The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-06
Copyright 1898 by Associated Press.

on Santiago de Cuba, June 3, a.
m. via Port Antonio, Jamaica, June
4, by Associated Press Dispatch Boat
Dauntless delayed in transmission).-
The following is a detailed story of the
act of heroism performed by Lieuten-
ant Richmond +. Hobson and his seven
companions in sinking the collier Mer-
rimac across the channel leading into
the harbor of Santiago de Cuba: The
Spanish fleet is now helpless. being held
captive in Santiago de Cuba harbor
The narrow channel leading into the
harbor was completely blocked early
this morning when the United States
collier Merrimac was sunk across it's
entrance. 1t is now impossible for the
Spaniards to get out. and 1t is equally
impossible for any vessel to get into
the harbor.
Therefore, the Spanish frst-cIass ar
mored cruisers Maria Teresa, Cristobal
Colon. Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo.
with the two torpedo boat destroyers
Furor and Pluton, are no longer of any
use to Spain. This result was accom-
plished through the heroism of Lieu
tenant Richmond Hobson. assistant
naval constructor. and Daniel Mon
tague. George Charette, ]. c. Murphy.
Oscar Deignan. John p. Phillips, John
Kelly and III. Clausen. The last named,
a coxswain Of the New York, took part
in the expedition against orders. They
were all captured by the Spaniards. but
h<. Cr.a i-l, I'd. t.
their bravery, sent word to the Ameri-
can admiral under a flag of truce, that
he was willing to exchange the prison.
ers. and assuring the American COM
mander that they would be treated with
the greatest kindness. Money and pro-
the necessary steps are being taken to
bring about their exchange.
These Are the Heroes.
Montague is chief master at arms OF
the New York. He has served four
years in the navy; is 90 years of age,
and his home is in Brooklyn.
George Charette is a gunner's mate Of
the first class on board the New York
He has served IA years in the navy, is
81 years of age, and resides at Lowell,
Mass.
j. C. Murphy is a coxswain Of the
Iowa.
Oscar Deignan is a coxswain Of the
Merrimac, and is about "a years of age
John p. Phillips is a machinist of the
first class, belonging to the Merrimac.
n iS ~ nd h e. L..
IN Boston.
John Kelley is a water tender, about
35 years of age. His home is near
Glasgow. Scotland.
II. Clausen, who slipped on board the
Merrimac without permission in or
der to take part in the expedition, is
a coxswain of the New York.
Lieutenant Richmond Pearson Hob
son, assistant naval constructor. was
born at Greensboro, Ala, August Il,
1870: was appointed after a competitive
examination to the naval academy i'm
May. 1855. He was the youngest men,
Der of his class, but graduated at the
head of his Is companions. He has
studied engineering under the auspices
Of the United States government in
France. and was made assistant naval
constructor in 1891. He is the author
Of a semi-political work. entitled. The
Situation and outlook in Europe" and
was assigned to the flagship New York
when Rear Admiral Sampson sailed for
the West Indies.
The three men from the Merrimac's
crew were all green hands. shipping
recently northward. The Merrimac had
on board 800 tons of coal when she was
scuttled across the channel Leuten-
ant Hobson started on his daring er-
rand at o'clock this morning. The
Merrimac was lying to the westward.
Under cover of the clouds over the
moon she stole towards the coast and
made her way to the eastward. followed
hU sfaa m launch from fha Naky Work