The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-05
Which Was Exploded by the Daring Command
er as the Ship Swung Around at Anchor.
Failure to Escape Capture Due to the Loss of Small
Boat-Great Rejoicing Among Officers and
Men of the American Fleet.

ried out his plan to the smallest details.
except as regards the method Of escape.
The rowboat in which the crew We're TO att
tempt to escape was either blown up or
shot to pieces. for Lieutenant Hobson and
his men drifted 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 prison-
ers and sent to Santiago city under guard.
Later they were taken to Morro Castle,
where they now. are.
Captain Ovdeo, Admiral Cervera's chief
of staff, who boarded the New York under
a flag Of truce. did not give further de-
tails of the capture. The bravery OF the
Americans evidently excited as much ADMIR-.
alton among the Spaniards as it did among
the men of the American fleet. The prison.
ers will be perfectly safe and will probably
be well treated while they remain in Moro
Castle.
The feet is wild with delight over the
termination of the most daring expedition
since the destruction of the Confederate
ironclad Albemarle by Lieutenant Cushing
in 1864. The admiral is just as glad as
the youngest jackie. Captain Chadwick, OF
the flagship New York, who is usually most
conservative in speaking of the incident.
said Splendid. Splendid. Too much cam
not be said about It,"
The general opinion is that no man eve,
deserved recognition by Congress for per-
sonal ry more than does Lieutenant
Hobso ; work was we'll done and his
men q fe. When he started on the ex-
pediticn few thought he could accomplish
his object.
Officers of the feet, when questioned as to
whether Captain Ovidec could have had any
Interior design in visiting the New York
under a flag of truce, secuted the sugges-
tion, saying that the visit was prompted by
pure chivalry on the part of the Spanlards
and was noble of them
Clausen the New Yorlxs coxswain. went
on the Merrimac against orders Nothing
could have kept him from that trip into the
jaws of death.
1t is probable that the Spaniards will try
to blow up the Merrimac but improbable
that they will succeed
Speculation is rife as to exact details of
how Lieutenant Hobson managed to blow
himself and ship up and live to tell the tale.
His heroism has cleared up the situation
well. The Spaniards are now doubly
helEmed in.
At quarters on the New York last even-
ing Chaplain Royce, praying before the
bareheaded crew on deck thanked God for
Having preserved Lieutenant Hobson and
the men under him. Last night Chaplain
Royce invoked this protection, but few then
believed it possible that the prayer could be
granted.
Cadet Powell, who was the last man to
see Lieutenant Hobson before his start ana
who had charge of the launch during its
perilous trip, after much needed sleep told
Lieutenant Hobson took a short sleep for
a few hours, which was often interrupted.
A quarter to he came on deck and made
final inspection, giving his last instructions.
Then we had a little lunch. Hobson was as
cool as cucumber. About 2:30 o'clock I
took the men who were not going on the
trip into the launch and started for the
Texas. the nearest ship. but had to go back
for one of the assistant engineers. whom
Hobson finally compelled to leave. / shook
hands with Hobson the last of ALL He said:
Powell watch the boats crew when we
pull out of the harbor, We viii be cracks,
rowing thirty strokes to the minute
After leaving the Texas saw the Arerrl-
mac steaming slowly in. 1t was only fairly
dark then and the shore was quite visible.
We followed about three-quarters of mile
astern. The Merrimac stood about a mile 1
to the westward of the harbor and seemed
a bit mixed. turning completely around.
Finally. heading to the east. she ran down
and then turned in. We were then chasing
him. because I thought Hobson had lost
his bearings. When Hohson was about two
hundred yards from the harhor the first gun
was fred from the eastern bluff. We were
then half a mile off shore. close under the
batteries The firing increased rapidly. We
steamed in slowly and lost sight OF the Mer-