The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1898-06-11
THE DEED Of HEROES

THE DEED OF HEROES
DETAILED STORY OF THE SINKING
OF THE MERRiMAc.
Hobson and His seven Companions raced
Aimost Certain Dsath-Reseuers In .
Launoh-Naval Cadet rowsll and Crew
Under Fire OF tho spanish Batteries.
Only Returned to the Fleet Whsn
Hope OF Rescue Was Gone.
On Board the Associated Press Dis.
patch Boat Dauntless. OF Santiago de
Cuba, June a.-(Via Port Antonio,
Jamaica, June 4)-The following is q
delayed story Of the act of horoism per.
formed by Lieutenant Richmond p.
Hobson and his seven companions in
sinking the collier Merrimac across the
channel leading into the harbor Of
Santiago de Cuba:
The Spanish feet is now helpless,
being 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. It is now impos-
sible for the Spaniards to get out, and
1t is equally impossible for any vessel
to get into the harbor. The result was
Accomplished Through the Heroism
Of Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson,
assistant naval constructor, and Daniel
Montague. George Charette, J. @.
Murphy, Osborn Diegnan, George Phil.
ipps, Francis Kelly and Randolph
Clauson. The latter, a coxswain Of the
New York, took part in the expedition
against orders They were all captured
by the Spanish, but the Spanish ad.
miral, in recognition of their bravery.
sent word to the American admiral
under a flag Of truce that he was will.
ing to exchange the prisoners and as
surinR the American commander that
they would be treated with the great
est kindness. Money and provisions
have been sent to them, and the neoes-
sary steps are being taken to bring
about their exchange.
Under Cover of Darkness.
Lieutenant Hobson started on his
daring errand at 3 o'clock this morn.
ing. The Merrimac was lying to the
westward. Under cover of the clouds
over the moon she stole in towards the
coast and made her way to tho east.
ward followed by steam launch from
the New York, with the following
crew on board: Naval Cadet J. w.
Powell of Oswego, N. Y; P. K. Peter.
son, coxswain; H. Handford, appren.
tice of the first class; ]. Mullings, coal
passer; G. L. Russell, machinist of the
second class. In the launch were
bandages and appliances for the
wounded.
From the crowded decks Of the New
York nothing could be seen of the
Merrimac after she had got under the
shadow of the hills. For half an hour
officers and men strained their eyes
peeriug into the gloom, when suddenly
the flash Of a gun streamed out from
Moro castle and then all on board
the New York knew the Merrimac was
nearing her end. The
Guns From the Spanish Battery
opposite Moro castle answered quickly
with more flashes and for about twenty
minutes flashes of fire seemed to lean
acress the harbor entrance. The flag
ship was too far away to hear the re.
ports, and when the firing ceased it
was judged that Hobson had blown up
the Merrimac. For an hour the anx-
ious watchers waited for daylight.
Rear Admiral Sampson and Captain
Chadwick were on the bridge of the
New York throughout. At b o'clock
thin streaks Of smoke were seen against
the western shore, quite close to the
Spanish batteries, and strong glasses
made out the launch of the New York
returning to the flagship. Scarcely
had the small craft been sighted when
q puff Of smoke issued from the battery
on the western arm of the harbor, and
a shot plunged far over the launch.
Then for 15 minutes the big guns
ashore kept up an irregular fire on the
little launch. As the shells fell with.
out hitting the object they were intend.
ed for, the men on board the New
York
Leered at the Spanish M.rkmanship
and cheered their shipmates At s:l5
q. m. the launch came alongside the
flagship, but she did not have ON board
any of the crew of the Merrimac.
Cadet Powell reported that he had
been unable to see any signs of the
Merrimac's crow. It developed that
with great bravery tho cadet had gone
right under the batteries and only re-.
turned when all hope of taking on
board the crew of the Merrimao had to
be abandoned.
Cadet Powell also reported that he
had clearly seen the Merrimac's masts
sticking up just where Hobson had
hoped to sink her. north Of the Es.
trella battery, and we'll past the guns
of Moro castle.
But of the heroes who had penned
the Spaniards in there was not sound
nor q sign.
SIGHTED NEAR HONOLULU.