The Mena star., 1898-06-08
AMERICAN BRAVERY.
Eight Naval Heroes Cheerfully Face
 Almost Certain Death.
Hobson and Seven Others Sank the Merri- mac In Santiago Channel and Taken Captives by spaniards-Most
 Daring Act Performed

three o'clock Saturday afternoon re- ceived the following dispatch:
 MOLE, Hayti June 4-Succeeded in sinking Merrimac in the channel of Santiago at four D m, June This was carried out most gallantly under the command of Naval Instructor Hobson and seven men. By . flag of truce from the Spanish admiral Cervera, sent in recognition of their bravery am informed all are prisoners of war, two slightly wounded Request authority to approve exchange if possible, between these and prisoners at Atlanta Six of the Spanish squadron in the harbor of Santiago unable to avoid being captured or destroyed
 SAMPSON
 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.
 Particulars of the Daring Feat
 Thursday night Admiral Sampson decided to
  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 it is made of. Sampson wanted eight men, He could have had every officer and man in the fleet 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 a cheer as they went to 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 man urer, straight for the entrance, over which he remaining batteries of Moro frown from one side and those of Socapa from the other In the dark of the early morning the Mer imac, without light showing anywhere. dashed well within the line of the forts be- fore she was discovered, our ships laundering at the enemy batteries to divert their atten- tion from the collier From the boat bearing tho flag of truce it was learned that the Merri- mac was frequently hit while steaming up the narrow channel, but that none of the shots dis abled her mach nery. More chan 10J project lies struck near her, over 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 the boat. but before long the Span iards saw that Hobson evidently intended to give himself up and ceased firing The Amer ican lieutenant rowed straight to Admiral Ger vera who received the prisoners courteously and treated them with respect due gallant men <,f 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 ear soon told that she had been detected by the Spanisrds, 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 10 destroy her by the mines they are supposed to have in the harbor but If 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 a 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 Cervera himself
 The Spanish commander sent word to Samp-
 
 eight American dare-devils He gallantly praised their heroism and offered to arrange an 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 fleet 1t is said that Hobson was se- lected because of his coolness in time Of danger and his knowledge of the explosives which he to in sending his ship to the bottom. The explosive used was dynamite bomb, operated by electricity. The bomb was placed well forward, and the electrical apparatus for exploding it was located deck at the stern In this way 1t possible to blow 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 Ovideo, of Ger veras stan. cheerfully agreeing to deliver any thing the Americans might desire to send Ovideo reported that Hobson was not hurt in any way and that the two men wounded by splinters were not seriously injured
 They wiIi Be Rewarded.
 NEW YORK, June GA Washington dispatch to the New York Herald says: 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. It 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 commenting 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