The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-06-11
MERRIMAC SUNK IN CHANNEL
DARING ACT OF AMERICANS
Under Orders of Admiral Sampson
Eight Men Took the Vessel Into
the Entrance OF Santiago Hnrbor
and Exploded Her-Are Admiral
Cerveras Prisoners.

Washington, June 1.-The navy depart
ment has posted the following bulletin:
"The navy department at 3 o'clock re-
ceived the following dispatch:
"'NIole, Haiti, June I've succeeded
in sinking the Merrimac in the channel
at Santiago at p. m, June 3. This was
carried out under the command of Naval
Constructor Hobson and seven men.
by a flag of truce from Spanish Ad
miral Cervera sent in recognition of their
bravery, | am informed all are prisoners
of war, two being slightly wounded.
request authority to approve an exchange,
if possible, between these and the prison
ers at Atlanta.
"'SiX of the Spanish squadron are III
the harbor of Santiago, and unable to
avoid being captured or destroyed.
How Ii Was Done.
On Board Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dauntless, oil Santiago, June 3, via
Kingston, June Rear Admiral Sampson
during Friday morning decided to close
the narrow harbor entrance to Santiago
by sinking the collier Merrimac loaded
with coal, in the channel.
He called for volunteers to go to al
most certain death and 1000 men offered
themselves. Lieutenant Hobson and six
men were chosen, and at 4 a. m. Friday
the Merrimac, under her own steam, en-
tered the channel under a terrible Spanish
fire.
The vessel was riddled with projectiles,
but she anchored and swung around.
Lieutenant Hobson then set off an in
ternal torpedo with electric attachment.
There was an explosion, the Merrimac
sank, the channel was closed and appar-
emily Cervera will be unable to escape.
Crew Was Saved.
Kingston, Jamaica, June 4.-Lieuten-
ant Hobson and the hero crew of the Mer-
rimac were saved in the following man
ner:
Unable after the sinking of their vessel
to make their way back through the
storm of shot and shell they rowed into
the harbor of the Spanish flagship and
We're taken on board unframed. The
Spanish admiral, under flag of truce,
on Friday, sent word to the American
admiral that he offered to exchange the
prisoners, adding that, in the meanwhile,
Hobson and his party would be treated
with the greatest kindness.
Washington, June 4-The only Hobson
in the list of officers of the naval register
is Richmond p Hobson, naval constructor
who is lieutenant of the Junior grade.
] Ia nj
structor in 1891. He entered the navy
from Alabama.
Spaniards Clear the Channel.
Port au Prince, June 4.-Further news
received from Santiago confirms the re-
ports that bombardment of that place
began at 3 o'clock yesterday morning
After the action the Spanards blew up
with dynamite the sunl<en collier, Merri-
mac, and have since been at work clear
ing the channel so as to, in all probability
permit Admiral Cervera to put out to
sea should the Cadiz squadron arrive in
Cuban waters to relieve the blockaded
ships.
In the meanwhile the dispatches from
Santiago say the Spaniards pay tribute
to the audacity of the Americans in sc
cleverly attempting to blockade the chan
mel. According to the Spaniards it would
be foolishness on the part of the Ameri
cans to attempt to force the harbor en-
trance which is long and narrow and
thoroughly mined, seemingly forming an
insurmountable barrier.
There are great numbers of insurgents
in the vicinity of Santiago waiting fol
some decisive action on the part of tn,
American fleet which will undoubtedly b.
the signal for land attack on the town
Cuba Isolated.
OFF Santiago de Cuba. June 3, ) p. m
(Per Associated Press boat Wanda, viz
Kingston, Jamaica, June A. - The last
cable strands binding Cuba to the outside
world were cut this afternoon by cabl,
vessel conveyed here by the United State.
dispatch boat Dolphin.
This black sea crab delved all day alone
the coast, hour by hour. and its claws al
length brought up the barnacle clustere,
cable strands and snapped them and to
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