New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12
LIEUTENANT HOBSON'S EXPLOIT.
AN OFFICIAL REPORT BY ADMIRAL sAMf-
son on THE SINKING OF THE
MERRINAC

Washington. June 1.-THE Navy Department
to-day made public the following detailed Official
report from Admiral sampson on the heroism 81
Lieutenant Hobsor and his mer in sinking the
Merrimac in the channel AT Santiago:
United States Flagship New York.
or Santiago June 3. 1898
Permit me 10 call your special attention 70
Aeeis;ant Naval Constructor Hobson. As stated
I'm a special telegram. before coming mere pt-
cldcd 10 make the haroor entrance Se,uIc
arainst the fiosr!bity ~ sgress by spanish phils
hv obsfructlng the narrow part OF the entrance
hy sinking collier at that point Upon caliihs
upon Mr. HObs0n for his professional oplhloh a.
to a sure method Of sinking the snip. ne mani
ise,ed the most lively interest IN the problem
Ar,er several days of consideration ~" lI'-
scented IL solution which he considered "ouid N
stire the immediate sinking Il the snip when rh'
reached the desired point in Inc chanh'. ms
plan we prepared for execution when We reached
Santiago. The plan contemplated "A ere" OF
only seven men and Mr. Hohson. VINO p'Eb'u
~, 4, might be inirustcd 20 him The anchor
chains were arranged on deck FOR both the an
chore forward and aft. the plan including Inc
archoring OF the ship almost Automatically.
As soon as reached Santiago and had the
collier 10 work upon. the details were completed
and diligently prosecuted. hoping to complete
hesf the first night after our arrived Notwith-
standing every effort. the hour of 1 O'Clock IN
the morning arrived, and the PREPARATION was
scarcely completed After careful Inspection
OF The final preparation, ! vas forced TO re
linquish the plan for that morning. az dawn was
breaking Mr.. HObsOn begged 10 Try IL ~ "'
hazards.
This morning proved more propitious. as
prompt start could be made. Nothing could
have boon more CALAMITY executed We waited
fupatle,tly after the firing Of the Spanards hhd
ceased when they did not reappear from the
harbor at o'clock. | feared that they mad all
persisted \ Steam launch which had been sent
in charge OF Naval Cadet Powell to rescue the
men appeared at this time. coming out unher
persistent fire Of the batteries but brought none
81 the crew careful Inspection OF the harbor
from this ship showed that the vessel Merriinac
had been sunk In the channel
This afternoon the chief OF stan or Admiral
Ceryera came out under a flag OF truce. with
letter from the Admiral cx;olling The bravery
Of the crew in an unusual manner
cannot myself too earnestly express my APP
nrcciat,on OF the conduct Of Mr.. Hobson ana MS
rallaut crew / venture TO say that more
brave and daring thing has not been done since
Cushing blew UP the Albcnarle
Referring to the inspiring letter which you
addressed TO the officers at the beginning OF tho
war am sure you VIII OFFER suitable profes-
sjonnl reward 10 Mr.. Hohson and his cofnpah-
long I must add that Commander j. NJ Mi'ier
relincuished his command with the greatest re-.
Iuctance believing he would retain his COMMAND
under all circumstances. Ee was. however,
finally convinced that the attempt or anolhsr
nerson TO carry out the multitude OF details
which had been In preparation by MT hoDsoh
might endanger It's proper execution 'he'e-
Core took the liberty to relieve him for This fea-
CON oniv There were hundreds Of volunteers
who were anxious TO participate: there were loo
from the Iowa nearly as many from THIS snip
and large numbers from all the other ships, oiii-
GERS and men alike. w. ]. ShMr"C.>'