The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-06-10
MOST DARING FEAT.
Lieut.. HObson and Seven Brave Men
Add LusHe to Americas History -
They Ran the 8Ierrimao iRto- santlsgs =
Channel and sank Her-FindIng Es-
cape Impossible. They ROssed- - -.
to Spanish ship

WASHINGTON, June 6.-The navy de-
partment has posted the following
bulletin; The navy Department. a.
three o'clock Saturday afternoon re.
ceiyed the following dispatch:
MOLE. Hayti June A-Succeeded in sinking
bEerrimac in the channel Of Santiago at four
p m, June 2 This was carried ont most
CALAMITY under the command OF Naval
Instructor Robson 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
20 approve exchange. II possible. between
these and prisoners at Atlanta six Of the
Spanish squadron in the harbOr OF Santiago
unable TO avoid being captured OF destroyed.
SAMPSON
The name Of HObson has gone on
the list of American heroes, with Law
renee aLd Paul Jones, Perry and Cush-
ing and the rest For 1t 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-
hberately 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 %
send the AIerrimac inland sink her ut the chan
mel > narr0WcSt part He called FOR volunteers
explaining that 10 was q desperate mission,
death being almost certain for all those who
Fentured in. The navy showed the stun il is
made o. Sampson wanted eight men He
could have had every officer and man IN the
feet Everyone was more than ready. Many
begged Tor the chance with fearful eyes But
Hobson and seven others were selected. and
the rest hId 10 content themselves with giving
the heroes o cheer as they went 10 their death
or fame
Just before three O'Clock Friday morning the
cOlliei, deeply laden with ballast material and
some coal. was headed. without preliminary
maneuver. straight for the entrance. over
which The remaining batteries Of Moro frowu
from one side and those OF Socapa from the
other In The dark OF the early morning the
Merrimac, without a light showing anywhere
dashed we'll within The line Of the forts be-
fore she was discovered, our ships numbering
At the enemy batteries To divert their atten-
tion from the collier From the boat bearing
the flag OF truee 10 was learned that the Merri-
mac was frequently hit while stcaming up the
narrow channel. but that none Of the shots dis
abled her mach merry More than I11 prOiect-
lies struck near her. over a doz IN struck home
and two OF nor intrepid mzu were bruised by
splinters from The woodwork
When Hobson left the ship in the boat he
made an effort 70 ros- OUT Of The harbOr and re-
gain the American feet, Int ne had gone too
far up the cham Z and he soon saw that the
effort TO pass all the aroused batteries in the
then daylight would mean the sacrifice Of al
his crew. So he turned ana rO-s-d straight 20
the Spanish squadron Some shots were still
sent aft r the boat. but before long the Span
iaris saw that HobSon evidently intended 10
give himself up and ceased firing The Amer
lean lieutenant rOwed straight 10 Admiral Ger
vera. who received the prisoners courteously
and treated them with respect due gallant NEE
who were prisoners OF war IL was uadOubted-
linn
the dash Of the MerrimaC which LED him TO send
out the flag Of truce ana the Oner OF an honor
able exchange
Ths eye could not follow the Merrfmac, but
the ear 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 20 bear on her The Spauiards
may also have cndsavOred 20 destroy her by
the mines they are supposed to have in the
harbO- but II the attempt was made It did not
succeed. for the MC-rimac went 10 the point 70
which Admiral sampson had directed HObsOn
10 take hcr. There she was anchored AID cOOlly
swung asress the channel Then HobsOn blew
a hole ia her bottom. and with his seven men.
only two Of whom had been injured, took
boat All that is yet known u that heroic
dash, beycud these bare facts, comes from Adj
miral Ce-yera himself
TIE Spaaish commander sent word TO Samp-
son. unGcr q flag OF truce, OF the capture OF the
eight Al-ricau dare-dsvils- he CALAMITY
praised their heroism and offered 20 arrange
eEChau e Tor Spanish prisoners now in the
hands o. tls United States The Spauiards on
the truce boat declared that HoBson and his
men were given q cheer as they came up TO the
Spanish ships the sailors recognizing the
bravery o. the deed.
In the Il ,et II IS said that Hobson was Sc
lectad .rause OF his GOODNESS in time Of danger
and his knowledge Of the explosives which he
vas 70 U q In sending his ship 10 the bottom.
The exp gsive used was dynamite bomb.
operatcI uy electricity The bomb was placed
-ranH . 81 lH rHa.H HsHn -1Hn
expio3iu-s g was loclfed or deck ~ the stern.
Il This WAY it was possible ~ bow hole il
The collier and then take % the boats before
the biz vessel went down
The tru - boat took back . HoJsou and his
men e5othing and money. Capt Ovideo. Of Ger
vera's s. z. chcerfully agreeing 10 deliver any
tling fhg Americans might d-sire 70 send.
Oyiceo r-s-orted that HObson was not hurt in
ans way and that tie two meu wounded b.
Epiinters srere not seriously Injured
They WtI b Rewarded.
NEW YORK, June "a Washington
dispatch TO the New York Herald says;
Naval Constructor -Hobson and the
seven brave men who assisted him IN
sinking he Aerrinec, who were all
taken prisoners by admiral CerYera,
viii be liberated as soon as possible.
u Is the belief Of the authorities here
that Gen. BlancO and Admiral CcrFera
viii not hesitate to agree to an exc
change Of prisoners President McKiu~
icy viii. IN all probability, reward Hob
son BY commenting him 70 the senate
for extraordinary herOism." It's also
proposed TO substantially recognize
the gallantrY Of the men, who, under
his command, rislzet their lives TO
bring victory TO their country. If they
be 8 { for il each man viii be appoint
ed warrant officer and, in any event.
all Viii be awarded medals Of honor IN
recognition o. their bravery. The
promotion Of the men % warrant rank
viii result IN placing them in posi-
tons OF command. IN providing them
with Better accommodation aboard
ship and IN benehBing them faap-
cialiy-
BryaR-s Re=Iment 10 Co 80 Manila
LISCOLN. Eeb-, June g. Adj Gen.
Barry has receiVed a telegram frcm
Seeretary Alger saying that the Third