The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-06

grand, and beyond mere sentiment ex-
pressed in words Under these circum-
stances one can imagine the immense feel
Ing Of satisfaction experienced when it be-
came known that Hobson and the crew of
the Merrimac were safe.
Later in the day boat with white flag
put out from the harbor and Captain
Oviedo the chief of staff of Admiral Ger
vera, boarded the New York and informed
the admiral that the whole of the party
had been captured. and that only two of the
heroes had been injured Lieutenant Hob
son had not been injured. 1t appears that
the Spanish admiral was so struck with the
courage of the Merrimac's crew that he de-
cided to inform Admiral Sampson that they
had not lost their lives, but were prisoners
OF war and could be exchanged The dingy
portion of the programme does not appear
to have been carried out, which leads to the
belief that she may have been smashed by
shot, for it seems Hobson and his men
drifted ashore on an old catamaran. which
had been slung over the Merrimacs side
at the last moment as an extra precaution.
They were captured and sent to Santiago
under guard previous to being transferred
to MORO Castle, where they are now I'M
derstoods to be confined. Money and provi-
sions were sent to the prisoners through
Captain Oviedo and it is believed Rear Ad-
miral Sampson is taking the steps necessary
to bring about their exchange.
CADET POWELL HERO.
The fleet tonight is in a state of delighted
enthusiasm, and the admiral is just hap
Ply as the youngest sailor. The general
opinion is that no men ever deserved recog-
milton for personal bravery more than does
Lieutenant Hobson. Cadet Powell, who was
the last man to see Lieutenant Hobson be-
fore his start, after much needed sleep told
the story of his experience. He said: Lieu
tenant Hobson took short sleep for few
hours, which was often interrupted. At a
quarter Of o'clock he came on deck and
made final inspection, giving his last in
structions Then he had little lunch. Hob
son was as cool as cucumber. At about
2:30 O'Clock / took the men who were not
going on the trip into the launch and start
ed for the Texas, the nearest ship, but had
to go back for one of the assistant engi-
neers whom Hobson had finally compelled
to leave. shook hands with Hobson last
of all. He said: Powell, watch the boats
crew when we pull out of the harbor We
will be cracks, rowing thirty strokes to the
minute
After leaving the Texas 1 saw the Merri-
mac steaming slowly in. 1t was only fairly
dark then and the shore was quite visible.
We followed about three-quarters of mile
astern. The Merrimac stood about a mile to
the westward of the harbor and seemed a
bit mixed, turning completely around, and,
finally, heading to the east, she ran down
and then turned in. We were then chasing
him, because / thought Hobson had lost his
bearings. When Hobson was about 200 yards
from the harbor the first gun was fired from
the eastern bluff. We were then about half
a mile off shore and nearing the batteries.
The firing increased rapidly. We steamed
in slowly ard lost sight of the Merrimac
in the smoke which the wind carried off
shore. 1t hung heavy. Before Hobson could
have blown up the Merrimac the western
battery picked us up and commenced firing.
They shot wild, however, and we only heard
the shots. We ran in still closer to the
shore and the gunners lost sight of us. Then
we heard the explosion of the torpedoes on
the Merrimac.
Until daylight we waited just outside the
breakers, half a mile to the westward of
MORO, keeping a sharp lookout for the boat
or for swimmers, but saw nothing. Hobson
had arranged to meet us at that point, but
thinking that some one might have drifted
out, we crossed in front of MORO and south
of the harbor to the eastward. At about
o'clock we crossed the harbor again within
quarter of mile, and stood to the west
ward. In passing we saw one spar of the
Merrimac sticking out of the water We
Rugged the shore just outside of the break
ers for mile and then turned towards the
Texas, when the batteries and
opened fire. 1t was then broad daylight.
The first shot fired dropped thirty yards
astern, but the other shots were wild.
drove the launch for all she was worth,
finally making the New York. The men be-
haved splendidly."