Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-06-15
SIMPSONS TRIBUTE.
Admiral Makes Official Report on
the Sinking of the COL
Iiar MerrinaC

Washington, D. c., June 1.-THE navy
department today posted the following
bulletin giving a detailed official report
from Admiral Sampson upon the heroism
of Lieut.. Hobson and his men in sinking
the Merrimac in the Santiago channel:
United States flagship New York, off
Santiago, June 3, 1S9S.-Permit me to call
your special attention to Assistant Naval
Constructor Hobson. AS statedin special
telegram, before coming here, L decided
to make the harbor entrance secure
against the possibility of egress by Span
lsh ships by obstructing the narrow part
Of the entrance by sinking a collier at
that point. Upon calling upon Mr.. Hob
son for his professional opinion as TO
sure method of sinking the ship, he mani
tested the most lively interest in the prob
lem. After several days consideration
he presented a solution which he cOnsid-
cred would insure the immediate sinking
OF the ship when she reached the desired
point in the channel. This plan we pre-
pared for execution when we reached
Santiago. The plan contemplated crew
of only seven men and Mr.. HobsOn, who
begged that it might be entrusted to him.
The anchor chains were arranged on deck
for both the anchors, forward and aft,
the plan including the anchoring OF the
ship almost automatically.
AS soon as L reacnGu santiago anu
had the collier to work upon the details
were completed and diligently prosecuted
hoping to complete them in one day, as
the moon and tide served best the first
night after our arrival. Notwithstanding,
the hour of 4 o'clock in the morning ar
rived, and preparation was scarcely COM
pleted. After a careful inspection of the
final preparations | was forced to rclln-
Quish the plan for that morning, as dawn
was breaking. Mr.. Hobson begged to try
it at all hazards.
This morning proved more propiti0us
as prompt start could be made. Nothing
could have been more CALAMITY eXecu.cd.
We waited impatiently after the firing by
the Spaniards had ceased. When the
men did not reappear from the harbor at
6 o'clock | feared that they had all per-
ished. \ steam launch which had been
sent in in charge of Naval Cadet Powell
to rescue the men, appeared at this time
coming out under persistent fire Of the
batteries, but brought none of the crew.
A careful inspection of the harbOr from
this ship showed that the vessel Merrimac
had been sunk in the channel.
This afternoon the chief Of staff Of
Admiral Cervera came out under a flag OF
truce with a letter from the admiral, eX-
tolling the bravery of the crew in an I'M
usual manner.
Il cannot myself too earnestly express
my appreciation of the conduct Of NJ.
HObsOn and mis- gallant crew | venture
to say that more brave and daring thing
has not been done since Gushing blew up
the Albemarle.
referring to the inspiring letter which
you addressed to the officers at the be-
ginning of the war, | am sure you will Of
fer a suitable professional reward u Mr..
Hobson and his companions.
Il must add that Commander !. NJ.
Miller relinquished his command with the
hp1i bn
would retain his command under all cir
cumstances. He was, however, finally
convinced that the attempt of another
person to carry out the multitude Of de-
tails which had been IN preparation by
Mr.. Hobson might endanger its proper
execution. | therefore took the liberty
to relieve him for this reason only. There
were hundreds of volunteers who were
anxious participate; there were $50 from
the Iowa, nearly as many from this ship,
and large numbers from all the other
ships, officers and men alike.
"W. 7. Sampson"
Secretary Long was at the navy de-
partment today for the first time since he
was overtaken by lameness about ten
days ago. For a man who has suffered
such physical pain the secretary looked
remarka bly, we'll and entered with zest
upon his duties, although he was unable
to move about actively. When asked
what the department proposed to do in
reference to Simpsons graceful sugges-
ton that Hobson and his men be profess
siOnaIy rewarded for their brave exploit
in sinking the Merrimac, the secretary
said that he had already telegraphed Ad-
miral Sampson to recommend formally to
the department just what measures of
advancement he deemed fitting. This is
the usual course, he not being so well
prepared is the commanding officer to
judge of the merits of the men and the
difficulties of their performances. No fur
Their report has been received from the
admiral.
The naval record today contained for
the first time in an informal shape the or
der advancing Dewey's captains for their
conduct at the battle of Manila bay.