The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-13
PRAISE FROM SAMPSON.
The AdmiraIs Report of Hobson's Great
Accomplishments.

Washington, June 1.-THE Navy De.
partmsnt today posted the following bull
letin giving detailed official report from
Admiral Sampson upon the heroism of
Lieutenant Hobson and his men in sink
ing the Merrimac in the Santiago chan
mel.
:. United States Flagship. New York, OF
Santiago, June 3, 1893.
Permit me to call your special at
tention to Assistant Naval Constructor
Hobson. AS stated in special telegram,
before coming here I decided 30 make
the harbor entrance secure against the
possibility of egress by Spanish ships by
obstruoting the narrow part OF the
entrance by sinking q collier at that
point. Upon calling upon MIR. Hobson
for his professional opinion as to a safe
method of sinking the ship, he manifested
the most lively interest in the problem.
After several days consideration he pre-.
sented a solution which he considered
would insure the immediate sinking Of
the ship when she reached the desired
point in the channel. This plan WAS pre-.
pared for execution when we reached
Santiago. The plan contemplated a crew
of only seven men and Mr.. Hobson, who
begged that it might be entrusted to him.
The anchor chains were arranged on
deck for both the anchors, fore and aft,
the plan including the anchoring of the
ship almost automatically. AS soon as
l reached Santiago and had theHoolher to
work upon. the details were completed
and diligently prosecuted hoping to com.
plete them in one day as the moon and
tide served best the first after our ar
rival Notwithstanding every effort the
hour of four o'clock in the morning az
rived and the preparation was scarcely
completed. After a careful inspection OF
the final preparations I was forced to re-
linquish the plan for that morning al
dawn was breaking. Mr. Hobson begged
to try 1t at all hazards.
This morning proved more propitious
as. "a prompt start could be made. NOTHING
could have been more gallantly executed.
We waited impatiently after the firing by
the Spaniards had ceased. When they
did not re-appear from the harbor at siz
O'Clock, l feared that they had al
persisted. A steam launch which had beet
sent in charge of Naval Cadet Powell tt
under persistent fire of the batteries bu
brought none of the crew. A careful In
spection Of the harbor from this shiE
showed that the vessel Merrimao hac
been sunk in the channel.
"This afternoon the chief of staff OF
Admiral Cervera came out under has
of truce with letter from the admira
exto]Iing the bravery of the crew in al
unusual manner.
Il cannot myself too earnestly express
my appreciation of the conduct OF Mr.
Hobson and his gallant crew. ! venture
to say that o more brave and daring
thing has not been done since CUSHING
blew up the Albemarle.
" Referring to the inspiring lette
which you addressed to the officers at tn
beginning of the war, am sure you will
offer a suitable professional reward Il
Mr.. Hobson and his companions.
81 must add that Commander J. Mil
Ter relinquished his command with TIN
very greatest reluctance believing he
should retain his command under al
circumstances. He was, however, finally
convinced that the attempt of anothe
person to carry out the multitude of de
tails which had been in preparation b.
Mr.. Hobson, might eIldanger its proper
execution. I therefore took the liberty t.
relieve him for this reason only. There
were hundreds of volunteers who wer
anxious to participate. There were 15
from the Iowa, and nearly as many from
this ship and large numbers from all tn
other ships, officers and men alike.
'tW. L. SAMPSON.