Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1898-06-09
sinking THE MERR|MAC.
Bravery of the Act Recognized by
Admiral Cervera.
Vessel Lies Across the Channel at Its Mar
rowest Point, Preventing Possibility
of Cervera's Escape-GaIlant
Crew Taken Prisoners.

Washington, June Cone of the
most daring feats ever performed by
Americas naval heroes was that of
the sinking of the Merrimac in the
channel at Santiago, details of which
have arrived. Although the daring
men who performed the hazardous
task are prisoners of war in Moro
Castle their early release is assured
and their bravery win be rewarded.
As soon as Sampson arrived at San
tiago it was decided TO block the chan
mel. The strong Notifications and
the narrowness of the channel would
entail too much risk in forcing them,
which coald not be justified on any
pretext,, as the capture Of the fleet
held in the harbor is only question
of time
Having reached this conclusion work
was Immediately begun to put the
plans into operation. The Merrimac,
large collier which had arrived with
coal was selected. Her cargo was
transferred to the holds of the war
ships and she was Immediately pre-
pared. Six torpedoes were placed
along one side in her hull below the
water line and connected by electric
wires to the bridge from where they
were to be exploded. All was made
ready Thursday morning about day
light but Sampson delayed the start
ing until o'clock Friday morning,
botter at that hour.
When the news spread that the Mar
rimac was to be sunk in the channel
and that call for volunteers would
likely be made there was great excite
ment. Immediately the Iowa signal
led that she had 140 men who had vol
unteered to drive the vessel into the
Jaws of death. Soon after the New
York signalled 200. Other vessels fol-
lowed rapidly until the number APP
preached 1000. When 1t was learned
that only six men would be taken
there was great disappointment.
The command of the dangerous ex-
pedition was given to Richmond Pear
son Hobson, a naval constructor, he
being selected because of his knowl
edge of torpedos. His plans were as
follows:
On deck were placed four men. One
was stationed near the anchor to cut
it loose on signal. One man will be al
the wheel and two stationed so that
they could man lifeboat which wal
being towed behind in which to es
cape. Two were to be stationed in
the engine room. One was to stop tn,
engine and the other knock out the
sea connections thus insuring th,
sinking of the ship whether the torpe
does exploded or not. The last man tc
leave the vessel was to be Lieutenan
Hobson himself, after exploding tn
torpedoes. All the men were dresses
in their underclothes, ready to swim
necessary. They had arms in water
; tight bags strapped to themselves, an
. rifles in the lifeboat. They We're. afte
. leaving the ship, to row to a stear
: launch which had followed them t
the mouth of the harbor to pick ther
up.
When the Merrimac reached the hal
Dor she was discovered and for twent
= minutes shot and shell rained aroun
her until she was sunk near Estrell
: battery, squarely across the channe
where it was planned to sink her.
: 1t is presumed the vessel was h
several times, but only two of the me
: were slightly wounded. The lifehot
!. must have been shot away, for the me
escaped TO the shore in a small bot
which was put on as an extra safeguar
They were captured and taken to sa
tiago and later transferred to Nor
Castle.
Admiral Cervera recognized the her
ism of the act, aud under flag of tru
sent Captain 0veido to the New Yor
where he informed Captain Samps
that the men were captured and wou
- be we'll treated, offering to exchan
!, them for prisoners held at Fort 4
Pherson, Ga. Further details W
lin hardly be known until the exchange
va- made.
!, The act is considered the most d
as Ing ever undertaken by American
zee val men, and reward is sure. III
lS ae, any of them escaped with their live
NJ, miraculous. The incident will live
nd history and be an incentive to brav'
ed for future generations.
lef Lieutenant Hobson is an instruc
be-. at Annapolis and has been with
fleet but short time.
-
right In Nevada Orphans Home.