The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08

M, via Port Antonio Jamaica, June 4, per
the Associated Press Dispatch Boat Daunt-
less.-(Delayed in transmission.)-The fol-
lowing is detailed story of the act of hero
ism perform ed by Lieut.. Richmond P. Hob
son and his seven companions in sinking
the collier Merrimac across the channel
leading into the harbor of Santiago de
Cuba:
The Spanish fleet is now helpless, being
held captive in Santiago de Cuba harbor.
The narrow charmed leading into the harbor
was completely blocked early this morning,
when the United States collier Merrimac
was sunk across it's entrance. 1t is now
impossible for the Spaniards to get out, and
1T is equally impossible for any vessel to
get into the harbor. Therefore, the Spanish
first-class armored cruisers Maria Teresa,
Cristobal Colon, Vizcaya and Almrante
Oquendo, with the two torpedo boat de-
stroyers Furor and Pluton, are no longer
or any use to Spain. This result was ac-
complished through the heroism of Lieut..
Richmond p. Hobson, assistant naval con-
structor, and Daniel Montague, George
Charette, j. c. Murphy Oscar Deignan,
John P. Phillips, John Kelly and II.
Glausen. The latter, coxswain of the
New York, took part in the expedition
against orders. They were all captured by
the Spanish; but the Spanish admiral, in
recognition Of their bravery, sent word 20
the American admiral under a flag of
truce, that he was willing to exchange the
prisoners, and assuring the American COM
mander that they would be treated with the
greatest kindness Money and provisions
nave been sent to them, and the necessary
steps are being taken to bring about their
exchange.
MORE ABOUT THE MEN.
montague is chief master at arms Of the
New York, He has served four wears in
the navy. is 20 years of age and his home
is in Brooklyn
N'eorge Charette is gunners mate Of
the first class on board the New York. He
mas served IA years in the navy, is 81 years
DID, and resides at Lowell, Mass.
,. =. Murphy is coxswain of the Iowa.
Oscar Deignan Is a coxswain of the Mer-
rlmac, and is about "a years old.
John p. Phillips is machinist of the first
class, belonging to the Merrimac. He is sc
years of age, and his home is in Boston.
john Kelly is water tender about IS
years OF age His home is near Glasgow.
H. Clausen, who slipped on board the
Merrimac without permission, in order to
take part in the expedition. is coxswain
Lieut.. Richmond Pearson Hobson, assist
ant naval constructor. was born at Green's
b bero Ala. On Aag: II, 1870 was appointed
naval academy in May 1885. He was the
youngest member Of his class but gradual
ed at the head of his eighteen companions
He has studied engineering under the
auspices OF the United States government
in France and was made assistant naval
semi-poltical work entitled. The Situa-
ton and Outlook In Europe" and was
Admiral Sampson sailed for the West
Indies.
Lieut.. Hobson is a nephew of John M.
Morehead, North Carolina, and is a grand
ION of Chief Justice Pearson of that state.
He Is unmarried and his father, Judge
James N. Hobson. lives at Greensboro, Ala.
The three men from the Merrmacs crew
were all green hands and shipped recently
tor the wal.
coal when she was scuttied across the
channel.
AN EARLY START.
Lieut. Hobson started on his daring err
rand at 3 O'Clock in the morning. The Mer-
rimac was lying to the westward. Under
cover of the clouds over the moon she
way to the eastward. followed by steam
| launch from the New York with the fol
| lowing crew on board: Naval Cadet J. w
| coxswain; H. landlord, apprentice of the
| tirst-class; J: Mullings,. coal passer; G. l.
| Russell, machinist of the second-class.
| In the launch were banoages and ap.
| planes 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
| tneir eyes peerlnS INTO the gloom, when
suddenly the flash Of gun streamed ou
| from Moro castle and then all on boart
the New, York knew the Merrmac wa.
nearing her end The guns from the Span
ish battery opposite Moro Castle answered
quickly with more flashes, and for abou
| twenty minutes flashes OF fire seemed t.
| leap across the harbOr entrance
| The flagship was too far away to hea
the reports and when the firing ceased /
was judged that Hobson had blown up tn;
Merrimac. E'or an hour the anxious watch
ers waited for daylight. Rear Admra
Sampson and Captain Chadwick were on tn
bridge of the New York throughout.
At o'clock thin streaks of smoke wer
seen on the western shore quite close Il
the Spanish batteries and strong glasse
made out the launch of the New York re
turning to the flagship. Scarcely had tn
smoke issued from the battery on the west
ern arm of the harbor and a shot plunged
far over the launch. Then. for fifteen min
utes, the big guns ashore kept up an ir
regular fire on the little launch AS tn
| shells fell without hitting the object the,
were Intended for the men an board tn
| manship and cheered their ship.
At 6:l5 a. m. the launch came alongside thu
flagship: but she did not have on board an,
of the crew of the. Merriinac. Cadet Powei
reported that he had been unable to Sc
any sings of the Merr.mac's crew. 1t ha
developed that with great bravery the cade
returned when all hope of taking on boart
| the crew of the Merrlmac had to be aband
Oned.
Cadet Powell also reported that he hat
clearly seen the Merrimacs masts sticking
| up just where Hobson hoped to sink her
north of the Estrella battery and well pas
| who lad penned the Spaniards in Their,
| Was st a sound or sign.
| Rear Admiral Sampson said: II pref
" sure the attempt was quite successful
| tured."
Cadet Powell believes the torpedoes pre-
/ FIVE hon f1,a Nov