The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-06
powEll's STORY.
HE Last Man to 49, nsAseu Bsfsrs IN
Peri1ous Trip.

1hs Last Ia to 49, 0oAeou Dsfsre IN
Peri1ous Trip.
Copyright 1888 by Associated Press.
Kinston. June s.-The bravery Of LIEU
tenant Hobson and his daring crew OF
seven. who san the Merrimac In the
Santiago channel. has evidently excited
as much admiration among the Spaniards
as II did among the men of the American
feet The prisoners will be perfectly care
and will probably be well treated wniie
they remain in Moro castle.
The fleet is Wild tonight over the ter
mination OF the most daring expsoitlon
since the destruction of the confederate
ironclad Albemarle by Lieutenant Cush-
ing In 1854 The admiral Is just as gao a
the youngest jackie. Captain CHADWICK OF
the flagship New York. who Is usually
most conservative. in speaking OF the nc'-
dent, said:
splendid, Splendid. Too much cannot
be said about it,
The general opinion In that no man ever
deserved recognition by congress for per-
sonal bravery more than does Lieutenant
Hobson His work was well done and his
men are safe. When he started on the ex-
petition few thought he could accomplish
his object.
IL is probable that the Spsniards will
try to blow up the Merrimac but improb-
able that they will succeed. Speculation
IL TlIt ~ W ttAas "a
tenant Hobson managed 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.
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 said:
Lieutenant Hobson took a short sleep
for a few hours. which was often inter-
rupted. A quarter to 2 o'clock he came on
deck and made a final inspection, 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 whit
were not going on the trip into the launch
and started for the Texas. the nearest
ship. but had to go back with one Of the
assistant engineers, whom Hobeon finally
compelled to leave. I shook hands with
Hobson last of all He said:
Powell, watch the boat crew when
We pull out of the harbor. We will be
cracks, rowing 30 strokes to the minute,
after leaving the Texas l saw the Mer-
rimac steaming slowly In. II was only fair
ly dark then and the shore was quite WISH
BILE. We followed about ~three>quarters OF
a mile astern. The Merrimac stood about
a mile to the westward Of the harbor and
seemed a bit mixed, turning completely
around, finally heading east, then ran
down and turned in. We were then chas-
ing him. because we thought Hobson had
lost his bearings. When Hobson was
about 200 yards from the harbor the nrst
gun was fired from the eastern blum. We
were then a half mile of shore. 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 of the shore. 1t hung
heavily. Before Hobson could have blown
up the Merrimac the western battery
-t.r~a - o.A ,o-unanroA Artn0 TheV
shot wild and we only heard the shots.
We ran in still closer to shore and the
runners lost sight of us. Then we heard
the explosion of the torpedoes on the Mer-
rimac.
Until daylight we waited Just outside
the eaker half a mile to the westward
] of Moro, keeping a lookout for the boat
| or for swimmers. but saw nothing. Hob
son had arranged to meet us at that
| point. but thinking that some one might
have drifted out, we crossed in front or
MORO and the mouth of the harbor to the
eastward. About 8 o'clock we crossed the
harbor again within a quarter of a mile
and stood to the westward. In passing we
saw one spar of the Merrimac sticking
out of the water. We Rugged the shore
lust outside the breakers for a mile and
then turned toward the Texas. when the
batteries saw us and opened fire. IT was
then broad daylight. The first shot fired
dropped so yards astern. but the other
shots went wild. ] drove the aunch 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 Powelrs mind.
Probably no other details of this marvel
Gus trip will be known until Lieutenant
Hobson gets back.
Some heavy firing was done shortly be
fore midnight by the New York and New
Orleans. aimed at h was thought &c
be a small gunboat which had appeared.
This splendid stroke. which leaves ths
government at Washington free to act
without further fear Of the Spanish fleet
was planned by Lieutenant Richmond
Hobson, who commanded the expedition
With him went Daniel Montague. Georg'
Charette. J. f.. Murphy. Oscar Deignan
John r. Phillips and John Kelley. all non