The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-07-13
HOBSON TELLS
HIS STORY

ALL ABOUT THE SINKING
OF THE MERR1MAC.
The Associated Press correspondent
of Santiago, has sen. the following as
Lieutenant Hobson's story of his ex-
perience; his marvellous escape and bis
imprisonment in Moro Castle:
Isdid not miss the entrance to the
harbor," be said. .'as Eusigo Powell
in the laanch supposed. | beaded East
until got my bearings and theu made
for it, atraighs in Theo came the fir
log. e. vas grand, flashing ont first
from oue side of the barbor acd then
ste.orher from those big guos 90 s6e
hills-,he Vizcaya, lying inside the
harbor. joining in.
Troops from Santiago had rushed
dowa when the news of the Merri-
nac's coming was .elegraphed and sol
diers lined the foot Of the cliffs, fir
ing wildly across aud killing each
other With the cross.frs The Merri-
macs steering gear broke as she got to
Essrella Point. Dolly three of the tor.
pedees on her side exploded when |
touched the button A huge subma-
rine mine caught her full amidsbips
hurling the water high 10 the air and
seariog great rent in the Merrimac's
side.
"Her stern rap upon Estrella Point.
Chief; owing sS.he work done BY che
mine, she began to sink slowly At
that time she was across the channel
but before she settled the tide drifted
ber around We were all aft, lying on
sbe deck. Shells and bullets whis.led
around us. Six iucb shells from sbe
Vixeaya came tearing into the Merri-
mac, crashing toto wood aud iron aud
passing clear through. while the plung-
log. shots from sbe'fort broke shrough
her decks.
s.Not man must move" [ said,
.'and il va, ,oDly ewiog to the splendid
discipline Of the meo that we we're not
all killed sa sheeshells rained over US
and minutes became hours of sus.
pense. The mems mouths grew
parched, but We must lie there till day
light, [ told them. Now and again
ese or the olber OF the men. lying With
bis face glued 30 the deck and wonder
Jog whether the next she'll would not
come our way, would say: "Hadn't we
better drop off DOW sir ?'' but | said
'wait till daylight"
..It would have beeo impossible TO
ge. the casanarao any where bus 70 the
shore where the soldiers stood shooting
and hoped that by dayligh: We might
% recognized aad saved. The grand
old Merrimsc kept sinking | wanted
to 60 forward and see the damage done
there, where nearly all the fire was di-
rected, but oue man said if | rose it
would draw all the fire on the rest. So
l lay motioDless 1t was splendid the
way these men behaved. The FIRE OF
the batteries and the Viseaya was sawful.
When the water came up 90 the Mer
rimae's decks, the catamaran f,a'ed
amid the wreckage. but vas still made
fast 70 the boon, and We caught hold OF
the edge and cluog 90, our heads being
above water
lone man thought We were safer
righ, there; is vas quite light. the FIR
ing had ceased except chat directed at
the New York launch, and | feared
Eoeigu Powell and bis men had been
killed"
"A Spanish launch came toward the
Merrinsc We sgreed TO capture heE
and run. Just as she came close the
Spaniards saw US, aud half a dozen
marines Jumped up add pointed their
rifles at our heads.
rs there any officer in that boat tc
receive surrender of prisoners Of
var p | shouted. Az old man leaned
out noder the awning aud waved tls
hand Il vas Admiral Cervera. The
marines lowered their rifles, aud We
we're helped into the launch. Then ~e
were put in cells in Moro Castle
''Tt WAS q. grand sight few days
later to see the BON barcment, toe
shells striking and bursting around E
Moro. Then We we're taken into San
tiago. | had the court martial room 10
the barracks. My men we're kept prls.
ouers in the hospital From NY wiz
dow could see the army moving, aod
it vas terrible to see those poor lads
across the open and being shot down
by the Spauiards 10 the rifle pits 10
frcut of me Yesterday the Spaoiardt
became as polite as could be | knew
something vas coming. aod then
was EXCHANGED.