The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-12
OCCUPATION OF CUBA HAS BEGUN
Six Hundred Marines Pitch their Tents Above the Ruins of the Ouer
Forcatons Of Guantanamo, and the Stars and Stripes
Now Float Over the Soil Of Cuba.

Spanish ships by obstructing the narrow
part of the entrance by sinking a collier
ut that point. Upon calling upon Mr..
Hobson for his professional opinion as
to a sure method of sinking the ship
he manifested the most lively interest in
the problem. After several days con-
sideration he presented solution which
he considered would insure the immediate
sinking of the ship when she reached
the desired point in the channel. This
plan we prepared for execution when We
reached Santiago. The plan contempla-
ted a crew of only seven men and Mr..
Hobson, who begged that it might be en-
trusted to him. The anchor chains were
arranged on deck for both the anchors,
forward and aft, the plan including the
anchOring of the ship automatically.
AS soon as / reached Santiago and
had collier to work upon, the details
were completed and diligently prosecu-
ted. we hoping to complete them in one
day as the noon and tide served best the
first night after our arrival. Notwith
standing every effort, the hour of four
~ o'clock in the morning arrived, and
the preparations was scarcely c0mplet-
ed. After Il careful inspection of the
final preparations / was forced TO re-
linquish the plan for that morning as
dawn was breaking Mr.. HobSon begged
to try it at all hazards.
This morning proved more propitious
rs a prompt start could be made. Moth
ing could have been more gallantly exc
cuted. We waited impatiently after the
firing by the Spaniards had ceased.
When the men did not re-appear from the
harbor at q o'clock / feared that they
had all perished. A steam launch which
had been sent in charge Of naval Ca
Diet Powell to rescue the men appeared
mt this time coming out under persist
ent fire Of he batteries. but brought none
Of the crew. A careful inspection OF the
harbOr from this ship showed that the
vessel Merrimac had been sunk in the
channel.
This afternoon the chief Of stilT ef
Admiral Cervera came out under a
flag of truce with letter from the
Admiral extoling the bravery of the
crew in an unusual manner.
/ cannot myself too earnestly ex-
press my appreciation of the conduct
Of Mr.. Hobson and his gallant crew.
venture to say that more brave and
daring thing has not been done since
Gushing blew up the Albemarle.
Referring to the inspiring letter which
you addressed to the officers ut the
beginning of the war am sure you will
offer u suitable professional reward
to Mr.. HObson and his companons.
Il must add that Commander J. NJ
Miller relinquished his command with
the very greatest reluctance believing
he should retain his command under all
circumstances. He was finally convinc-
ed of the attempt and the person to
carry out the details which had been in
preparation by Mr.. Hobson might en-.
danger its proper execution. / therefore
took the liberty to relieve him for this
reason only. There were hundreds Of
volunteers who were anxious TO partici-
pate; there were $50 from the Iowa.
nearly as many from this ship and large
numbers from all other ships officers and
men alike.
tSigned) w. II. SAMPSON.