Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-06-09
Their Gallant Deed at Santiago Will
Live in History.
UnninchingIy Face Death Under
Fierce Spanish Fire, and Block the
Channel by sinking the Merri-
mac-Cervern's Graceful Act.

parent cOOlHeSS OI ulGu
quiet daily duties.
Admiral Cervera's offer to exchange
| the prisoners will be availed of as soon
as possible. At Fort Mcpherson, Ga,
! there are now imprisoned one Spanish
| first lieutenant, seven second lieuten-
ants, one sergeant and nine privates.
! Their names and ranks will be for
warded to Admiral Sampson and he will
be instructed to secure the release of
Hobson and his followers at the earliest
possible moment.
Constructor Hobson's bravery has put
Admiral Sampson in position where
he can await the arrival of the invad-
ing army. Troops are concentrating at
Tampa as fast as they can reach that
city. 1t is estimated that nearly $4,000
volunteers and regulars will be poured
into Cuba to take Santiago from the
rear, while Sampson attends to the
armada.
Heroes of the Merrimac.
LIEUT.. r. B. IIOBSON.
DANIEL MONTAGUE.
GEORGE CIGARETTE.
j. L. MURPHY
OSCAR BEIGNAN.
JOHN +. PHILLIPS.
JOHN KELLY.
RUDOLPH CLAUSSEN.
The officer hero of the Merrimac occasion
is an assistant naval constructor, and
hence attached to the staff, and heretofore
not ordinarily engaged in line duty. He
entered the naval academy from Alabama
in May, 1856, and is now 2S years old. He
graduated in 1889 at head of his class, and
as a consequence of this distinction was
sent to France by the government to take
a course in naval architecture. When
the war broke out he applied for active
duty, and was sent with three naval ca
diets under his charge to the flagship Of
Admiral SIMPSONS squadron. He is de-
scribed as tall, athletic build, very quiet
and unassumiug manner and would
not be picked out ordinarily as having the
high bravery his intimate associates knew
lay beneath the modest manner.
A Difficult Task.
AS to the prospects of the Merrimac
being removed by the Spaniards, as is
reported to be under way at Santiago,
the officials at the navy department de-
clare that this is likely to be difficult,
dangerous and Understanding opera
ton. The hulk could be blown up by
the use of dynamite charges, which
would not be difficult to place in the
shallow water where the Merrimac lies,
for the reports say the top of the funnel
is above water, indicating a depth of
about 40 or so feet, but it is believed
that the wreck lies in sight from the
sea, and it is not doubted that Samp-
son will post some of the heavy iron
clads in such position as to be able
to command the site with her heavy
guns and prevent the Spanish wreckers
from working. At night something
might be accomplished by the wreckers,
but even that work would be full of dan
ger.
| The Great Exploit.
Kingston, Jamaica, June 6.-Fuller
details of the sinking of the collier Mer.
rimac in the harbor of Santiago, brought
here by dispatch boat, show that the
exploit of Assistant Naval Constructor
Hobson and his men is one of the most
heroic in the history of naval warfare
Hobson and his brave men defiantly
entered the mouth of the harbor while
the strong light was streaking the east
ern horizon. This enabled the Spaniards
to discover them before their hazardous
journey was more than fairly begun
and subjected the plucky crew to a tire
mendous shower of shot and shell.
How Merrimac Was Sunk.
On Board the Associated Press Dis
patch Boat Dauntless, off Santiago dt
Cuba, June 4 (via Kingston, Jamaica
June 6).-Rear Admiral Sampson, dur
ing Friday morning decided to close the
narrow harbor entrance of Santiago de
Cuba by sinking the collier Merrimac
loaded with coal, in the channel. He
called for volunteers to go to almost GER
tain death and 1000 men offered them
selves. Lieut.. Hobson and six men were
chosen and at three o'clock Friday morn
ing the Merrimac, under her own steam
entered the channel under a terrible
Spanish fire. The vessel was riddleC
with projectiles, but she anchored ant
swung around. Lieut.. Hobson then Sc
off an internal torpedo with an electric
attachment. There was an explosion
the Merrimac sank, the channel wa.
closed up, and, apparently, Admira
Cervera will be unable TO escape.
How the Heroes Were Saved.
Kingston, Jamaica, June 6. - Hobsoi
and the hero crew OF the Merrimac wer,
saved in the following manner: Unable
after the sinking of their vessel, to max
their way back through the storm o
shot and shell, they rowed into the har
Dor to the Spanish flagship and wer'
taken on board unframed. The Span
ish admiral, under flag of truce, OF
Friday sent word to the American ad
miral that he offered to exchange tn
prisoners, adding that in the meanwhile
Hobson and his party would be treate'
with the greatest kindness.