Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-06-11

| w OTCd.
Replying to ysur telegram, Lieut..
| HobsOn and his men are well. They
are also we'll cared for by the authori-
ties. have myself just seen him.
RAMsDEN,
British Consul.
OFFICIAL REPORT MERRIMAC INCIDENT
WARRINGTON, June 1.-THE Navy
Department today posted the following
bulletin giving the detailed official re-
port, from Admiral Sampson, upon the
heroism of Lieut. Hobson and his men
In sinking the Nerrimac in the Santiago
channel:
United States Flagship, off Santiago,
June 3, 1898. Permit me to call your
special attention to Assistant Naval
Constructor HobSOn. AS stated in a
special telegram before coming here,
was ordered to make the harbor en-
trance secure against any possibility of
egress, by the Spanish ships, by OBJ
structing the narrow part of the en-
trance by sinking a collier at that
point.
Upon calling upon Mr.. Hobson for
his professional opinion as to sure
method of sinking the ship, he mani
tested the most lively interest in the
problem. After several days OF con-
sideration he presented solution
which he considered would insure the
immediate sinking of a ship when she
reached the desired point in the channel.
This plan we prepare for execu tien
contemplated crew of only sevel me1
T. - hA i<xb
be entrusted to him. The anchor
chains were arranged on deck for both
anchors forward and aft, the plan in
cluding the anchoring Of the ship al
most automatically. AS soon as /
reached Santiago, and had a collier to
work upsn, the details were completed
and diligently prosecuted, hoping to
ON plete 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
arrived, and our preparations were
scarcely completed.
After careful inspection of the final
preparations, was forced to relin-
quish the plan for that morning, as
dawn was breaking. Hobson begged
to try it at all hazards. This morning
proved more prepitious, SO prompt
start was made. Nothing could have
been more gallantly executed. We
waited impatiently after the firing by
the Spanisrds had ceased. When they
did not re-appear from the harbor, |
feared they had all perished The
steam launch, which I had sent in
charge Of Naval Cadet Powell, to res>
cue the men, appeared at this time
coming out under persistent fire from
the batteries, but brought none OF the
crew A careful inspection Of the har-
Dor, from the ship, showed that the
vessel Merrimac had been sank in the
channel.
This afternoon the Chief of Staff of
Admiral Cervera, came out under q
flag of truce with letter from the
Admiral extolling the bravery OF the
crew in an unusual manner. / cannot
myself too earnestly express my ap.
probation of the conduct of Mr.. Hob
son and his gallant crew; 1 venture to
say more brave and daring thing has
not been done since Cushing blew up
the Albemarle.
Referring to the inspiring letter,
which was addressed to officers 1t the
beginning of war, am sure you will
offer suitable professional reward to
Mr.. Hobson and his companions. /
must add that Commander j. N. Miller
relinquished his command with the
very greatest reluctance, believing he
should retain his command under all
circumstances He was, however
finally convinced that the attempt OF
another person TO carry out the multi
tude of details, which had been In prep
aration by Mr.. Hobson, might endangel
its proper execution, l therefore tool
the liberty to relieve him for this reason
only. There were hundreds of volun-
teers who were anxious to participate
there were 100 men in the crew, nearl!
a. many from this ship, and large mum
bers from all other ships, officers ant
men alike. (Signed)
w. T. SAMSON.
VALUABLE PRIVATE INFORMATION.
KEY WEST, Fla, June 10. - G. K
; Ajevado, who was fer twelve years
resident of San Juan, Port Rico !
thoroughly in favor of the Unitel
States taking possession of Porto Rtc
at once. He said to a representative
Of the Associated Press today: ~
!, United States expedition can lam
l where IL pleases. except in the neigh
borhood of San Juan. The best bsrbo