The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1898-06-10
SINKING THE MERRINAC.
Bravery Of the Act Recognized by
Admiral Oervera,
Vessel lie. Across the Channel AZ its Var
rowest Point. Preventing Possibility
Of Cervera's Escape-Gallsnt
Crew Taken Prisoners.


Washington, June 6.--One 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 ia assured
and their bravery will be rewarded
As soon a. Sampson arrived at San
tiago II 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 cosld not be justified on any
pretext.. an the capture Of the fleet
held 10 the harbor Is only question
| of time
Having reached this conclusion work
was Immediately begun 10 put the
plans into operation. The Mcrrimac,
a 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 10 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,
deeming the chances for success TO be
better at that hour.
when the news spread that the Mar
rimnc was TO be sunk In the channel
and that a call for volunteers wonld
likely be made there was great excite
ment Immediately the Iowa signal
led that she had 40 men who had vol
unteorcd TO drive the vessel into the
Jaws Of death. Soon after the New
York signallcd 200. Other vessels fol.
lowed rapidly until the number APP
preached 1000 When II was learned
that only six men would be taken
there was great disappointment
rhe command OF the dangerous ex.
petition was given TO Richmond Pear.
son Hobaon, 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 10 cut
Il loose on signal one man will be ut
the wheel and two stationed 80 that
they could man a lifcboat which was
being towed behind In which TO cs-
cape. Two were TO be stationed In
the engine room. One was 10 stop the
engine and the other knock out the
sea connections thus insuring the
sinking OF the ship whether the torpe-
does exploded or not The last man TO
leave the vessel was 90 be Lieutenant
IIobson himself after exploding the
, torpedoes All the men were dressed
. In their underclothes, ready 10 swim "
necessary. They had arms in water
, tight bags strapped 10 themselves, and
I. rifles In the lifeboat They were, after
' leaving the ship, 10 row 10 n steam
: launch which had followed them to
the mouth OF the harbor 70 pick them
up.
When the Merrlmac reached the har-
Dor she was discovered, aud for twenty
minutes shot aud shell rained around
her until she was sunk near Estrella
battery, squarely across the channel,
=. where II was planned 10 sink her.
\ II is presumed the vessel was hit
:. several times, but only two Of the men
were slightly wounded, The lifcboat
must have been shot away, for the men
escaped TO the shore In small boat
3D. which was put on ~ an extra safeguard
They were captured and taken TO Same
A tiago and later transferred to Moro
Castle.
u Admiral Corycra recognized the hero
d Ism OF the act, aud under a flag Of truce
sent Captain Oveido 10 the New York.
;. where he informed Captain Sampson
q that the men were captured and would
"a be well treated, Offering to exchange
!. them for prisoners held at Fort Me-
Pherson, Ga. Further details will
n hardly DO known until the exchange IA
E, made.
Il The act is considered the most dar.
y Ing ever undertaken by American ma.
Z val men, and reward Is sure. That
q any Of them escaped with their lives Is
Il miraculous The Incident will live In
d history and be an incentive TO bravery
y for future generations
!. Lieutenant Hobson is an Instructor
p at Annapolis and has been with the
feet but short time.
Fight In Nevada Orphans Home.
. ] INrgnu Nav Itsua Il A. .HafNtua