men as these....Thank THG🎀

[@BlueEyedColonizer]

Sir , you never fail to impress with your amazing videos. Thank you

[@marie_h1104]

I definitely learned something new, because I knew nothing of the Saginaw. Thank you!

[@erickrobertson7089]

Interesting story I've never heard before. Much hardship and heartache. Reminiscent of the Endurance. Thanks for the upload.

[@johnphillips519]

Yet another awesome episode of THG👍👏 thank you and merry christmas to you and yours👍

[@loganjohnson3589]

No mater how large or small ,wonderful or horrific you always manage to find parts of history that in some cases have truly been nearly forgotten .and they all deserve to be remembered

[@willyeverlearn7052]

Thank you for your work.

[@andrewp8284]

This whole story reminds me of the Shackleton expedition, albeit men unfortunately lost their lives from the Saginaw. As I recall Shackleton’s entire crew survived, somehow.

[@johnwilson2338]

As always, you have delivered a wonderful segment of our history 👏! Keep up your good work! 👍

[@runningdogx]

Your stories are great.

[@kaym.h.3583]

Very interesting - thanks for sharing 😊

[@angrysquirrel187]

Thank you for the video, I’d never heard this story. I’ve always been stunned by the tale of the Endurance , and this tale reminds me of it.

[@swinedance]

Thank you for this. When I was in stationed at NS Midway we flew LOG flights to Kure to take supplies to the LORAN station that was there. I has no idea about its history.

[@tessat338]

Is there a landing strip there now?

[@swinedance]

@@tessat338 The landing strip is about the only feature left from the LORAN station, but from satellite photos you can't tell what condition the landing field is in.

[@ravenmouth]

Marvelous video

[@Sawyersmaple]

What a great piece of history. Thanks for sharing.

[@jaymorgan7728]

I've never heard about this before. Very interesting.

[@jeffbangkok]

Just watched yesterday on an episode of "What's going on with shipping" how difficult it was to provide coal for shipping in the Pacific concerning the Great white fleet.

[@CreedK]

5:28 what an incredible description

[@mattgeorge90]

Another great episode!

[@lizmacrae4970]

Thank you for this interesting story…

[@agairinc]

You absolutely rock

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Tks

[@MarshOakDojoTimPruitt]

thanks

[@geoffgill5334]

You are the best!!!

[@stevedietrich8936]

Good Morning THG.

[@markday1714]

outstanding content

[@nzs316]

Amazing!

[@higgs923]

As a child I spent many happy hours in the Rodman Library on Mare Island. Dad was career Navy having enlisted in 1938.

[@bones007able]

Never knew there was a USS Saginaw.... Thanks for the info

[@pakde8002]

The most dangerous thing in a hopeless situation is the belief one is saved one minute before safety is realized.

[@vonslagle]

This one is tremendous

[@BasicDrumming]

Great video.

[@CapnBlackJackHonour]

Mare Island Brewery produces “Saginaw Golden Ale” in her honor! I live a stones throw away from MINSY.

[@franksnyder1038]

Anchors Aweigh...GO NAVY.

[@candybanks8717]

Since Hollywood seems to be out of movie ideas, could someone please send them a link to this channel.

[@davidcouch6514]

OMG you can be sure “Swanee River” wouldn’t make it into the Screenplay, the Wardroom Steward’s role would be expanded to his solely navigating the rescue craft to Hawaii, mapping the return course for the Steamer, and being robbed of celeb due to racism and homophobia (being gay) lol. Don’t call Hollywood.

[@ethanwhite5194]

I'm from Saginaw Michigan, how have I not heard of this?

[@kathrynlynnkipfmiller9110]

Hello, fellow Tri-City native. I also never heard of this ship. It's so weird to hear about local history like this

[@soknightsam]

A video on Kure Atoll itself would be quite interesting

[@realryder2626]

Rip. Thanks for the gearbox.

[@hillaryclinton2415]

Your channel / face is what the History Channel COULD HAVE BEEN

[@tygrkhat4087]

What it should be.

[@jliller]

It was decent in the 1990s, wasn't it? Has anyone made a good YT video about what caused that channel to spiral into being a complete joke?

[@timmcquerry6068]

Ain't that the LIVEN TRUTH!

[@thenebbish7709]

Now THAT was an epic moustache

[@tonyk1584]

Nice finish

[@FREDOGISFUUN]

Today, with no cell phone reception in a spot on the earth, death will be imminent in just a few hours to all! HG Thank you for all the videos I have enjoyed them all. Merry Christmas!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Happy Hanukkah 🕎 Classmates and History Guy 🤓

[@TinMan0555]

A perfect example of the saying, “Ships of wood and men of iron”.

[@Tagurrit]

I lived overlooking Mare Island in Vallejo.

[@TheA8lee]

No adverts! Therefore, I've liked and subscribed.

[@jliller]

The lack of adverts is a rarity. Although at least half the time THG's sponsor is Magellan TV, so it could be a lot worse.

[@JeepWrangler1957]

I served on the USS Saginaw LST-1188 in 1977.

[@jameswalton3691]

I to serve on the LST 1188 between 1977 and 1980

[@JeepWrangler1957]

@@jameswalton3691 were you with us when we left Rota and had to escort the damaged sub back to Norfolk? I think we could only do like 5 knots, fresh water condensers broke, ran out of almost everything.

[@jameswalton3691]

Yes sir

[@JeepWrangler1957]

@@jameswalton3691 the Dead Man’s Hand…Aces & Eights. When we had liberty in Malaga Spain we went to Torremolinos. I’m 65 now…that was the best time I ever had up to and since.

[@jameswalton3691]

@@JeepWrangler1957 was the shortest med Cruise ever