Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-06-09
HOBSON'S HEROIC DEED.
After Touching Off a Torpedo
the Crew Flld on a Raft
but were captured.
PRISONERS IN MORRO.
Spanish Admiral, Filled with Admira-
ton at Their Daring, Offers to
Exchange Them.

rades Ran the Collier Merrimac Into
the Harbor and Sank Her. Captain
Oviedo, Cerveras Chief of staff Sent to
sampson with the Information. Cervera
Must Sink His Vessels or Surrender.
Cape Haytien, Hayti.-More partic-
ulars We're received here to-day about
the sinking of the collier Merrimac,
In addition to those l cabled you last
night.
The Merrimac entered the harbor of
Santiago de Cuba early in the morn
ing and was sunk by her own crew.
Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson,
who was in charge of her, exploded
torpedo, and she went down almost
Immediately. The eight men who
were on her jumped on n raft and
were made prisoners.
Great admiration was expressed by
the Spanish officers at the daring deed.
Admiral Cervera communicated with
the American squadron and offered TO
exchange the prisoners, out the re-
suit is not known here.
Rear Admiral Sampson decided to
close the narrow harhor entrance of
Santiago de Cuba, by sinking the col
lier Merrimac, loaded with coal, in the
channel. He called for volunteers to
go to almost certain death, and four
thousand men offered themselves.
Lieutenant Hobson and six men
were chosen, and, early Friday morn
ing, the Merrimac, under her own
steam, entered the channel under a
terrible Spanish fire. The vessel was
riddled with projectiles, but she an
chored and swung around.
Lieutenant Hobson then set off an
internal torpedo, with an electric at
tachment; there was an explosion,
the Merrimac sank, the channel was
closed and, apparently, Admiral Ger
vera will be unable to escape.
Names of the heroes: Assistant
Naval Constructor Il. L. Hobson,
George Charette, Oscar Deignan, John
Kelly, Daniel Montague, j. Il. Muir
ply and John j. Phillips.
Lieutenant Hobson appears to have
carried out his plan to the smallest de-
tail, except as regards the method Of
escape. The whaleboat in which the
crew were to attempt to escape was
either blown up or shot to pieces, for
Lieutenant Hobson and his men drift
! ed ashore on an old catamaran which
was slung over the ships side, at the
last moment, as an extra precaution.
Upon reaching shore the men were
taken prisoners and sent to Santiago
aIt ,1nu n,.I I at lnt
taken to Moro Castle where they
now are.
The Spanish Admiral, under n flag
of truce. sent word to the American
Admiral that he offered to exchange
the prisoners, adding that, in the
meanwhile, TIobson and his party
would be treated with the greatest
kindness. Captain Oviedo, Admiral
| Cervera's chief of staff, who boarded
the New York under a flag of truce
did not give further details of the cap
/ ture.
The bravery of the Americans evi-
| IDENTIFY excited as much admiration
among the Spaniards as it did among
the men of the American fleet. The
prisoners will be perfectly safe, and
will probably be well treated while
they remain in MORO Castle.
The fleet is wild with delight to-
night over the termination of the
most daring expedition since the de
! struction of the Confederate ironclad
Albemarle by Lieutenant Gushing.
AT quarters ON the New York last
evening Chaplain Royce, praying be-
fore the bareheaded crew on deck,
thanked God for having preserved
/ Lieutenant IIobson and the men under
him. Last night Chaplain Royce i'll
voked Gods protection, but then be-
lieved it impossible that his prayer
could be granted
There are now only two courses
open to the Spanish commander, who
for weeks kept the United States
| guessing as to his intentions and
whereabouts. He must ultimately
either sink his ships or surrender
| them to the americans. 1t is scarcely
believed that he will be willing to do
the latter The chances are that
when he finds himself attacked by
land and sea, as now seems to be the
plan, he will blow up his ships to
prevent them from falling into the
4 hands of his pnpmy