The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-06

rimac had on board six hundred tons Of
coal when she was scuttled across the
channel.
Lieutenant Hobson started on his daring
errond at 8 O'Clock this morning. The Mer
rl &c was lying to the eastward. Uni2r
Coy6l OF clouds over The moon she stole
towards the coast and made her way to the
eastward, followed by the steam larach
from the New York. with the following
crew on beard: Naval Cadet John Powell
OF Oswego, ~ Y: =. w. Peterson. COS
ss ain; H. II. landlord. apprentice Of the
FIST class; J. Muilings. coal pusger; q. l..
Russell machiuist of the second class.
In the launch were bandages aud appli
ances for the wounded. From the crowded
decks of the New York nothing could be
seen of the Merrmac after she had got I'M
Ger ;he shadow OF the hills. For half an
hour officers and men strained their eyes
pei ring in The gloom, when suddenly the
flash of gun streamed out from MORO
castle. and then all on hoard knew the
Merrmac was nearing her end. The guns
from The spanish battery opposite Moro
castle quickly answered with more fllehts
and for about twenty minutes flashes of
fire seemed to leap across The harbor en-
trance. The flagship WAS too lar away to
hear the reports and when the firing
ceased il was Judged that I'obson had
blow up the MoIrimi.c For an h1ur the
Admira, Sampsol and Cartain Chadwick
were on board tie New York throughout.
AT o'clock thin streams OF smoke were
seen against the western shore. l".te cicse
TO the Spanish batteries, and stroag slastes
made out the launch OF he New FORK re-
turning to the flagship. Scarcely had the
small craft been sighted before Il puff OF
smoke issued from battery on the west
ern arm Of the harbor and shot plunged
tar over the launch. Then for fifteen min
utes the big guns ashore kept UP an irreg
ulur fire on the little launch. ana as the
shells fell without hitting tho object they
ware intended for. the men on board the
New York ieered at the Spanish marks
manship and chcered thor shipmatcs.
At 7:16 a. m, the launch came alongside
TIE flagship hut she did not have on board
any Of the crew Of the Merrlmac. Cadet
Powe!! reported that ne had been unable to
see any signs OF the Merrlmac's crew. II
developed that with great bravery the ca
det had gone right urder the batteries and
only returned when all hope Of taking On
board the crew OF the Merrimac 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 the Estrclla battery and well past
the guns OF Moro castle. But OF tho he
roes who had penned the Spaniards In there
was not a sound or Sign
Rear Admiral Sampson said II ON
pretty sure that the attempt was quite
successful | hope all the brave fellows are
not captured"
Cadet Powell believes the torpeloss fSed
around the Merrimac we're exploded exact
~ as intended. Hobson was well up in
the channel before the forts opened lire
on the Merrinlac. What actually haplened
| on board the Merrirnac can not pe learned.
Sitting in hie cabin, his face Drowned hy
the sun and his eyes flashing with 6xo.tc-
ment, Hobson before leaving the New York
said:
| II shall go right UP In the channel about
400 yards. | iont think they can slnS INC
| before | reach somewhere near that point
/ The Merrimac has 100 tons buoyancy and
shall keep her full speed ahead. She can
make about ten knots. When the narrow
| est part OF tho channel is reached ] shall
| put her helm hard aport, stop the engines.
| drop the anchors. open the sea connections
! touch of the torpedoes and leave the Mer-
! rinlac a wreck lying athwart the channel
Il which Is not as broad az the MerriInac Is
long. There are elght-inch torpedoes be-
lgw the water ine on The Merrimac's port
ride. They are placed on her side against
the bnlkhtads and vital spots. contested
with each other by wire under the sh p's
keel Each torpedo contains eighty two
pounds OF gpnpowder. Each torpedo IL also
connected with the bridge and they should
do their Work IN minute and IL VIII be
4 quick work and will be done In minute
and half. on deck there will b. foul
men and myself. In the engine room
there will be two other men. This Is the
total crew AID all OF us viii be In our un-
/, derclothing. with reyolycrs and ammuni-
ton In water tight packing strappe.
around our waists. Forward there will b,
a man on deck and around his waist will
be line, the other end OF the line beinf
msde fast 10 the bridge on which | will
stand. BY that mans side there Will D,
an axe will stop the engines and shall
jerk this cord and he Will thus get the sig
nal to cut the lasting which will be hold
|, ing for forward anchor. He VIII then jumI
overheard and swim to tho four oaret
ainrev which we viii 's,w asterr. The dinges
: will be full OF life buoys and unsuitable
The first man to reach her will haul in thu
toy lire and pull the dineev on to rtarhc-rf
The next to leave the ship are the rest o.
the crew The quartermaster at the whee
). will not leave until after having put It mar