Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-06-09

far over the launch. Then for fifteen
minutes the big guns ashore kept UP
an irregular fire on the little launch.
As the shells fell without hitting the
object they were intended for, the men
on the New York teered at the marks
manship and cheered their shipmates.
At 6:15 q. M the launch came along
side the flagship, but she did not have
on board any of the crew of the Merri-
mac. Cadet Powell reported that he
had been unable TO see any signs OF
the Merrimaes crew. 1t developed
that with great bravery the cadet had
gone right under the batteries, and
only returned when all hopo Of taking
on board the crew of the Merrimae had
to be abandoned.
Cadet Powell also reported that he
had clearly seen the Merrimac's masts
sticking up Just where Hobson hoped
to sink her, north of Estrella battery,
and well past the guns Of MORO cas-
tie. But OF the heroes who had penned
the Spaniards In there was not a sound
or a sign.
Rear-Admiral Sampson saidt
II am pretty sure the attempt was
quite successful. / hope all those
brave fellows were not captured"
Cadet Powell believes the torpedoes
previously fixed about the Merrimac
were exploded as planned, as Lieut..
Hobson was well up the harbor before
the Spaniards opened fire on the Merri-
mac.
What actually happened on board
the Merrimac can best be judged from
what Lieut.. Hobson said Just before
leaving the flagship. Sitting In his
cabin, his face Drowned by the sun
he remarked:
II shall go right into the harbor un-
til about 400 yards past the Estrella
battery, which is behind MORO castle.
I do not think they can sink me before
/ reach somewhere near hat point.
The Merrimac has 1000 tons buoyancy,
and l shall keep her full speed ahead.
She can make about ten knots. When
the narrowest part of the channel Is
reached l shall put her helm hard
aport stop the engines, drop
the anchors, open the sea connec-
tions, touch off the torpedoes and
leave the Merrimac q wreck, lying
athwart the channel, which Is not as
broad az the Merrimnc is long. There
are ten 8-inch improvised torpedoes
below the water line, on the Merrimac's
port side. They are placed on her side
against the bulkheads and vital spots,
connected with each other by a wire
under the ships keel. Each torpedo
contains SO pounds of gunpowder.
Each torpedo Is also connected with
the bridge, and they should do their
work in u minute, and it will be quick
work even II done In O minute and a
quarter.
ION deck there will be four men and
myself. In the engine room there will
be two other men. This is the total
crew and all of US will be 10 our IN
derclothing with revolvers and amnu-
milton In water-tight packing strapped
around our waists Forward there
will be q man on deck, and around his
waist will be o line, the other end of
the line being made fast to the bridge
On which l will stand. By'that mans
side will be an axe. When 1 stop the
engine l shall Jerk this eord and he
will thus get the signal to cut
the lashing which will be hold
ing the forward anchor. He will then
Jump overheard and swim to the four
cared dingy which we shall tow
astern. The dingy Is full of life buoys
and is unsuitable, held by I'VE ropes,
one made fast at her bow and one at
her stern. The first nan to reach her
will haul In the tow line and pull the
J.,a.x, o,S 90 aAn-Ipn-1 Tho nnUt "a
leave the ship n the rest of the crew.
The quartermaster at the wheel will
not leave until after having put it hard
aport and dashed 1T so; he will then
jump overheard.
Down below, the man ut the re-
/ versing gear will stop the engines,
scramble up on deck and get over the
side as quickly as possible.
THE man in the engine room will
break open the sea connections with a
sledge hammer, and will follow his
leader into the water. This last step
insures the sinking Of the Merrimac,
| whether the torpedoes work or not.
"By this time, I calculate, the six
men will be in the dingy and the Mer-
| rimac will have swung athwart the
| channel to the fall length of her
| 300 yards of cable, which will have
| been paid out before the anchors were
| cut loose. Then all that is left for me
| is to tonch the button. / shall stand
| on the starboard side of the bridge.
| The explosion will throw the Merri.
mac on her starboard side. Nothing
| on this sine of New York city will be
| able to raise her after that
"And you expect TO come out-of this
alive?" asked q companion of the lieu
tenant.
"Ah, that Is another thing" said the
| lieutenant. He was so interested In
the mechanical details OF the scheme
that he scarcely stopped to talk of Life
and death. But, in reply to frequent
questions, Hobson said:
Il suppose the Estrada battery will
fire down on US o bit, but the ships will
throw their searchlights In the gun
ners' faces and they won't SEQ much OF
us. Then, If we are torpedoed we should
even then be able to make the desired
position In the channel. 1t won't bt
so easy to hit us, and I think the mer
should be able to swim to The
dingy. l may jump before I an
blown up. But 1 don't SEE
that It makes much differ
ence what 1 do. 1have a fair chanc,
of life either way. If our dingy gets
shot t 0 pieces we shall then try t.
swim for the beach right under Moro
castle. We shall keep together at al
hazards. Then we may be able Il
make our way alongside and perhaps
get back TO the ship. We shall fgh
the sentries or q squad until the last
and we shall only surrender to owe
whelming numbers, and our surrender
will only take place as a last and
most uncontemplated emergency"
1t Is rumored that President Hen
reaux of San Domingo has been as
Sassinated.