The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-05
Daring Exploit Of Lieutenant HObSOn and His Gal
liant Little Crew.
DROVE THE STEAMER MERRIMAC
INTO THE VERY JAWS OF DEATH
Spanish AdmraPS Chivalry In Acknowledging American
ValOr and Caring FOrthe Prisoners.

conservative, in speaking of the Incl
dent, said:
Splendid! Splendid! Too much can
not be said about it.''
The general opinion is that no man
ever deserved recognition by congress
for personal bravery more than does
Lieutenant Hobson. His work was well
done and his men are safe. When he
started on the expedition few thought
he could accomplish his object.
Officers of the fleet, when questioned
as to whether Captain OViedo could
have had any Interior design in visiting
the New York under flag of truce,
secuted the suggestion, saying that the
visit was prompted by pure chivalry
on the part of the Spaniards, and was
noble of them.
Clausen, the New York's coXswain
went on the Merrimac against orders.
Nothing could have kept him from that
trip into the jaws of death
1t is probable that the Spaniards will
try to blow up the Merrimac, but i'm
probable that they will succeed.
Speculation is rife as to the exact de-
tails of how Lieutenant Hobson man
aged to blow himself and ship up and
live to tell the tale. His heroism has
cleared up the situation well. The
SpaniardS are now doubly hemmed in.
At quarters of the New York last
evening, Chaplain Royce, praying be-
fore the bare-headed crew on deck,
thanked God for having preserved
Lieutenant HobsOn and the men under
him.
CADET POWELL'S STORY.
Cadet Powell, who was the last man
to see Lieutenant Hobson before his
start, and who had charge of the
launch during its perilous trip, after
much pressure, told the story of his
experience.
He saids Lieutenant Hobson took
a short slep for few hours, which was
often interrupted. A quarter to o'clock
he came on deck and made final inspec-
ton, giving his last instructions. Then
we had a little lunch. Hobson was as
cool as a cucumber. About 2:30 o'clock
L took the men who were not going on
the trip into the launch and started for
the Texas the nearest ship, but had to
go back for one of the assistant engin-
GERS, whom Hobson finally compelled
to leave. l shook hands with HobSon
the last of all. He said:
- Powell watch the boats crew when
we pull out of the harbor. We Will be
cracks, rowing 80 strokes TO the min
ute.
After leaving the Texas, I saw the
Merrimac steaming slowly in. 1t was
only fairly dark then, and the shore
WAS quite VlSlDlc. w e lOllOWGu dgOuI
three quarters of q mile aStern. The
Merrimac stood about a mile to the
westward Of the harbOr and seemed
bit mixed, turning completely around,
finally heading east, then ran down and
turned in We were then chasing him,
because 1 thought Hobson had lost his
, bearings.
When Hobson was about 200 yards
from the harbor the first gun was fired
from fha "a err r-T7 hlTIff We were then
half a mile offshore, close under the
batteries. The firing increased rapidly.
We steamed in slowly and lost sight of
the Merrimac in the smoke, which the
wind carried offshore. 1t hung heavily.
Before Hobson could have blown up the
Merrimac, the western battery picked
up and commenced firing. They shot
wild. and we only heard the shots. We
ran in still closer to shore, and the gun
nars lost sight of US. Then we heard
the explosion of the torpedoes on the
Merrimac.
Until daylight we waited just out
side the breakers, half a mile to the
westward of MORO, keeping bright
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 the mouth of the
harbOr again within quarter OF
mile and stood to the westward. In
passing we saw one spar Of the Mer-
rinac sticking out of the water. We
Rugged the shore just outside of the
breakers for a mile, and then turned
toward the Texas, when the batteries
saw us and opened fire. 1t was then
broad daylight The first shot fired
dropped so yards astern, but the other
shots went wild.
Il drove the launch for all she was
worth. finally making the New York.
The men behaved splendidly."
The news of Lieutenant Hobson's
safety lifted a great load from Powells
mind Probably no other detail Of this
marvellous trip will be known until
Lieutenant Hobson gets back.
Some heavy firing was done shortly
before midnight by the New York and
New Orleans, aimed at what was
thought TO be a small gunboat, which
had appeared.
Whether she was sunk or not is not
known The firing took place to the
eastward of MORO.
MORE FIRING HEARD.
Cape Haytien, June 4, 11:5O a. M
Firing was resumed by the American
squadron off Santiago de Cuba at 1890
Friday. Details are lacking. 1t is re-
ported at Santiago that three warships
have been detached from TIE American
fleet to convoy a fresh supply Of NUM-
T-yDEr,D DIT nTrrHT IT'D