Evening star., 1898-06-11
SINKING THE MERRlMAC
Detailed Official Report From Admiral
Sampson.
1t Was Planned by Lieut.. Hobson-
PerilOus UndertakinS,

The Navy Department today posted the
following bulletin giving a detailed official
report from Admiral Sampson upon the
heroism of Lieutenant Hobson and his men
in sinking the Merrimac in the Santiago
channel:
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP NEW
YORK, of Santiago, June 3, 1S9S.-Permir
me to cali your special attention to Assist
ant Naval Constructor Hobson. AS stated
In a special telegram, before coming here l
decided to make the harbor entrance secure
against the possibility of egress by Spanish
ships by obstructing the narrow part of the
entrance by sinking a collier at that point.
Upon calling upon Mr.. Hobson for his pro-
fessional opinion as to a sure msthod OF
sinking the ship he manifested the most
liz ely interest in the problem. After sew
eral days consideration he presented a So
luton which he considered would insure
the immediate sinking of the ship when she
reached ths desired point in the channel.
This plan we prepared for execution when
We reached Santiago. The plan contem-
plated crew of only seven men and Mr..
Hobson. who begged that it might be in
trusted to him. The anchor chains were ar
ranged on deck for both the anchors for
ward and aft, the plan including the an
choring Of the ship almost automatically.
AS soon as I reached Santiago and had
the collier to work upon the details wer,
completed, and diligently prosecuted, hop
Ing to complete them in one day, as the
moon and tide served best the first night
after our arrival. Notwithstanding every
effort the hour Of O'Clock in the morning
arrived and the preparation was scarcely
completed. After a careful inspection of
the final preparations 1 was forced to re-
iinquish the plan for that morning as dawn
Was breaking. Mr.. Hobson begged to try
it at all hazards.
This morning proved more propitious, as
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 reappear from the harbor at O'Clock
feared that they had all persisted. A
steam launch which had been sent in
charge Oh Naval Cadet Powell to rescue the
men appeared at this time coming out
under persistent fire of the batteries but
brought none of the crew. A careful in
spectlon of the harbor from this ship show
ed that the vessel Merrimac had been sunk
In the channel.
This afternoon the chief of staff of Ad-
inird IerNera came out under a flag of
truce with a letter from the admiral ex-
toll1ng the bravery of the crew in an un-
usual manner. 1 cannot myself too earn
estly express my appreciation of the con-
duct OF Mr.. Hobson and his gallant crew.
venture to say that a more brave and
daring thing has not been done since Cush-
ing blew up the Albemarle
referring to the inspiring letter which
you addressed to the officers at the begin
ming Of the war, l sure you will offer a
suitable professional reward to Mr.. Hobson
and his companions.
Il must add that Commander J. NJ. Miller
rellnquished his command with the very
greatest reluctance, believing he would re-
tain his command under all circumstances
He was, however, finally convinced that the
attempt of another person to carry out the
multitude Of details which had been in
preparation by Mr.. Hobson might en-
danger its proper execution. l therefore
TOOK the liberty to relieve him for this rea-
son only. There Were hundreds of yoIun-
teers who We're anxious to participate:
there Were 100 from the Iowa, nearly as
many from this ship and large numbers
from all the other ships, officers and men
alike.
(SigneO w. 7. SAMPSON"