The Holly chieftain., 1898-06-10
MOST DARING FEAT.
Lieut. Hobson andiseven Brave Men
Add Lustre to Americas History.
rhey Kan the Mernmao into santiago
Channel and sank Her-Findinr rs
cape Impossible. They Roved
to . spanish ship

cape Impossible. They Rowed
to spanish ship.
WASHINGTON, June 6.-The navy de-
partmept has posted the following
bulletin: The navy department at
three o'clock Saturday afternoon re-
ceived the following dispatch:
MOLE Hayti. June 4-Succeeded in SINKING
Merrinac In the channel OF Santiago al tour
p NJ. June This was carried out mos.
gnllantly under the command OF Sa'ai
Instructor Hobson and seven men.
By q flag Of truce from the Spanish
admiral. Ceryera sent in recognition of their
bravery. am informed all are prisoners OF
war. two slightly wounded Request authority
TO approve exchange. II possible, oet"eeh
these and prisoners at Atlanta Six OF the
Spanish squadron in the harbor OF santiago
unable to avoid being captured or DESTROYED.
The name of Hobson has gone on
the list of American heroes, with Law
renee and Paul Jones, Perry and Cush-
ing and the rest For it was Lieut.
Richmond p. Hobson, of Alabama,
who took the big collier Merrimac
right into the channel of Santiago, in
the face of the fire from all the Span
ish ships and batteries, and there de-
liberately sank his vessel to keep Ger
vera in the harbor until such time as
the Americans get ready to capture
him and his ships of war.
Particular. of the Daring Peat
Thursday night Admiral Sampson decided to
send the Merrmac in and sink her ut the cham
nel's narrowest part He called for volunteers,
explaining that it was desperate mission
death being almost certain for all those who
ventured in. The navy showed the stun 1t is
made Of Sampson wanted eight men He
could have had every officer and man in the
feet Everyone was more than ready. Many
begged for the chance with fearful eyes But
Hobson and seven others were selected. and
the rest had to content themselves with giving
the heroes q cheer they went 10 their death
or fame
Just before three O'Clock Friday morning the
collier, deeply laden with ballast material and
some coal, was headed without preliminary
maneuver straight for the entrance, over
which the remaining batteries OF Moro frown
from one side and those of Socapa from the
other In the dark OF the early morning the
Merrimac, without light showing anywhere.
dashed well within the line OF the forts be-
fore she was discovered, our ships laundering
at the enemy's batteries to divert their atten-
tton from the collier From the boat bearing
the flag of truce 1t was learned that the Merri-
mac was frequently hit while steaming up the
narrow channel, but that none OF the shots dis
abled her machinery. More than 100 project
lies struck near her. over a dozen struck home
and two of her intrepid men were bruised by
splinters from the woodwork
When Hobson left the ship In the boat he
made an effort to row out of the harbor and re-
gain the American feet, but he had gone too
far up the channel and he soon saw that the
effort to pass all the aroused batteries in the
then daylight would mean the sacrifice OF all
his crew. So he turned and rowed straight to
the Spanish squadron. Some shots were still
sent aft n the boat but before long the Span
iards saw that Hobson evidently intended TO
give himself up and ceased firing, The Amer
lean lieutenant rowed straight to Admiral Ger
vera, who received the prisoners courteously
and treated them with respect due gallant men
who were prisoners OF war 1t was undoubted-
ly his admiration for the heroism displayed in
the dash of the Merrimac which led him to send
out the flag of truce and the offer OF an honor
able exchange.
The eye could not follow the Merrimac. but
the soon told that she had been detected
by the Spaniards, for the fire from up the
channel indicated that every possible gun was
being brought to bear on her The Spaniards
may also have endeavored TO destroy her by
the mines they are supposed to have in the
harbor. but II the attempt was made 1t did not
succeed for the Merrimac went to the point to
which Admiral Sampson had directed Hobson
to take her There she was anchored and coolly
swung acress the channel Then Hobson blew
hole In her bottom, and with his seven men
only two OF whom had been injured, took
boat All that is yet known Of that heroic
DASH beyond these bare facts, comes from Ad-
miral Ceryera himself
The Spanish commander sent word TO Samp-
son, under flag of truce of the capture Of the
eight American dare-deyils. He calamity
praised their heroism and offered to arrange
IN exchange for Spanish prisoners now in the
hands Of the United States The Spaniards on
the truce boat declared that Hobson and his
men were given cheer as they came up to the
Spanish ships, the sailors recognizing the
bravery of the deed
In the feet it is said that Hobson was Sc
lccted because OF his coolness In time of danger
and his knowledge Of the explosives which he
was 70 use In sending his ship to the bottom.
The explosive used was a dynamite bomb,
operated by electricity. The bomb was placed
well forward, and the electrical apparatus for
exploding 1t was located on deck ut the stern.
In this way it was possible to blow a hole in
the collier and then take to the boats before
the big vessel went down
The truce boat took back to Hobson and his
men clothing and money. Capt Ovdeo. of Ger
vera's stan. cheerfully agreeing to deliver any
thing the Americans might desire to send
Ovideo reported that Hobson was not burt in
any way and that the two men wounded by
splinters were not seriously injured
They VIII Be Rewarded.
NEW YORK, June GA Washington
dispatch to the New York Herald saws:
Naval Constructor Hobson and the
seven brave men who assisted him in
sinking the Merrimac, who were all
taken prisoners by Admiral Cervera,
will be liberated as soon as possible.
1t is the belief of the authorities here
that Gen. Blanco and Admiral Ccrvera
will not hesitate to agree to an ex-
change of prisoners President McKin-
ley will, in all probability. reward Hob
son by commencing him to the senate
for extraordinary heroism." Itis also
proposed to substantially recognize
the gallantry Of the men, who, under
his command, risked their lives to
bring victory to their country. II thev
be fit for it each man will be appoint
ed warrant officer and, in any event
all will be awarded medals of honor in
recognition Of their bravery. The
promotion Of the men to warrant rank
will result in placing them in posi-
tions Of command, in providing them
with better accommodation aboard
ship aud in beneHtting them inan,
cially.