The Red Cloud chief., 1898-06-10
SUNK IT THEMSELVES.
MERRlMhC BLOWN UP Ely
HER OWN CREW.
The Steamer was Riddl'd by Spanish Fro
i%ectiics when an Internal Torpedo sunk
Hor-Lieutenant iIobson il the New
Hero-Ucld prisoner by Ccr,cca
orr SANTIAGO nr CrnA via KinVst-n.

Cry SANTIAGO pE CvBA Via Eirgst~7,
Jamaica), June G.-Iicar Admiral Samp.
son yesterday morning decided to close
the narrow harhor entrance to Santi-
ago dc Cuba 10y sinking the collier
Mcrrimac, loaded with coal. in the
channel. lie called for volunteers to
go TO almost certain death and 4,0CC
men offered themselves.
Lieutenant Iioh.un and six men
were chosen. ard at 3 o'clock yesterday
morning the Mcrrimac. under her own
steam, entered the channel under a
terrible Spanish fire. The vessel was
riddlcd with proicctilcs. but she an
chorcd and swung around.
Lieutenant Ilobson then set Oft an
internal torpedo with an electrical NJ
tachmcnt. There was an explosion.
The Mcrrimac sank and the channel
was closed. Apparently Admiral Ger.
vera will bc unable to escape.
KINGSTON, Jamaica. June C.-TIob.
son and the hero crew of the McrrimaC
were saved in the following manner
Unable. after the sinking of their yes.
sci, to make their way back through
VIZ ~ 81 vi ~ "lt' 0AA'Ais lll'N
rowcd into the harbor to the Spanish
flagship and were taken on board uu.
harmed.
The Spanish admiral, under n flag OK
truce, sent word 20 the American ad.
miral that he offered to exchange the
prisoners. adding that in the mean.
while llohson and his party would b.
treated with thc greatest kindness.
WAsWNGroN, June 6.-It is now
known that the navy department about
ten days ago was considering a plan
for closing the harbor at Santiago very
similar in general scope to that appar.
cutly put into execution yesterday. II
was proposed TO get two large hulks
or scows and fill them with big
houldcrS. These were to bc dashed on
either side of a tup and run into the
harhor and at the proper point were to
be scuttlcd. Provisions were to bc
made for the safety of the crew by at
taching TO the tug a torpedo boat stern
foremost. At the proper moment the
crew was TO 60 aboard the torpedo
boat. scu'tlc the hulks by an electrical
contrivancc and cutting loose from the
hulis made a rush for liberty and the
open sea. There were signs that YES.
tcrday'n project was a development Of
this idea. Probably the plan of taking
in scovs was rejected because Sanp.
son could mo- waste valuable time in
waiting for such craft to bc brought
from the United States.
As to the reports Of the Morrimac
being removed by the Spaniards, as l.
"1portcd TO be under way at Santiago.
the officials at the Navy department
, declare this likely to he a difficult.
dangerous and timc-consuming OPP
Grafton. The hulk could hc blown
up 10y the use of dynamite charges
which would not be difficult to place in
the shallow water where the Mcrrimac
lies, for the reports say the top Cf the
funnel is above water, indicating II
depth Of about forty feet. but il ie
believed that the wreck lies in sight
> from the sea and IL is not doubted
Sampson will post some Of the
heavy ironclads in such n position ns
! to be able 10 command the site with
heavy guns and prevent the Spanish
wrcckcrs working. At night some.
> thing might be accomplished by the
wrcclters, but even that work would
! be full Of danger.
Substantial promotion is in store for
; the gallant men who took the Mcrri.
( mac III, according 10 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
u money. The department. so far as is
: known, now holds no Spanish prison.
5 crs Of war Of rank. Colonel Cortiio
D and the Spanish surgeon, who was
captured with him, having been sur
rendered in exchange for n couple of
I newspaper men, there now remain OF
prisoners OF war only two or three
private soldiers at Fort Mcpherson,
and IT cannot be expected that these
e can be exchanged for the American of.
g fccrs who were on the Mcrrimac. The
5 captives, therefore, are likely to re.
d main prisoners in Santiago until the
e place surrcndcrs or Sampson managc
I to capture the Spanish officers or equal
rank men to the same number as the
q Mcrrimac's little crew.
5 KEY WEST, Fla, June G.--Thcrc is
peace along the line Of the blockade,
while the Spaniards on shore continue
day and night TO strengthen the forti-
: fcations and throw up new ores. This
continues TO bc the order Of things on
the northern coast of Cuba.
The Spaniards are taking advantage
OF every day of grace left them in Cuba
to prepare To resist the inevitable in.
vasion in the near future. Lately.
however, the energy of the enemy
seems TO have been doubled. This
work of strengthening the shore de,
lenses has gone on without intcrfcr.
= ence and ii is evident that lack of in.
reference has made the Spaniards
bolder.
MDC EhCE m IA NDCNnh