The record-union., 1898-06-06
Porter, there, tell the Merrimac to re

ter 5 SIuOkeSldckS, ana the dark HlIe
craft darted toward the shore. BY
that time darkness had quite disap-
peared, and quickly as the fast torpedo
boat tore through the water it seemed
as if she would never head off the Mer-
rimac.
At last, when under the range of the
guns of the Spaniards, the Porter
crossed the Merrimac's bows, and
sigh Of relief went up from the eager
watchers, for they thought it was sure
death for Hobson to venture in at that
hour.
Some time after ) O'Clock the Porter
came tearing back, and the Merrimac,
to every ones surprise, kept her posi-
ton.
Admiral Sampson, Captain Chad
wick and Lieutenant Staunton could
not understand until Lieutenant Ere
mont. from the deck of the torpedo
boat, shouted: Lieutenant Hobson
asks permission to continue on his
course. He thinks he can make it"
But in stern tones the Admiral sent
Hobson a message to the effect that
the Merrimac must return at once, and
in due course of time the doomed col
lier' slowly steamed back. her COM
mander evidently disappointed with
the order received from the Admiral
through the commander of the Porter,
Hobson's figure standing out vividly
on the lonely bridge of the Merrimac
All day yesterday the collier lay near
the flagship, and more elaborate prep
arations were made to carry out the
mission of the Merrimac successfully
During these preparations Hobson
was tireless, cool and confident, super
vising personally every little detail
When finally Hobson went on board
the Merrimac last night he had been
without sleep since Wednesday morn
ing. His uniform was begrimed, his
hands Were black. and he looked like 4
man who had been hard at work in an
engine room for a long time.
AS he said good-by the Lieutenant re-
marked that his only regret was thai
all of the New York's volunteers could
not go with him.
When the Merrimac started yester
day morning on the trip for which she
was recalled she had on board of her
two men who had no right to be there.
They We're Assistant Engineer Crank Of
the Merrimac, and Boatswain Mullin
of the New York who had been work
ing on the collier all day.
These two men refused to leave the
ship, and as their disobedience was of
the nature which produced CushinSs
and Farraguts for the American navy,
it was not officially recognized.
The spirit shown by the men and
officers of the fleet in connection with
the Merrimacs expedition is really
grand and beyond being merely ex-
pressed in words.
n,
imagine the immense feeling of salts
faction experienced when it became
known that Hobson and the crew Of
the Merrimac were safe Later in the
day a boat with a white flag put out
from the harbor, and Captain Ovideo,
the Chief of Staff of Admiral Cervera,
boarded the New York and informed
the Admiral that the whole of the party
had been captured, and that only two
of them had been injured Lieutenant
Hobson had not been injured 1t ap-
pears that the Spanish Admiral was 50
struck with the courage of the Mer-
rimac's crew that he decided to inform
Admiral Sampson that they had not
lost their lives but were prisoners of
war and could be exchanged.
The dingy portion Of the programme
does not appear to have been carried
out, which leads to the belief that she
may have been smashed by a shot for
Hobson's men drifted ashore on an old
catamaran, which had been slung over
the Merrimac's side at the last mo-
ment as an extra precautiOn. They
were captured and sent to Santiago
under guard, previous to being trans
ferred to MORO Castle, where they
are now known to be confined.
Money and provisions We're sent to
the prisoners through Captain Ovideo
and it is believed Rear Admiral Samp-
son is taking the steps necessary to
bring about their exchange.
The fleet tonight is in a state of
delight and excitement and the Admiral
is just as happy as the youngest sail
or. The general opinion is that no
man ever deserved recognition for
personal bravery more than does
Lieutenant Hobson.
Cadet Powell who was the last man
to see Lieutenant Hobson before his
start and who had charge of the launch
during its perilous trip, after a much
needed sleep, told the story of his cN-
perience. He said: Lieutenant Hob
son took a short sleep for a few hours,
which was often interrupted. At a.
-
a formal inspection, giving his last ir-
structons. Then we had a little lunch
Hobson was as cool as a cucumber At
about 2:30 O'Clock l took the men who
were not going on the trip into the
launch and started for the Texas, the
nearest ship, but had to go back for
one of the assistant engineers, whom
Hobson was finally compelled to leave.
| shook hands with Hobson last Of all
He aaid Powell, watch the boats crew
when Well out Of the harbor. We Will
be cracks, rowing thirty strokes to the
minute
After leaving the Texas / saw the
Merrimac steaming slowly in. 1t was
only fairly dark then and the shore
was quite visible. We followed about
three-quarters of mile astern. The
Merrmac stood about mile to the
bit mixed, turning completely around
and finally heading to the east she ran
down and then turned in. We We're then
chasing him, because Lieutenant Hob
son had lost his bearings. When Hob
son was about 200 yards from the har-
Dor the first gun was fired from the
east bluff.
I'VE We're then about a half mile off
shore and nearing the batteries The
firing increased rapidly. We steamed
in slowly and to the right Of the Mar-
rimac in the smoke which was carried
off shore. Before Hobson could have
blown up the Merrimac the western
battery picked us out and commenced
firing They shot wildly however aud