The record-union., 1898-06-05

the escape OF the torpedo boats that
might be able to pass over the Mer-
rimac's hull. OF course it must be re-
membered that there are drawbacks
to the present situation, for while the
Spaniards cannot get out, our ships
cannot get in the harbor, and any land
attack upon Santiago would be made
at great disadvantage for lack of the
support of the American fleet.
The Merrimacs complement of Off
GERS consisted of Commander J. M.
Miller, Lieutenant w. w. Gilmore. ex-
ecutive officers; Ensigns J.. r. Y.
Blakeley and Assistant Engineer r. +.
Crank. Miller is from Missouri Gill
more from Virginia, Blakeley from
Pennsylvania, Luby and Crank from
Texas. 1t is expected that reports will
soon be received from Admiral Samp-
son which will give details Of the Mer-
rimacs destruction and the names of
the eight men who have been captured
The Merrimac was purchased by the
Government of the Lone Star Steam
ship Company, and the transfer was
made in Brooklyn in April. She was
formerly the Norwegian steamer Sol
veid, and was nearly desaroyed by fire
in 1896. She was built at Newcastle,
England, in 1894, was $50 feet long,
A feet beam, and had a net register of
>, 1913 tons. The Merrimac left Norfolk
where she was fitted for Government
purposes, about month ago.
REPORT FROM SAMPSON.
WASHINGTON, June 4.-The Navy
Department has posted the following
bulletin: The Navy Department at 3
o'clock received the following dispatch:
Mole, Hayti-Succeeded in sinking
Merrimac in the channel of Santiago
at p. M, June Sd. This was carried
out most gallantly under the command
of Naval Constructor Hobson and
seven men. By flag Of truce from the
Spanish Admiral, Cervera, sent in re-
cognition of their bravery, l am in
formed that all are prisoners of war,
two slightly wounded. Request author
ity to approve exchange, if possible,
between these and prisoners at Atlanta.
Six of the Spanish squadron in the har-
Dor of Santiago unable to avoid being
captured or destroyed.
MERRIMAC'S CREW TO BE RE-
WARDED.
WASHINGTON, June At is now
known that the Navy Department
about ten days ago was considering
a plan for closing the harbor at San
tiago very similar in general scope
to that apparently put into execution
yesterday. 1t was proposed to get two
large hulkS or ScOWS and I'LL them with
big powders such as could be easily
obtained in the neighborhood of New
York. They We're to be laShed on the
side of a tug and run into the harbor
and at the proper point were to be
scuttled. Provisions We're to be made
for the safety of the crew by attach
ing to the tug a torpedO-boat stern
foremost. At the proper moment the
crew were to go aboard the torpedo
boat. scuttle the hulks by an electrical
contrivance, and cutting loose from
the hulkS, make rush for liberty and
the open sea There are sayings that
yesterdays project was a development
of this idea. Probably the plan of TAX
ing in scows was rejected on account
of waiting for such craft to be
brought from New York The hulk
could be blown up by the use of dy-
Mantle charges, which would not be
difficult to place in the shallow water
where the Merrimac lies, for the re-
ports say the top of the funnel is above
water, indicating depth Of about forty
or fifty feet: but it is believed that the
wreck lies in sight from the sea, and it
is thought that Sampson will post
heavy ironcladS in such a position as
to be able to command the site with
their heavy guns, and prevent the
Spanish wreckers from working. At
night something might be accomplished
by the wreckers, but even that work
would be full. of danger.
Substantial promotion is in store for
the gallant men who took the Merrimac
i'll, according to the statement of one
of the officials competent to speak on
this subject, and to pledge the Navy
Department. When they get out of
their Spanish prisons they will profit
by this in the shape Of advance in
numbers and in rating, which means
money. How soon that will be cannot
be told at present. The Department
SO far as known, holds no Spanish
prisoners Of war of rank. Colonel Cor
tijo and the Spanish surgeon who was
captured with him have been surren-
dered in exchange for a couple of news
paper men. There now remain of pris-
oEerS of war only two or three private
soldiers at Fort Mcpherson, and it
cannot be expected that these can be
exchanged for the American officers
who were on the Merrimac They are
therefore likely to remain prisoners in
Santiago until Sampson captures more
Spanish officers of equal rank and en-
listed men to the same number as the
Merrimac's little crew.
The Yale. which arrived at Newport
News yesterday, is to receive a more
powerful battery than she started with
TRANSPORTS SAILING.