The record-union., 1898-06-06
HOBSON'S
GLORIOUS
EXPLOIT.
He CooI|y Prepared All
the Details.
Never Thought Of How He
Could Get Back.
His Only Aim Was to Get in and Do
His Work in Good Shape.
Faonr narinr nf tho Epvnn Rravp Men Who
His Only Aim Was to Get in and Do
His Work in Good Shape.
Eager Daring Of the Seven Brave Men Who
Were Chosen TO Accompany Him
on His Daring Ex-
pedition.

OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June 3
Z a. m (via Port Antonio, Jamaica,
June 4. per the Associated Press dis
patch boat Dolphin.-Delayed in trans
mission on.)-(Copyrighted, 1898, by the
Associated Press).-The following is a
detailed story of the acts of heroism
performed by Lieutenant Richmond r.
Hobson and his seven companions IN
sinking the collier Merrimac across the
channel leading into the harbor of
Santiago de Cuba:
The Spanish fleet is now helpless, be-
ing held captive in Santiago de Cuba
harbor The narrow channel leading
into the harbor was completely blocked
early this morning. when the United
States collier Merrimac was sunk
across its entrance. 1t is i'm
possible for the Spaniards to get out,
and it is equally impossible for any yes
sci to get into the harbor. Therefore,
the Spanish first-class cruisers Maria
Teresa. Cristobal Colon, Vizcaya and
Almirante Oquendo with the two tor
pedo boat destroyers Furor and Pluton.
are no longer of any use to Spain.
This result was accomplished throlgh
the heroism of Lieutenant Richmond
p Hobson, Assistant Naval Construc-
tor, and Daniel Montague, George
Charette, ]. c. Murphy, Oscar Deignan,
John F. Phillips, John Kelly and H.
Clausen, The last named, a coxswain
of the New York, took part in the ex-
pedition against orders They We're all
captured by the Spaniards, but the
Spanish Admiral, in recognition of their
bravery. sent word to the American
Admiral under a flag of truce, that he
was willing to exchange the prisoners,
and assuring the American commander
greatest kindness. Money and provis-
ion 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. He has served four
years in the navy, is - years of age,
and his home is in Brooklyn.
George Charette is a gunners mate
York. He has served fourteen years
in the navy, is 81 years of age and re-
sides at Lowell Mass
j. c. Murphy is a coxswain of the
Iowa.
Oscar Deignan is coxswain of the
Merrimac, and is about n years old
John P. Phillips is a machinist of the
first class, belonging to the Merrimac
He is 81 years of age and his home is
in Boston
John Kelly is a water-tender about
30 years old. His home is near Glas-
gov, Scotland.
Lieutenant Richmond p Hobson, AS
sistant Naval Constructor was born in
Greensboro. Ala, August II. 1870: was
appointed, after a competitive examin-
alton, to the Naval Academy in May
lSSo. He was the youngest member
OF his class. but graduated at the head
OF his eighteen companions He has
studied engineering under fhe auspices
OF the United States Government in
France. and was made Assistant Naval
constructor IN 1871. He is the author
or sefnl-pohticai work, entitled The
Situation and Outlook in Europe" and
was assigned TO the flagship New York
when Rear-Admiral Sampson sailed for
the West Indies
Lieutenant Hobson is a nephew of
John A. Morehead of North Carolina,
and is a grandson of Chief Justice
Pearson of that State He is un-
married and his father. Judge James
NJ. Hobson, lives at Greensboro. Ala.
The three men from the Merrimac's
crew We're all green hands, and shipped
recently for the war.
Lieutenant Hobson started on his
daring errand at ; O'Clock this morn
ing. The Merrimac was lying to the
westward. Under cover of the clouds
over the moon she stole towards the
coast and made her way TO the east
ward, followed by steam launch from
the New York with the following crew
on board
n. Y: p. X. Peterson, coxswain; II.
Haldford. apprentice of the first class:
j. Mullings. coal passer; G. L. Russell,
machinist of the second class.
In the launch We're handages and ap-
pliances for the wounded.
From the crowded deaks Of the New
York nothing could be seen of the -Ier-
rimac after she had got under the snaI-
ows of the hills. For half an hour Off
GERS and men strained their eyes peer
ing into the gloom when, suddenly the
flash of a gun streamed out from Nor
70 Castle and then the New York knew
the Merrimac was nearing her end The
guns in the Spanish batteries opposite
MORO Castle answered quickly with