Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-06-11

AIN IlODhoC-N'
on Aug. II, 1870, was appointed after
a competitive examination, to the Ma
val academy in May, 1885. He was the
youngest member of his class, but
graduated at the head of his Is com
panions.
Daniel Montague, chief master of
arms, of New York. He has served
four years in the navy, is 20 years OF
age, and his home is in Brooklyn.
George Charette, gunner's mate of
the first class on board the New York.
He has served IA years in the navy. is
81 years old and resides at Lowell,
Mass.
J. C. Murphy, a coXswain of the Iowa.
Osborne Deignan. a coxswain of the
Merrimae. about q years old.
George +. Phillips. a machinist of
the first class, belonging to the Merri-
mac He is Sc years of age, and his
home is in Boston.
Francis Kelly, water tender, about
80 years old. His home is near Glas-
gov. Scotland.
II. Clausen. who shipped on board the
Merrimac without permission, IN order
to take part in the expedition, is a
coXswain of the New York.
Lieutenant Hobson and his men are
now Spanish prisoners, as a flag of
truce announces, and will be exchanged
in due course of time, but THAI their
mission was successful admits OF no
doubt
The preparations for the wonderful
piece Of daring were made in the most
matter of fact way, and with an utter
disregard of death. Indeed the men
chosen for the hazardous duty spoke
only Of getting in, saying nonchalantly:
"Oh, I guess we stand a fair show of
getting out. but they can't stop us go
ing in"
owing to the dangerous nature of
the work. it was decided that only
enough men to man the collier should
take part in the expedition. Therefore
Lieutenant Hobson called for six vol
unteers To the glory of the Ameri-
can navy be it said, whole cheering
ships crews responded. About 300 on
board the New York, some $50 on board
the Iowa and a like proportion from
the other ships volunteered. He picked
three men from the New York and
three from the Merrimac The latter
were green in the service, but they
knew the ship and had pleaded hard
to go.
The men Of the fleet left behind wait
cd expeetantly until long after the firing
that followed the Merrimac's discovery
had ceased and when Ensign Powell
and mis- volunteer crew returned with
on. having seen the Merrimac's little
crew it was believed that all had per-
ished. After daylight. however, Captain
Ovideo, Admiral Cervera's chief of staff
went to the New York under a flag Of
truce and told the story Of the heroes
escape from death. Lieutenant Hobson
had, in the face of a most deadly Span
ish fire. exploded the torpedoes which
sunk the Merrimac, but their plans for
escaping in a small boat had miscar-
ried. and they were compelled to swim
! ashore, where they were taken pris-
! oners. Two OF the men were slightly
wounded, but Lieutenant Hobson him
self had escaped unhurt Admiral Ger
| vera, amazed at the daring courag
/ of the men, determined to notify Adj
/ miral Sampson at once of their escape
/ from death 1t was added that their
bravery had won the admiration Of
/ every Spaniard, and would secure for
! them the most courteous treatment.
! They win also be exchanged for Span
! ish prisoners. Money and supplies were
sent to the prisoners through Captain
OVideo.