The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-09
WITH SHOT AND SHELL
HOW HEROES OF THE MERRIMAC
WE'RE GREETED
Naval Constructor Hobson Relates
All That Happened on the Event.
full Morning When the Attempt
to Sink the Herrtmac In the Cham
mel Leading to Santiago Harbcr
Was Made.

Copyrighted by the Associated Press
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July 7. via
Kingston, July S.-The return Of Assistant
Naval Constructor Richmond p. Hobson, of
Merrimac fame, to his ship, the flagship New
York, was marked by wild. enthusiasm. 1t
was dark when shout passed along the ship
that Hobson was coming. 1t was not until
he was safe once more on deck that the crew
CT the New York cheered-than they broke cut
into yell that went up again until tho men
were hoarse.
Behind Hobson came Col. John Jacob As
tor, and the first thing Hobson tried to do
was to introduce him to the officers, but Col.
Astor got lost in the crowd that surrounde d
Hobson and insisted on taking Hobson's
hand. The transports Blew their whistles
Hobson sat once more among his messmates,
and told the story Of his experience his mar
velous escape and his Imprisonment IN MORO
castle watching the shells explode outside his
cell, under a murderous fire.
II did not miss the entrance to the harbar.' %
he said, "as Ensign Powell supposed 1 headed
for the east, and then made straight for the
entrance. Then came the firing. The Merri-
macs steering gear broke as she got to Es-
trella point. Only three of the torpsdoes Oh
her side exploded when touched the button.
huge submarine mine caught her full
amidships, hurting the water high in tho ar
and tearing great rent in the Merrtmac s
side. a.f,.sa
Her stern ran upon Estrella Point. Chfaf1y
from the damage done by the mine she began
to sink slowly. AT that time size was across
the channel, but before she settled the tide
drifted around.
1T was owing to the splendid discipline OF
the men that al of us were not killed. Az
the shells rained over US and minutes be-
came hours of suspense the mems mou his
grew parched. But We must lie there until
daylight.
"It would have been impossible to get the
catamaran anywhere but to the shore where
the soldiers stood shooting, and hoped that
by daylight we might be recognized and
saved.
when the water came up on the Merri-
macs deck the catamaran foated, but was
attached to the wreckage and made fast to
the BOOM so we got up and cut her loose
The firing had ceased except upon the New
York launch, and 1 feared Ensign Powell and
his men had been killed.
"A Spanish launch came toward the Merri-
mac. We agreed to capture her and run.
Just as she came Close the Snaniards saw
US and half a dozen marines jumped up and
pointed their rifles at our. heads:
lis there any officer in that boat to re-
ccive surrender of prisoners of war;" I
shouted.
AN old man leaned out under the awning
and waved his hand. 1t was Admiral Ger
vera. The marines lowered their rifles and
we wero helped into the launch.
Then we were put in cells in Moro castle.
Later we were taken into Santiago. Yesterday
the Spapierds became as polite rs could be-
1 knew something was up and then the ex-
change camc.''
Hobson was overjoyed at getting back He
looked well though somewhat worn. On
the whole the Spaniards treated him better
than had been expected. He could not IN
derstand his promised exceptional promotion
but was cyerjoyed to learn the news that his
bravery had been recognized by the people.
The men who came with him received ring
| ing reception. All are doing we'll.