The Republican., 1898-06-09
AOBSON. IHE BOLD.
Sinking of the MerrimaC
at Santiago Was
His Plan.
NO THOUGHT OF DANGER
AS Shown by a Talk Just Before
His Trip Began.
OLD GLORY FLYING ABOVE


OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June 8,
(via Port Antonio, Jamaica, June 5.
per the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dauntless. The following is a
detailed story Of the act of heroism
performed by Lieut.. Richard p. Hob
son, of Alabama, and his seven COM
panions in sinking the collier Merri-
mac across the channel leading into
the harbor of Santiago de Cuba:
The Spanish fleet is now helpless,
being held captive in Santiago har-
Dor. The narrow channel leading
into the harbor was completely block
ed early this morning, when the
United States collier Merrimac was
sunk across its entrance. 1t is now
impossible for the Spaniards to get
out, and it is equally impossible for
any vessel to get into the harbor
Therefore, the Spanish first-class
armOred cruisers Maria Teresa, Girls
tobal Colon, Vizcaya and Almirante
OquendO, with the torpedo destroyers
Furor and Pluton, are no longer of
much use to Spain.
This result was accomplished
through the heroism of the following
men, who were on the Merrimac:
Lieut.. Richmond p. Hobson, assist
ant naval constructor.
Daniel Montague, machinist.
George Charette, gunner's mate
j. c. Murphy, coXswain.
j. Osburn Diegman, coxswain.
George Phillips, machinist.
Francis Kelly, water tender.
Randulph Clausen, coxswain.
Clausen took part in the expedition
against orders.
They were all captured by the
Spaniards, but the Spanish Admiral
in recognition of their bravery, sent
word to the American Admiral, under
flag of trace, that he was willing to
exchange the prisoners, and assured
the American commander that they
would be treated with the greatest of
kindness. Money and provisions
have been sent to them and the nee
essary steps are being taken to 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 3 o'clock in the
morning. The Merrimac was lying
to the westward. Under cover of the
clouds over the moon she stole in to-
ward the coast and made her way to
the eastward, followed by a steam
launch from the New York, which
was intended to rescue the Merrimac's
crew after they sank the ship.
The launch had the following crew
on board
Naval Cadet George w. Powell,
Oswego, n. Y.
p. X. Peterson, coXswain.
H. Handford, apprentice of the first
class.
j. Mullings, coal passer.
G.. L. Russell, machinist of the sec
ond class.
In the launch were bandages and
appliances for wounded persons.
Guns Flash from the Hills.
From the crowded decks of the New
York nothing could be seen of the
Merrimac after she had gotten under
the shadow of the hills. For half an
hour officers and men of the fleet
strained their eyes peering into the
gloom, when suddenly the flash of a
gun streamed out from Moro Castle.
and then all on board the New York
knew the Merrimac was nearing her
end
The guns from the Spanish battery
opposite Moro Castle answered
quickly with more flashes and for
about twenty minutes the flashes of
fire seemed to leap across the harbor
entrance.
When the firing ceased it was
judged that Hobson had blown up
the Merrimac. For an hour the anx-
ious watchers waited for daylight.
Admiral Sampson and Captain Chad
wick were on the bridge of the New
York.
Powell and His Brave Lads Return.
AT five O'Clock the streams of smoke
were seen against the western shore,
close to the Spanish batteries, and
strong glasses made out the launch