Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-06-10
FAME FOR HOBSON AND CREW
HOW THEY SUNK MERR1MAC.
s., ,h.. Face of the Guns ON the Span
t.h battery Opposite MORO Cas-
,,. in the Harb0r of Santiago dc
cuha-The story In Full.

off Santiago de Cuba. June 3.-The
Nerrimac had on board 600 tons of Goa
when she was scuttled across the chan
neL
Lieutenant Hobson started on his dar
inc GRAND at 3 o'clock this morning. The
Nerrimac was lying to the westward
/. Under cover of the clouds over the moon
she stole toward the coast, made her way
10 the eastward, followed by launch
from the New York with the following
crew on board: Naval Cadet j. W. Pow
eli of Oswego, N. Y; p. X. Peterson,
roxwain; H. Haldford, apprentice OF the
first class; J. Mullings, coal passer; G.
l. Russell, machinist of the second class.
. In the launch were bandages and appli-
ances for the wounded.
batteries Turned Loose.
From the crowded decks of the New
York nothing could be seen Of the Mer-
rnac after she had got under the shad-
ows Of the hills. For half an hour Of
tcers and men strained their eyes peering
into the gloom when suddenly, the flash
of gun streamed out from Moro castle
and then the New York knew the Mer-
rimac was nearing her end.
The guns from the Spanish battery
opposite Moro castle answered quickly
with more flashes and for about 70 mill
utes flashes of fire seemed to leap across
the harbor entrance. The flagship was
too far away to hear the reports and
when the firing ceased it was judged that
Hobson had blown up the Merrimac. For
an hour the anxious watchers waited tor
daylight. Rear Admiral Sampson and
Captain Chadwick were on the bridge Of
the New York throughout.
At 5 o'clock thin streams OF smoke were
seen against the western shore quite close
to the Spanish batteries and strong glass
es made out the launch of the New York
returning to the flagship. Scarcely had
the small craft been sighted before
puff of smoke issued from a battery on
the western arm of the harbor and shot
plunged far over the launch. Then tor
Is minutes the big guns on the coast kept
up an irregular fire on the little launch.
Had Gone Under the Guns.
At 6:l5 a. III. the launch came along
side the flagship but she did not have on
board any of the crew of the Merr'mac'
Cadet Powell reported that he had been
unable to see any sign of the Merrlmac
crew. 1t developed that with great BRAY
ery the crew had gone right under the
batteries and only returned when nope
OF taking on board the crew OF the Mer-
rimac had to be abandoned.
Cadet Powell also reported he had
clearly seen the Merrimac's mast sticking
up lust where Hobson hoped to sink her
north of the Estrella battery and well
past the guns of Moro castle.
But of the heroes who had penned the
Spaniards in there was not sound or a
sign. Rear Admiral Sampson said: i
am pretty sure the attempt was quite sue
cessiul. l hope all those brave fellows
are not captured"
Cadet Powell believed the torpedoes
previously fixed aboard the Merrlmaf
were exploded as planned, as Lieutenant
Hobson was we'll up the harbor before the
Spaniards opened fire on the Merr'mac'
What actually happened on the Merri
mac can best be judged from what Lieu
tenant Hobson said just before leaving
the flagship.
He said: 81 shall go right into The
harbor until about 400 yards past the
Estrella battery, which is behind More
castle. l do not think they can sink III
before reach somewhere near that point
The Merrimac has 1000 buoyancy and
shall keep her full speed ahead. She cal
make about 10 knots.
when the narrowest part OF the chan
mel is reached l shall put her helm hare
aport stop her engines, drop the anchors
open the sea connections, touch OIL tn
torpedoes and leave the Merrimac
wreck lying athwart the channel, whicI
Is not as broad as the Merrimac is long
There are 10 s-inch improvised torpedoe
below the water line on the Merrlmae
port side. They are placed on her sid
against the bulkheads and vital spots
connected with each other by wire un
der the ships keel. Each torpedo con
tans 80 pounds of gunpowder. Each tor
pedo is also connected with the brldg
and they should do their work in min
ute and it will be quick work even
aone IN minute and quarter.
ION deck there will be four men AM
myself. In the engine room there will b
TWO other men. This is total crew an
all OF us will be in our undertaking
~lth revolvers and ammunition in water
nsht packing strapped around our waists
Forward there will be man on deck an
around his waist will be line, the othe
eha OF the line being made fast to tn
ondge on which twill stand. By tina
mans side will he an ak. When | sto
.he engine I will jerk the cord and wi
mus give the signal to cut the lashin
"nich will cut the forward anchor. II
VIII then Jump overheard and swim to tn
.our-oared dingy which we shall toy
" "S'ern' The dingy is full of life buoy
anu Is unsuitable. In it are rifles. 1t
~ oe held by two ropes one made fas
a. her bow and one at her stern. TIL
Hst man tn roo oh bor Mill haul in III