The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-06-14
OFFICIAL REPORT.
Adm. Sampson Tells of the Heroism Of
Lieut. Hobson and His Men.
The Plan of Sinking the Merrimac Was
HObsOn's - The American Admiral
Considers the Deed One of the
Bravest Since Cushing's.

WASHINGTON, June 13.-The navy de-
partment Saturday posted the follow
ing bulletin giving a detailed official
report from Adm. Sampson upon the
herOism of Lieut.. Hobson and his
men in sinking the Merrimac in the
Santiago channel:
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP New
YORK, OFF SANTIAGO, June 5, 1885,
Permit me to call your special atten-
ton to Assistant Naval Constructor
HObson. AS stated in a special tele-
gram, before coming here l decided TO
make the harbOr entrance secure
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 pro-
fessional opinion as to a sure method
of sinking the ship he manifested the
most lively interest in the problem.
After several days consideration he
presented n solution which he cOnsid-
cred would insure the immediate sink
ing of the ship when she reached the
desired point in the channel.
This plan we prepared for execution
when we reached Santiago The plan
contemplated a crew of only seven
men and Mr.. Hobson, who begged
that it might be intrusted to him.
The anchor chains were arranged on
deck for both the anchors, forward and
aft, the plan including the anchoring
of the ship almost automatically.
As soon as L reached Santiago and 1
had the collier TO work upon and the
details were completed, and diligently
prosecuted hoping to complete them
in one day as the moon and tide served
best the first night after our arrival
Notwithstanding every effort the hour
Of o'clock in the morning arrived,
and the preparation was scarcely com
pleted. After a careful inspection of
the final preparations was forced to
relinquish the plan for that morning
as dawn was breaking. Mr.. Hobson
begged to try it at all hazards.
This morning proved more propi-
tious, as prompt start could be made.
Nothing could have been more gallant
ly executed. We waited impatiently af-
ter the firing by the Spaniards had ceas-
ed. When they did not re-appear from
the harbor at 6 o'clock feared that
they had all persisted. A steam launch,
witch had been sent in charge of Naval
cadet Powell to rescue the men, ap-
peared at this time coming out under
a persistent fire of the batteries, but
brought none of the crew. A careful
inspection of the harbor from this ship
showed that the vessel Merrimac had
been sunk in the channel. E
This afternoon the chief of staff of
Adm. Cervera came out under flag
of truce with letter from the ad-
miral extolling the bravery of the
crew in an unusual matter.
can not myself too earnestly eX-
press my appreciation of the conduct
of Mr.. Hobson and his gallant crew.
1 venture to say that more brave and
daring thing has not been done since
Cushing blew up the Albermarle.
Referring to the inspiring letter
which you addressed to the officers at
the beginning of the war l am sure
you will offer a suitable professional
reward to Mr.. Hobson and his COM
panions
l must add that Commander j. M.
Miller relinquished his command with
the very greatest reluctance believing
he would retain his command under
all circumstances. He was, however,
finally convinced that the attempt
of another person to carry out the
multitude of details which had been in
preparation by Mr.. Hobson might en-
danger its proper execution. 1 there
fore took the liberty to relieve him for
this reason only. There were hun
dreds of voluntee who were anxious
to participate; there were $50 from
the Iowa, nearly as many from this
ship, and large numbers from all the
other ships, officers and men alike.
(Signed) ''W. II. SAMPSON"