The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-06-12
SAMPSON TELLS OF
HoeSON'S BRAVE WORK.
Every Little Detail Carried Out 90 the
Letter BY the Man who Equals
CushiBg's Deed.

Washington, June 1.-THE navy de-
partmont has posted the following bull
letin, the official repor, Of Admiral
Sampson upon the heroism Of Lieuten'
ant Hobson aud the men Of the Merri.
mac al Santiago harbor.
United States Flagship New York
Santiago June 3.-Permit me 70 call
your special attention 20 Assistant Nav.
al Constructor Hobson. As stated In a
special telegram before coming here, |
decided 70 make the harbor entrance Sc
cure against the possibility Of egress by
Spanish ships by obstructing the narrow
part Of the entrance by sinking a collier
at that point.
Upon calling upon Mr Hobson for
his professional opinion as 70 a sure
method for sinking ship he manifest
ed a most lively interest In the problem.
After several days Of consideration, he
presented a solution which he considered
would insure the immediate sinking Of
the ship when she reached desired
point in the channel This plan was
prepared for execution before we reach.
ed Santiago. The plan contemplated a
crew Of only seven men and Mr. Hobson
who begged that it might be entrusted
20 him. Anchor chains were arranged
on deck for both anchors one forward
and one aft anchoringthe ship almost
automatically.
"As soon as reached Santiago ! had
a collier 10 work upon, and details were
completed and diligently prosecuted,
hoping 70 complete them In one day, as
moon and tide served best the hrt night
after our arrival. Notwithstanding ey.
cry effort, the hour Of O'Clock in the
morning arrived and prcpantions were
scarcely completed After a careful in.
spcction for final preparations we were
forced TO rclinquish our plan for that
morning, a. dawn was breaking. Mr..
Hobson begged 70 try il AZ all hazards.
This morning proved more propi.
tious, as a prompt start could BE- made.
Nothing could have been more CALAMITY
executed We waited impatiently after
the firing o. the spaniards had ceased.
When Hobson and crew did not reap
pear from the harbor at o o'clock,
feared they had all perished. The steam
launch, which had been sent in charge Of
Naval Cadet Powell 20 rescue the men,
appeared this time coming out under
persistent fire Of the batteries, bui
brought none Of the crew. A careful in
spection Of the harbor from this shil
showed that the vessel Merrimac haC
been sunk in the channel This after
noon one the chief Of staf OF Admirl
Corvera came out under a flag Of true,
with letter from the admiral e1tollinl
the bravery Of the crew in unusual man
ner.
Il cannot myself, too earnestly ex
press my appreciation Of the conduct o
Mr. Hobson and his gallant crew
venture 70 say that a more daring anl
brave thing has not been done sine
Cushing blew up the Albomarle
Referring to the inspiring letie
which you addressed 10 officers at IN
beginning Of the war, am sure 20
will offer suitable professional rcwar
20 Mr. Hobson and companions.
II must add that Commander J. NJ
Miller relinquished his command wit
the very greatest rcluctancy, believin
he should retain his command under a
, circumstances. lie was however fr
ally convinced the attempt Of anothC
, person to carry cut the multitude Of d,
tails which had been In preparation b
Mr.. Hobson might endanger It's prop,
execution. therefore took the libcrt
20 relieve him for this occasion only
There were hundreds who were anxioT
10 participate, there were 100 from low
nearly as many from this ship and lara
, numbers from all other ships, Officer
= | aud mon alike w T. SANp-OV %