Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1898-06-16
OFFICIAL REPORT.
edm. Sampson Tells of the heroism Of
Lieut. Hobson and His Men.
In" Wan "f sinking the Merrimac Was
u"hsnn'- The American Admiral
Considers the Deed One OF the
EritNcSt since Cushlnc's.

WA~HINDruN, tune IL. The navy de-
partmrnt Saturday posted the follow
ing bulletin giving detailed official
hcrui>m of lirut. lIunSon aud his
men in sinking thu Mrrrmac in the
Santiago channel:
"INIrIp STATES EIhGSUIr NEW
luEk. orr ShHTihGo. June 3. 1898. -
Permit me To call your special atten-
ton To Assistant Naval Constructor
ll"h>on. A. stated in a special trlr-
gram, before coming here | decided t.
against the possibility of cgrcsS 10y
spanish ships 10y obstructing the
narrow rart of the entrance 10y
sinking a collier AT that point. l'pon
fcSsionai opinion as To sure method
of sinking the ship he manifested the
most lively interest in the problem.
After several days consideration ne
presented solution which he con>id-
cred would insure the immediate sink
ing of the ship when she reached the
desired point in the channel.
This plan We prepared for execution
when We reached Santiago. The plan
contemplated a crew of only seven
men and Mr.. IlobSon, who begged
that it might br intru>tcd Ia him
The anchor chains were arranged on
Id 4
aft, the plan including the anchoring
of the ship almost automatically.
As soon a. reached Santiago and |
had the collier to work upon and tho
details were completed. and diligently
prosecuted hoping to complete them
in one day a. the moon and tide served
best the first night after our arrival.
Notwithstanding every effort the hour
of o'clock in the morning arrived,
and the preparation was scarcely COM
plcted. After "A careful inspection of
the final preparations | was forced To
rciinquiNh the plan for that morning
as dawn was breaking. Mr.. IIobson
begged To try it at all hazards.
This morning proved more propi-
ti"uS, as a prompt start could he made.
Nothing could have been more gallant
lvexecuted. We waited impatiently af-
ter the firing 10y the Spaniards had ceas-
ed. When they did not re-appcar from
the harbor at 6 o'clock | feared that
they had all persisted. A steam launch,
which had been sent in charge of Naval
Cadet Powell to rescue the men, ap
pearcd at this time coming out under
Il persistent fire of the batteries, but
brought none of the crew. \ careful
inspection of the harbor from this ship
showed that the vessel Mcrrimac had
been sunk in the channel. Z
This afternoon the chief of staff of
Adm. Cervera came out under flag
of truce with letter from the adj.
miral eXtolling the bravery of the
crew in an unusual matter
can not myself too earnestly ex-
press my appreciation of the conduct
of Mr.. IIobson and his gallant crew.
| venture to say that more brave and
daring thing has not been done since
Cushing blew up the Albermarle.
Referring to the inspiring letter
which you addressed to the officers at
the beginning of the war / am sure
you will offer a suitable professional
reward to Mr.. Hobson and his com
panions
must add that Commander J. NJ.
Miller relinquished his command with
the very greatest reluctance believing
he would retain his command under
all circumstances. He was, however
finally convinced that the attempt
of another person to carry out the
multitude of details which had been in
preparation by Mr. Hobson might en-
danger its proper execution. / there
fore took the liberty to relieve him for
this reason only. There were hun
dreds of volunteers who were anxious
10 participate; there were $50 from
the Iowa, nearly as many from this
ship, and large numbers from all the
other ships, officers and men alike.
(Signed) Nv. T. SAMPSON"