Passaic City record., 1898-06-11

1ne lolloWln8 IS story or the act OF b er0-
Ism performed by Lieut.. Richmond P. Hob
son, OF Alabama, and his seven companions
In sinking the collier Merrimac across the
channel leading into the harbor OF Santiago
de Cuba:
The Spanish fleet Is now helpless, being
neid captive in Santiago harbor. The mar
row channel leading into the harbor was
completely blocked when the United States
coiller Merrimac was sunk across its en-
trance. 1t is now impossible for the Span
iards to get out, ard it is equally impossible
lor any vessel to get into the harbor. There
lore, the Spanish flrst-class armored cruisers
MARIA Teresa, Cristobal Colon, Vizcaya and
Almlrante Oquendo, with the torpedo de-
stroyers Furor and Pluton. are no longer
OF much use to Spain.
Ihls result was accomplished through the
herolsm OF the following men, who were on
the Merrimac.
Lieut.. Richmond P. Hobson. assistant
naval constructor
Daniel Montague, machinst.
George Charette, gunner's mate
.. =. Murphy. coxswain.
). Osborn Diegnan, coxswain.
George Phillips, machinist.
Francis Kelly, water tender.
Clausen took part In the expedition against
orders.
They were all captured by the Spaniards,
out the Spanish Admiral, in recognition Of
their bravery, sent word to the American
Admiral, under flag of truce. that he was
Wiling to exchange the prisoners, and as
sured the American commander that thew
would be treated with the greatest kindness
uicio
tnem and the necessary steps are being taken
70 bring about their exchange.
"A Steam Launch for Rescue Work.
The Merrimac had on board six hundred
tons OF coal when she was scuttled across
the channel.
Lieutenant Hobson started on his daring
errand at o'clock in the morning. The
Merrtmac was lying to the westward. Un-
der cover of the clouds over the moon she
stole In toward the coast and made her way
to the eastward, followed by steam launch
from the New York, which was intended to
rescue the Merrimac's crew after thew sank
the ship. The launch had the following
crew on board:
Naval Cadet George W. Powell. of Oswe-
so. N. Y.
+. II. peterson, coXswan.
ii. Handford, apprentice of the first
class.
J. Mullings, coal passer.
&. l.. Russell, machinist OF the second
class.
In the launch were bandages and appli-
ances for wounded persons.
Guns Flash from the Hills.
From the crowded decks OF the New
YORK nothing could be seen OF the Merrimsc
after she had gotten under the shadow of
the hills. For half an hour officers and men
on the f1eet strained their eyes peering into
the gloom, when suddenly the flash of
gun streamed out from Moro Castle, and
enen all on board the New York knew the
Merrimac was nearing her end.
Ihe guns from the Spanish battery oppo-
site MORO Castle answered quickly with
more flashes and for about twenty minutes
flashes OF fire seemed to leap across the
hartor entrance.
when the firing ceased 1t was judged that
Hopson had blown up the Merrimac For
an hour the anxious watchers waited for
daylight. Admiral Sampson and Captain
Chadwick were on the bridge OF the New
York.
Powell and His Brave Lads Return,
AT O'Clock thin streams Of smoke were
seen against the western shore, close to the
spanish batteries. and strong glasses made
out the launch OF the New York returning
to the flagship. Scarcely had the small
craft been sighted before puff OF smoke is
sued from battery on the western arm of
the harbor and a shot plunged far over the
launch. Then, for fifteen minutes, the big
guns ashore kept up an irregular fire on
The little launch. AS the shells fell without
hitting the object they were intended for
the men on the New York jeered at the
Spanish Workmanship and cheered their
shipmates.
The launch came alongside the flagship
at els A. NJ, but she did not have any Of
the crew OF the Merrimac.
Cadet Powell reported that he had been
unable to see any signs of the Merrlmac's
crew.
1t developed that with great bravery, the
cadet had gone right under the batteries
and only returned when all hope of taking
on board the crew OF the Merrimac had. to
be abandoned.
Merrinac Sank in Right Spot.
Cadet Powell also reported that he had
clearly seen the Merrimacs masts sticking
up just where Hobson hoped to sink her.
north OF the Estrela battery and we'll past
the guns OF MORO Castle. But OF the he
roes who had penned the Spaniards in there
was not sound or sign.
Admiral Sampson said: 81 am pretty sure
the attempt was successful. hope all those
brave fellows are not captured