The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-06-08

Hundreds of men and scores of of
fcers volunteered for the duty and
Commander Merrill, who had been the
captain of the Merrimac, begged per
mission of Admiral Sampson to go.
but Lieut. Hobson wanted only six
men By 10 O'Clock all but the men
who were going on the dangerous
errand had been taken from the Mer-
rimac aud the collier took position
near the New York to await the ap-
pointed hour. 1t was an impressive
night among the men Of the feet, for
few expected tina. the members OF
the little crew would see the sun rise.
The night was cloudy with dtfol
lightning flashes behind the dark
lines of the hostile shore. now and
then showing ,he grim shadows OF
the battlements Soon after 8 o'clock
the t..ack hall of the Merrimac began
TO drifs slowly towards the land and
in half hour was lost to sight 1t
was Lieut. Hobson's plan to steam
past Moro, swing crosswise the
channel. drop his anchors, open the
valves explode the torpedoes on the
pofs side, leap overheard preceded
bd his crew and make their escape
inja little iifeboat which was towed
astern, if possible. and if not to at
tempt TO swim ashore. ALI the men
we're heavily armed and ready 10
make q fierce resistance to capture
Scarcely had the ship disappeared
when fash from Morro's guns pro
claimed that she had been discovered.
Immediately the other batteries
around the harbor opened fire, but
the ship went steadily on; for this
morning the top of hermssts Can be
seen ID the water beyond Moro and
near the Estrella battery A heavy
cannon and musketry FIRE continued
for about half hour. and guns were
fred at intervals uHtil long after day.
light. None of the American ships
dared to Gre for fear of striking the
Merrimac's crew.
As daylight came on the steam
launch could be seen cruising close
to the harbor entrance. Until half
past 5 the search was continued and
then, under shower of Spanish
shells, which few wide of their mark.
Cadet Powell steamed away and q
half hour later boarded the New York
and reported to. Admiral Sampson
shat he believed the entire crew of
the Merrimac had been lost.
Not one Of them did he catch sight
OF. The Merrimac, he said, lay we'll
across the channel. her masts show
ing that Lieut. Hobson had done his
work well, sinking the ship almost in
the exact spot decided upon The
chanpel 10 not as wide as the Merri-
macs length. and it lie impossible
for the Spaniards to raise or destroy
the wreck under the guns of the
American feet
Admiral Cervera is no longer g
igure in the war The cruisers
Cristobal Colon, Infanta Maria Teresa,
Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo are
known to be inside, and it is believed
that two or three smaller warships,
possibly torpedo boats. are with
them.
HOBSON, OF ALABAMA
Naval Constructor Hobsoo. whose
name is oo every lip 10 Washington. is
we'll. koown at the navy department. as
he served 10 the bureau of construction
for several years His associates re
garded him as combining great ability
as student with the eoceutrioity ofteo
accompanying genius.
It was remarked BY one Of the chief
officials of the department to night that
Hobson Vas u mao who held naval reg
ulations coocerDing matters Of form in
contempt, and was oblivious to official
rules. These dare devil characteristics
we're Offset. however. BY bic recognized
ability 10 all branches Of naval science,
particularly architecture. Although
thc vonncest man in his csaes at the