The Monticellonian., 1898-06-17
ADDISON CONPIINENIED.
Official Report of the Sinking of the Merrimac at Santiago from
 Admiral Sampson.
ROBSON WORKED OUT ALL THE DETAILS.
That is Why He was Permitted to Carry ehe Project Into Execution No Refleo- tion on Commander Miller, Who Re iuetantis Retinquished His Command to the Gallant Seven.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-The navy de- pertinent posted the following bulletin, giving detailed official report from Admiral Sampson upon the heroism of Lieut. liohson and his men in sinking the Mefrinae in the Santiago channel: ! UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP NEW YORK,
 OFF SANTIAGO. June 3. ls98.
 Permit me to call your special at ention to Assistant Naval Con, tructor HobS0n. As stat @d in special telegram before coming here, ] decided te make the harbor entrance se- cure against the possibility Of egress by spanish ships by obstructiHg the narrow part ot the entrance by sinking q collier at that point Upon calling upon Mir Hgbson for his professional opinion as to sure method of sinking the ship he manifested the most lively lntesest ia the problem. After several days consideration he presented a solution which he considered would insure the immediate sinking of the ship when she reached She desired point in the channel This plan we prepared for execution when we reached Santiago The plan contemplated crew Of only seven men and Mr. Hobson, who begged that Il might be intrusted to him. The anchor chains were arranged on deck for both the anchors forward ant aft the plan including the anchoriug of the ship almost automatically. AS soon as 1 reached Santiago and l had the 2oliier to work upon, the details were com pleted and diligently prosecuted, hoping to complete them i'll one day as, the moon and tide served best the first night att r our arrival Notwithstanding the hour of four o'clock in the morning arrived and preparation was scarcely completed. after careful iu- sPoetion of the final pr parations, 1 was forced to EaIia4ai~h ths plan for that morn ing as dawn Was breakiHs Alr Hobsou begged to try ii at all hazards This morning proved more prapiti0u, and il prompt start was made Nothing could have been more gallantly executed. Nc waited impatientIY afler the ir- ing hY the snaHlards had ceased When they did not reaPPear from the harb8r ae six o'clock l feared that they had all perished. steam launch which had been sent in charge of Naval Cadet Powell. t8 rescue the mon. appeared at this lime coming out under persistent fire Of the batteries but brought none of the crew \ careful inspec- tion of the harbor from the shIp shoWed that the vessel Merrmac had been sunk In the chan mel This afternoon the chief Of st4d Of Ad- mral GerYert came out, under q als of truce with jet CT from the admiral exfoHiug the bravery of the crew in unusual manner. l etn not mFzet tee earnestly express n4F appre- ,iatlou af Che conduct of Mr Ha8soa and his gallant crew
 l venture to say that more brave auddaring thing has Lot been done since Cushing blew up sbe AfbaaHtfe
 Referring b 1he inspiring letter which you addressed ta the officers at the beginning ef he war 1 am sire You will offer suitable pro fess'ohal reward t7 Mr Hobson aud his com panious.
 must add that Commander J. N. Miller re- hnqulshed his command With the very greatest reluctance. believing Inc would retain his com mand under all circumstances He was, how ever, finally convinced that the attempt of an- other person to carry out the null titude of details which had been in preparation by Mir Hobson might endau- ger Us proper execution I, therefore. took the liberty to relieve him for this reason only. There were hundreds Of volunteers who were anxious t0 participate. There were i5g from the Iowa nearly as many from the New York and large numbers from all the other ships, officers and men alike.
 Signed ". T. SAMPSON.