The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-06-07
A BOLD DEED.
Volunteer Crew ScuttIes the Merrimae
in the Mouth of Santiago Harbor.
The Heroes Attempted to Return But I'M
der Heavy Fire Compelled to Row to
the Spanish Flag Ship-They
Will Be Exchanged.

WASHINGTON, June 6.-''The cork is
| driven in the bottle, ;" was the com
ment of the naval afficers at the navy
department Saturday morning upon
the news of the sinking of the collier
Merrimac in the channel at the en-
trance of Santiago harbOr,
KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 6.-HObson
and the hero crew of the Merrimac
were saved in the following manner:
Unable, after the sinking Of their
vessel, to make their way back
through the storm of shot and
shell, they rowed into the barbor to
the Spanish flagship and were taken
on board unframed. The Spanish
admiral under a flag of truce on Fri
day sent word to the American admiral
that he offered to exchange the pris-
oners, adding, that in the meanwhile
Hobson and his party would be treat.
&c with the greatest kindness.
WASHINGTON, June 6.-Information
| comes from the white house that the
secretary of the navy has received a
dispatch from Adm. Sampson stating
| that the Nerrimac was sunk in the
channel off Santiago harbor for the
purpose blocking the passage.
On BOARD DISPATCH BOAT DAUNT-
LESS, OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June c.
Via Kingston, Jamaica.-Rr Adm.
Sampson, during Friday morning de-
cided to close the narrow harbor en-
trance of Santiago de Cuba by sinking
the collier Merrimac, loaded with coal,
in the channel. He called for volun-
-, Il,
1000 men offered themselves Lieut..
HObsOn and six men were chosen, and
Friday morning the Merrimac, under
her own steam, entered the chan
mel under a terrible Spanish fire,
The vessel was riddled with pro-
jectiles, but she anchored and
swung around. Lieut.. Hobson then
set off an internal torpedo with
an electric attachment, there was an
explosion, the Merrimac sank, the
channel was closed, and, apparently,
Adm. Cervera will be unable to es-
cape.
WASHING TON, June 6.-The war de-
partment was open for business in
limited way for half the day Sunday,
and Adjt. Gen. Corbin was hard at
work at his desk in Geographic CORE
spOndence with army officers in all
parts of the country and par
ticularly regarding the Spanish
military prisoners from whom Sc
lections will be made for exchange of
the gallant little band that sunk
the Merrimac. The commanding officer
at Fort Mcpherson, Ga, has furnished
the department a full list of the cap
tives to facilitate the work of ex-
change. This is likely to occupy more
time than was originally expected be-
cause of the difficulty of communicate
ing with the Spanish admiral at San
tiago
The number of Spanish prisoners at
Fort Mcpherson is one first lieutenant,
seven second lieutenants, one sergeant
and nine privateS.
Information afforded by the official
records of the navy department as to
the full names and antecedents of the
gallant sailors who made up Hobson's
little crew in sinking the Merrimac
differs in some essentials from the
data furnished through the dispatch
boats Sunday morning. The naval list
is about as follows:
Daniel Montage, frst-class machin-
list on the New York, born IN Ireland
and 20 years old; last enlistment in
December, 1896; next of kin Kate Gold
en-. sister, 81 Horatio street. New
York
George Charette, frst-class gunner's
mate on the New York, born in
Lowell, Mass, 90 years of age; last
enlistment May 20, 1898; has been in
the service since 1884; his next of kin
is Alexander Charette, father, Lowell,
Mass
Osborn mot Oscar Deignan, cox
swain on the Merrimac, born in Stu
art, Ia, 81 years old; last enlistment |
April p, 1898; next of kin Julia Deig- |
nan, mother, Stuart, Ia.
George f. mot John Pr Phillips,
machinist on the Merrimac, born in |
Boston, "a years old; last enlistme Mt |
March 80, 1898; next of kin Andrew |
Phillips, Cambridgeport, Mass.
Francis probably instead of john |
Kelly, water tender on the Merrimac, !
born in Boston, % years old; enlisted |
at Norfolk, April 81, last; next of kin, |
Francis Kelly, Boston.
Randolph Clausen, coxswain on the |
New York; born in Boston and % years
OF age; last enlistment February %,
1897; next of kin. Teresa Clausen. wife, |
l27 Cherry street, New York.
1t is apparent to the department Off
Gals that the call for yolun teers die |
not extend beyond the two ships, New
York and Merrimac, as all the men |
named belonged to those two vessels. |
Great admiration is expressed at the
department at the cool pluck and dis
erection shown 5y the young cadet,
George w. Powell, who took command |
of the New Yorlx's steam launch and |
lay under the batteries for many hours
until he was satisfied from his own OBJ |
servatiOn that the Merrimac had gone /
down before he returned to the flag
ship. 1t is felt that his fate involved |
a display of quite as much courage
as was shown by the Merrimac crew
and he is likely to profit by it.