The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-06-09
HOBSON'S BRA We MEN,
Their Gallant Deed at Santiago Will
. Live in History.
Unhinchingly Face Death Under
Fierce Spanish Fire, and Block the
Channel by Sinking the Merri-
mac-Cervera's Graceful Act.

Fierce Spanish Fire, and Block the
Channel by Sinking the Merri-
mac-Cervera's Graceful Act.
Washington, June 6. Washington
rings with praise for the gallantry OF
Lieut.. Richmond P. Hobson and the
seven heroic seamen who Joined him in
facing death at Santiago de Cuba while
sinking the collier Merrimac in the
channel just before daybreak Friday
morning. The gallant eight went to
what seemed certain death with the APP
parent GOODNESS of men performing
quiet daily duties.
Admiral Cervera's offer to exchange
the prisoners will be availed of as soon
as possible. At Fort Mcpherson, Ga,
there are now imprisoned one Spanish
first lieutenant, seven second lieuten-
ants, one sergeant and nine privates,
Their names and ranks will be for
warded to Admiral Sampson and he will
be instructed to secure the release of
Hobson and his followers at the earliest
possible moment.
Constructor Hobson's bravery has put
Admiral Sampson in position where
he can await the arrival of the invad-
ing army. Troops are concentrating at
Tampa as fast as they can reach that
| city. It is estimated that nearly $4,000
volunteers and regulars will be poured
into Cuba to take Santiago from the
rear, while Sampson attends to the
armada.
Heroes OF the Merrimac.
LIEUT.. r. B. HOBSON.
DANIEL MONTAGUE.
GEORGE CHARETTE.
l. J. T.. MURPHY.
OSCAR BEIGNAN.
JOHN P. PHILLIPS.
JOHN KELLY.
RUDOLPH CLAUSSEN.
The officer hero of the Merrimac occasion
is an assistant naval constructor, and
| hence attached to the staff and heretofore
| not ordinarily engaged In line duty. He
entered the the naval academy from Alabama
| in May, 1885, and Is now rs years old. He
graduated in 1889 at head of his class, and
as consequence of this distinction was
sent to France by the government to take
course in naval architecture. When
| the war broke out he applied for active
duty, and was sent with three naval ca
| diets under his charge to the flagship OF
Admiral SIMPSONS Squadron He is de-
scribed as tall, athletic build, very quiet
| and unassuming manner, and would
not be picked out ordinarily as having the
high bravery his intimate associates knew
lay beneath the modest manner.
A Difficult Task.
AS to the prospects of the Merrimac
being removed by the Spaniards, as is
reported to be under way at Santiago
| the officials at the navy department de-
clare that this is likely to be difficult
dangerous and time-consuming opera.
ton. The hulk could be blown up by
the use of dynamite charges, which
would not be difficult to place in the
shallow water where the Merrimac lies
for the reports say the top of the funnel
is above water, indicating depth Of
about 40 or so feet, but it is believed
that the. wreck lies in sight from the
sea, and it is not doubted that Samp.
son will post some of the heavy iron.
clatls in such a position as to be able
to command the site with her heavy
guns and prevent the Spanish wreckers
from working. At night something
might be accomplished by the wreckers
but even that work would be fun of dan.
ger.
| The Great Exploit.
Kingston, Jamaica, June 6.-Fulle1
details of the sinking of the collier Mer
rimac in the harbor of Santiago, brough
here by dispatch boat, show that the
exploit of Assistant Naval Constructor
Hobson and his men is one of the mos
heroic in the history of naval warfare
Hobson and his brave men defiantly
entered the mouth of the harbor while
the strong light was streaking the east
ern horizon. This enabled the Spaniards
to discover them before their hazardous
journey was more than fairly begun
and subjected the plucky crew to ire
mendous shower of shot and shell.
How Merrimac Was Sunk.
On Board the Associated Press Dis
| patch Boat Dauntless, off Santiago de
| Cuba, June (via Kingston, Jamaica
June 6).-Rear Admiral Sampson, dur.
| ing Friday morning decided to close the
narrow harbor entrance of Santiago dc
Cuba by sinking the collier Merrimac
loaded with coal, in the channel. He
called for volunteers to go to almost GER
tain death and 1000 men offered them
selves. Lieut.. Hobson and six men were
chosen and atthree clock Friday morn.
ing the Merrimac, under her.own steam
entered the channel under terrible
Spanish fire. The vessel was riddled
| with projectiles, but she anchored anC
swung around. Lieut.. Hobson then sci
off an internal torpedo with an electric
attachment. There was an explosion
| the Merrimac sank, the channel was
closed up, and, apparently, admiral
Cervera will be unable to escape.
How the Heroes Were Saved.
Kingston, Jamaica, June 6. -Hobso1
and the hero crew of the Merrimac were
saved in the following manner: Unable
after the sinking of their vessel, to make
their way back through the storm oil
shot and shell, they rowed into the har
Dor to the Spanish flagship and were
taken on board unframed. The Span
ish admiral, under a flag of truce, on
Friday sent word to the American ad-
miral that he offered to exchange the
prisoners, adding that in the meanwhile
Hobson and his party would be treated
with the greatest kindness.
%s Exceeded Their Quotas.
Washington, June 6.-1n an order is.
sued at the war department. the official
announcement is made that the follow.
ing named states and territories re-
ceived under the presidents first cal
for troops an apportionment in excess
Of their combined quotas under. the frs,
and second calls, viz, Delaware, Idaho