El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-06-11
HOBSON'S GREATFEAT
SIMPSONS Official Report to the
Navy Department.

Navy department.
| WASHINGTON, June IL The folio W
| ing communication was made public
| this morning.:
| United States fl seship New York, of
Santiago. June 4.-Sir: Permit me tc
call your special attentio to the brave
conduct of Assistant Ma val Constructor
Hobson as stated in q special tele-
gram.
Before coming here it was decided to
make the harbor entrance secure
against the possible egress of the
Spanish ships. Upon calling upon
Hobson for his professional opinion as
to the best method of sinking q ship
be manifested the most lively interest
in the problem.
After several days consideration he
presented solution which he was
convinced would insure the Immediate
sinking of ship. The plan contem-
plated the employment of a crew of
seven men. and Hobson begged that it
might be entrusted to him. Hobson
arranged the anchor chains fore and
aft so that the ship could be anchored
almost automatically.
AS soon as I reached Santiago and had
q collier to work upon, the details we're
commenced and diligently prosecuted,
with the hope that the work might be
completed in one day, as the moon and
tide served best one night after our ar
rival. Notwithstanding every effort,
the hour of four arrived, and prepara-
tions were scarcely completed.
After a careful inspection of the final
preparations was forced to relinquish
the plan, as dawn was breaking. Hob
son begged to try at all hazards.
This morning proved more propi-
tious, as q prompt start could be made.
Nothing could have been more gall
ly after the firing Of the Spaniards at
sea. When they did not reappear
from the harbor at o'clock 1 feared
that they had all perished.
A steam launch which had been
sent out in command of Naval Cadet
Powell to rescue the men appeared
at this time coming out under the per-
sistent fire of the batteries, but brought
none of the crew. A careful inspection
of the hsrbor from this side showed
that the Merrimac had been sunk in
the channel.
This afternoon the chief of staff of
Admiral Cervera came out under q
flag of truce with letter from the ad-
miral, 9extolling the bravery of the
Merrimac's crew in an unusual man
ner.
1 cannot myself too highly express
my appreciation of the conduct of Hob
son and his gallant crew. 1 venture to
thing has not been done since Cushing
blew up the Aibemarle.
Referring to the inspiring letter
which you have addressed to all officers
at the beginning of the war. 1 am sure
you will offer q suitable reward to
Hobson and his companions.
must add that Commander J. M.
Miller relinquished his command with
the very greatest reluctance, believing
that he could retain his command un-
der all circumstances. He was, how
ever, finally convinced that the at
tempt of another person to carry out
the multitude of details which had
been in preparation by Hobson might
endanger this proper execution. 1
therefore took the liberty to relieve
him for. this reason only.
There were hundreds of volunteers
in the squadron, $50 from the Iowa,
nearly as many from this ship, and q
large number from other ships, officers
and men alike. (Signed) Sampson.