USS Saginaw
Naval Gunboat · United States · Lost 1870 · The Hawaiian Islands
The first U.S. Navy vessel built on the West Coast, wrecked on the reef at remote Kure Atoll while supporting a Pacific coaling station survey.
The Vessel and Her Loss
USS Saginaw, launched in 1859 at Mare Island, was the first naval vessel built on the West Coast and served in the Pacific and during operations off China before her final Pacific deployment. In 1870 she supported work on a coal depot at Midway Atoll, then sailed for Kure Atoll, where she struck the reef and was wrecked on October 29, 1870. Her crew survived ashore, and a small boat crew sailed for Kauai to raise the alarm, though several were lost in the surf on arrival. The wreck site was documented by NOAA archaeologists in the 2000s.
Vessel
- 1859
- Mare Island Navy Yard
- Vallejo, California
- Wood
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Steam side-wheel and sail
- United States Navy
Loss
- October 29, 1870
- Grounding
- Kure Atoll, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
- North Pacific Ocean
- Midway Atoll
- Not established
- Not established
- The crew survived the wreck; a small boat crew was later lost attempting to sail for help to Hawaii.
- Montgomery Sicard
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Scattered wreckage including anchors and machinery documented on the reef at Kure Atoll.
- Not established
- 2003
- Within Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
Position
- 28.40° N 178.30° E
- Approximate position
- Kure Atoll, Hawaii
Reflects the general position of Kure Atoll; not a precise surveyed wreck coordinate.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (85/100)
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
Build history, mission, loss narrative.
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Site survey details and documentation history.
