The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-12
SIMPSONS HOBSON REPORT

Washington, June 1.-THE navy depart
ment todap posted the following bulletin,
giving a detailed official report from Ad
miral Sampson upon the heroismf of
Lieutenant Hobson and his men in sinking
the Merrimac in Santiago channel.
United States Flagship New York. off
Santiago. June 3, IS9S.-Permit me TO call
your special attention to Assistant Noval
Constructor Hobson. AS stated in a spe-
cial telegram before coming here, I de-
cided TO make the harbor entrance secure
against the possibility Of egress by Span
ism ships. by obstructing the narrow part
of the entrance by sinking collier at that
point Upon calling upon Mr.. Hobson for
his professional opinion as 10 sure
method of sinking the ship, he manifested
the most lively interest in the problem.
After several days consideration. ne pre-
scented a solution which ne considered
would insure the immediate sinking Of the
ship when she reached the desired point
in the channel This plan was prepored
for execution when We reached Santiago.
The plan contemplated crew Of only
seven men and Mr.. Hobson. who begged
that Il might be entrusted TO him. The
anchor chains were arranged on deck for
both the anchors. forword and aft. the
plan including the anchoring Of the ship
almost automatically
As soon as reached Santiago and
had the collier 70 work upon the details
were completed. and diligently prosecuted.
hoping TO complete them in one day, as
The moon and tide served best the first
night after our arrival Notwithstanding,
me hour Of o'clock in the morning ar
rived and preparation was scarcely COM
ple-ed. After a careful inspection Of the
final preparations + was forced 20 reljn-
quish the plan for that morning. as dawn
was breaking. Mr. Fobson begged 70 try
= AZ all hazards. This morning proved
more proputious and the start was made.
Nothing could have been more CALAMITY
executed. We waited impatieRtly after
the firing by the Spaniards had ceased
When they did not reappear from the
ha~bor al o'clock I feared that they
had all persisted = steam launch which
had been sent in charge u Naval Cadet
Powell 20 rescue the men appeared al this
time. coming out under persistent fire
OF the batteries. but brought none e the
crew. \ careful inspection OF the ha--
Dor from ship showed that the vessel M-r-
rinac had been sunk in The channel
This afternoon the chief Of sta@ Of
Admiral Cervera came out Under a flag
OF truce with letter from the a11.rsI
ex,olIing the brewery OF the crew ii Al
unusual manner.
y cannot myself Too earnestly express
ny appreciation % the conduc: - NJ
Hobson and MS gallant crew 7 ve1lare
70 say tia, a more brave and daring hing
has rot been done since Gushing blew up
the Albema-le.
Referring 70 the inspiring iet-sr wh cn
ven had addressed 70 ,he officers II ;he
beginning y the war. an sure yaI VII
offer 4 suitable professional reward %
Nj Hohson ard his companions.
I 1nust add that C5muauser J. y MI
Ie- reIinqu.shed his command WITH tAs
very greatest reluctar 9 believing ne
should retain his c5Inms75 Under al
circumstances He was, however. f15Eiy
convinced taat the attempt - another per
son 10 Carp ont the multitude q details
which had been IN preparation ~ NJ
Hobsou might eudan=sr rs proper exc
cutlou- I therefore took the u5erIy - -e-