Willmar tribune., 1898-06-07
DEED OF HEROES
Detailed Story Of the Sinking
of the Merrimac in SAM
tiago Harbor.
Hobson and His Seven COM
panIons Faced Almost
Certain Death.
RESCUERS IN A LAUNCH
Naval Cadet Powell and Crew
Under Fire Of the Span
ish Batteries.
Only Returned to the Fleet
When Hope of Rescue
Was Gone.

Was Gone.
On Board the Associated Press Dis
patch Boat Dauntless, off Santiago de
Cuta, June 3--(Via Port Antonio,
Jamaica, June 4. 1.-THE following is a
delayed story Of the act of heroism 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
it 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. c.
Murphy. Osborn Diegnan, George Phil
ipps, Francis Kelly and Randolph
Clauson. The latter, 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 flag Of truce that he was will
ing to exchange the prisoners and as
suring the American commander that
they would be treated with the great
est kindness. Money and provisions
have been sent to them, and the neces-
sary steps are being taken to bring
about their exchange.
Under Cover of Darkness.
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 in towards the
coast and made he + way to the east.
ward followed by steam launch IRON
the New York, with the following
crew on board: Naval Cadet J. w.
Powell of Oswego, N. Y; P. Z. Peter.
son, co1swain; a. Handford, appren-
tice Of the first class; J. Mullings, coal
passer; G. l. Russell, machinist of the
second class. In the launch were
bandages and appliances for the
wounded
From tho crowded decks of the New
York nothing could be seen of the
Merrlmac after she had got under the
shadow of the hills. For half an hour
officers and men strained their eyes
peering into the gloom, when suddenly
the flash Of 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 leap
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.
1ous watchers waited for daylight
Rear Admiral Sampson and Captain
Chadwick were on the bridge Of the
New York throughout. At 5 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
puff Of smoke issued from the battery
on the western arm of the harbor, and
q shot plunged far over the launch.
Then for Is minutes the big guns
ashore kept up an irregular fire OH the
little launch As the shells fell with.
out hitting the object they were intend
ed tor, the men on board the New
York
Leersd ut the Spanish M.vkmanshtp
and cheered their shipmates. At STA
L. m the launch came alongside the
flagship, but she did not ha We on board
any of tine crew Of the Merrimac.
cadet Powell reported that he had
been unable to see any signs Of the
Merrimac's crew. 1t developed tina,
with great bravery tho cadet had gone
Dghr under the batteries and only re,
turned when all hope Of taking on
board the crew Of the Merrimac had &c
be abandoned -
Cadet Powell also reported that be
had clearly seen the Merrimac's masrs
sticking up just where Hobson had
hoped to sink her. north Of the Es.
trella battery. and well past the guns
of Moro castle. r.. ~:*5
But Of the heroes who had penned
the Spaniards in there wasnoe sound
nor sign III. :=
BumsRed Hsrrsa1x IL Ass.ssiDated b
CAPE HAYI1Ex, Hsyti, June 6-It il