The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-05
Washington, June 4--The navy dejart-
rnent has posted the following bulletin:
HOW THE HEROES WE'RE SAVED.
Crew ROwed to Spanish Flagship and
Surrendered.

Crew ROwed to Spanish Flagship and
Surrendered.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press
Kingston, Jamaica, June 4.-Hobson and
the hero crew of the Merrimac were saved
in the following manner. Unable, after
the sinking Of their vessel, to make their
way back through the storm of shot and
shau, they rowed into the harbor to the
Spanish flagship and were taken on board
unharmed The Spanish admiral, under
a flag Of truce, on Friday, sent word TO
the Amirican admiral that he offered to
exchange the prisoners, adding that in the
meanwhile Hobson and his party would be
treated with the sCaatest kindness.
Lieut.. Hobson appears to have carried
out his plan 20 the smallest details, eX-
Cept as regards the methods o. escape.
The row boat in which the crew We're to
attempt to escape was either blown up OF
shot to pieces, for Lieut.. Hobson and his
men driGted ashore on an old catamaran,
which was slung over the ships SIDE at
the last moment as an extra precauton.
Upon reaching shore the men were taken
prisoners and sent to Santiago city under
guard. Later they were taken to Moro
Castle, where they are now
Capt. Oviedo, Admiral Cervera's chief of
staff, who boarded the New York under
q flag of truce, did not give further de-
tails Of the capture.
The bravery of the Americans evidently
excited as much admiration among the
Spaniards as 1t did among the men of the
American feet. The prisoners Were per-
fectly safe and will probably be well treat
ed while they remain in Moro Castle
The fleet is wild with delight tonight
over the termination of the most daring
expedition since the destruction OF the
% ,,I1 }1,,
Gushing in 1854 The admiral Is just as
glad as the youngest jackie. Capt. Chad
wick of the flagship New York, who Is
usually most conservative, In speaking of
the incident said "Splenddl splendid!
too much cannot be said about it."
The general opinion is that no man ever
deserved recognition by Congress for per-
sonal bravery more than does Lieut.. Hob
son. His work was well done and his men
are safe. When he started on the eXpedi-
ton few thought he could accomplish his
object
Officers of the feet when questioned as
TO whether Capt. Oviedo could have had
any ulteriOr design in visiting the New
10 ork under a flag of truce, secuted The
sugges ton. saying that the visit was
prompted by pure chivalry on the part of
the Spaniards, and was noble of them.
Clausen. the New York $ coxswain, went
on the MerrimAc against odds. Nothing
could have kept him from that trip into
the Jaws Of death.
Ii is probable that the Spaniards will
try to blow up the Merrimac, but improb-
able that they will succeed
Speculation is rife as to the details of
how Lieut.. Hobson managed to blow his
ship up and lived to tell the tale. His
herosm has cleared up the situation well.
The Spaniards are now doubly penned in.
At quarters on the New York this even
,laf I'm Vi a
bareheaded crew on deck, thanked God
for having preserved Lieut.. Hobson and
the men under him.
Last night Chaplain Boyce invoked this
protection, but few then believed it pos
sthle thar his prayer could be granted.
Cadet Powell, who was the last man to
see Lieut.. Hobson before his start, and
who had charge Of the launch during its
perilous trip, after much needed sleep told
the story Of his experience. He said
Lieut., Hobson took a short sleep for a
IeW hours, which was often interrupted
A quarter to two he came on deck and
made final inspection. giving his last in
structions. Then we had a little lunch
Lieut. hODson was as cool as a cucumbef
About 80 o'clock, I took the men who
were not going on the trip into the launch
ana started for the Texas the nearest
snip but had to go back for one of the as
tatant engineers, whom Lieut.. Hobson
In1lly compelled to leave. / shook hands
with Lieut.. Hobsou the last Of oil. He said:
Powell. watch the boats crew when VIC
pun out. of the harbor We viii be cracks.
rowing thirty strokes TO the minute.
After leaving the Texas l saw the Mer-
rimac steaming slowly IN. IL was only
fairly dark then, and the shore was quite
visible. We followed about three-quarters
of a mile astern. The Merrimac stood
about mile TO the westward of the har-
hor, and seemed a bit mixed turning COM
p!etely around. Finally heading to the
east she ran down and then turned In.
I'VE were then chasing him. because
thought Hobson had lost his bearings.