The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-12
LIEUT. HOBSON'S HEROIC DEED
ADMIRAL SAMPSON EXTOLS THE
OFFICERS BRAVERY.
Sinking of the Merrimac Planned
Entirely By Hobson, Who Begged
Permission to Go.

Washington, June 1.-THE navy de-
rartment today posted the following
bulletin, giving detailed official report
from Admiral Sampson upon the hero
ism of Lieutenant Hobson and his men
in sinking the Merrimac in the Santiago
channel:
United States Flagship New York,
! Off Santiago, June 8, 1898: Permit me
to call your special attention to As
sistant Naval Constructor Hobson. AS
stated in a special telegram before
coming here, l was ordered to make
harbor entrance secure against the pos
sibility of egress by Spanish ships, by
! obstructing the narrow part OF the en-
trance, by sinking a collier at that
point. Upon calling upon Mr.. Hobson
! for his professional opinion as to a sure
method of sinking the ship, he mani
| tested the most lively interest IN the
problem. After several days consider
alton, he presented a solution which he
considered would insure the immediate
sinking of the ship when she reached
the desired point in the channel. This
plan we prepared for execution when
we reached Santiago. The plan con-
templated a crew of only seven men,
and Mr.. Hobson, who begged that it
might be entrusted to him.
The anchor chains were arranged on
QeCh lOI DOlH dIlSlOiS, IOl Wi u ellA0 a. I,
the plan including the anchoring of the
ship almost automatically. AS soon as
1 reached Santiago, and l had the col
lier to work upon, the details were COM
pleted and diligently prosecuted, hop
ing TO complete them in one day, as the
noon and tide served best the first
night after our arrival. Notwithstand-
ing, the hour of 4 o'clock in the morn
ing arrived, and preparation was
scarcely completed. After a careful in
spection of the final preparations,
was forced to relinquiSh the plan Tor
that morning, as dawn was breaking.
Mr.. Hobson begged to try it at all haZ-
ards.
This morning proved more propit-
ious, as a prompt start was made.
Nothing could have been more gallant
ly executed. We waited impatiently
after the firing by the Spaniards had
ceased. When they did not re-aDpear
from the harbor, 1 feared that they
had all persisted. A steam launch
which had been sent in charge of Naval
Cadet Powell TO rescue the men, APP
peared at this time, coming out under
a persistent fire of the batteries, but
brought none of the crew. A careful
inspection of the harbor from the ship
showed that the vessel Merrimac had
been sunk in the channel.
This afternoon the chief of staff
OF Admiral CerNera came out unOer IL
flag of truce, with q letter from the
admiral, eXtolling the bravery of the
crew in an unusual manner.
4 cannot myself too earnestly express
my appreciation OF the conduct of Mr..
Hobson and his gallant crew. l ven
ture to say that a more brave and dar-
ing thing has not been done since !
Cushing blew up the Albemarle.
Referring to the inspiring letter |
which was addressed to the officers at !
the beginning of the war, 1 am sure
you will offer a suitable professional re-
ward to MI. Hobson and his comDan !
ions.
Il must add that Commander j. n. |
Miller relinouished his command with /
the very greatest reluctance. believing /
he would retain his command under all |
circumstances. He was, however, fin
ally convinced that the attempt of an
other person to carry out the multitude
of details which had been in prepara-
ton by Mr. Hobson might endanger its
proper execution. I, therefore, took the
liberty to relieve him for this reason
only.
There were hundreds of volunteers
who were anxious to participate; there
were $50 men in the crew, nearly as
many from this ship, and large num-
bers from all the other ships officers
and men alike. w. 7. SAMPSON"