The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-06

Copyright. 1885 by the Associated Press.
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA. June 3. Z
a. m. via Port Antonio. Jamaica. June 4.
per Associated Press Dispatch Boat
Dauntless delayed IN transmisslont.--The
following is the detailed story of the act
of heroism performed by Lieut.. Rich
mond r. Hohson and his seven compag-
ions in sinking the collier Merrimac
across the channel leading into the harhor
of Santiago dc Cuba:
The Spanish fleet Is now helpless. being
held captive In Santiago de Cuba harbor.
The narrow channel leading into the
harboc was completely blocked early this
morning, when the United States collier
Merrimac IVES sunk across its entrance
II is now impossible for the spaniards
to get out. and IL is equally impossible
for any vessel to get into the harbor
Therefore the Spanish first-ciass armor~
ed cruisers Maria Teresa and cristobai
Colon. viscaya and Aimirante oquendo,
with the two torpedo boat destroyerS
ttoi anu IiAAuH, dtE hV ssHiktE o. SHy
use to Spain. This result was accom-
plished through the heroism of Lieut..
Richmond II. Hobson. assistant, naval
constructor and Daniel MONTAGUE. Geo.
Charette. j. G. Murphy. Oscar Diegnan.
John Il. Phillips. John Kelly and II. Clau-
sen. The last named. n coxswa!n of the
New York. took part In the expedition
s,aut all
by the Spanards. but the Spanish adj
miral, in recognition of their bravery,
sent word To the American admiral under
| a nag of truce, thar he was willing To ex-
change the prisoners. and assuring the
American commander that they wo1ld be
treated with fhe greatest kindness
Money and provisions have been sent TO-
them. and the necessary steps are being
taken to bring about their exchange.
Montague Is chief master-at-arms OF
the New York. lie has served four years
in the navy. Il % years OF age. and his
home is In brooklyn.
George Chareite is gunner's mate OF
the first class on board the New York.
He has served fourteen years In the navy.
Mass.
J. c. Murphy Is eoxswain OF the Iowa,
Oscar Diegnan Is a coxswaln Of the
Merrin,ac and is ahcat "a years of age.
John F. Phillips H. "a machinist of the
first class. belonging TO the Merrimsc
lie is IS years of age and his home IS in
Boston.
tnl, Iz,+ft tz "a "a T-ta a hnk
years of age. Ills horne Is near Glasgow.
Scotland.
H. C1aussu, who slipped on board the
Merrimac without permission. In order 10
take part IN the expedition. Is cox
swain OF the New York
Lieut. Richmond Pearson Hobson. as
sis,ant naval constructor. was horn at
Greensboro, Ais.. August Il. 1870 was
appointed after n competitive examination
to the naval academy In May. tsss. He
was The youngest member Of his class
but graduated al the head OF his eighteen
companions He has studied engineering
under the auspices of the United States
government m France. and was made an-
sistant naval constructor IN 1851 He In
the author Of semi political work en-
tilted ''The Situation and Outlook in
Europe" and was assigned 10 the aag-
ship New York when Rear Admiral
Sampson sailed fer me West fadies.
The three men from the Merrlmae's
crew werc all green hands and shipped
recently for the war.
The Merrimae rad on boaFd go tons NJ
coal when she WAS ef.ntttsa acroSa tia
channel.
Lieut. Hobson started on rs daring er-
rand a. O'Clock this mofninE The Mer-
rlnac was lying 20 the westward Under
cover Of the c,euds over the moon she
stole towards the eesst and made her
way 20 the eastward. followed by
steam iaunch from the Sew York witn
she following crew On board:
Naval Cadet j. " Powell OF oswego.
~ "
apprentice Of the FIRST class: J. Mutings.
eoai pasaers G. l. Russell. fnaeh'nst Of
tee second class.
In the launch were bandages aad appil-
ances for the wounded. From the crowd
- de,ks ~ The New York nothing could
be seen Of the Merrimac after ahe had
gotten under the shadows Of the en.s.
! Fer half hour officers ard men strain
ed their eyes pserlng into the g.ooa-