Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-06-11
L~iteuenant Hobson might have been

Liteuenant Hobson might have been
lecturing to a class of cadets on h
theory OF how to build ships, SO delib-
crate was his manner. His chief anX-
iety was that in the dark he might
miss tie narrow cut and run onto the
shoals at the west of the entrance.
To prevent the possibility OF this, II
plan of allowing the Merrimac to run
in under the Spanish flag with the
fleet in feign.d pursuit, firing blank
cartridges and blazing the path to the
harbor entrance with s~earchbghts
was considered, but abandoned be-
cause, among other reasons, Lleuten-
ant Hobson and his volunteer crew did
not want TO die if their lives should be
sacrificed under false colors. They
wanted 10 go down with the stars and
stripes floating proudly from the Mer-
rimac. When the admirars consent
was obtained Lieutenant Hobson be-
came impatient Of all delay, and that
very night, Wednesday, after the moon
went down, he set the time for the at
tempt.
Hundreds OF Volunteers.
NOllflLttTS NtIt Ndli'' vi GIL ~
the ships of the fleet, and to the credit
Of the American navy, be it said that
few finched, while cheering crews
! stepped forward at the summons for
the extra hazardous duty. About 300
on board the New York, some $50 on
board the Iowa and a like proportion
from the other ships volunteered, but
Lieutenant Hobson, like the hero he
is, decided to risk as few lives as pos
siblc. He picked three men from the
New York and three from the Mcrrl-
mac. The latter were green IN the
service, but they knew the ship and
had pleaded hard to go, while n man
slowed himself away ON board the col
lier. Six other men selected from N"r'-
Gus ships, with Cadet Powell in com
mand, manned the launch which was
10 lie at the harbor mouth and take OFT
those who escaped.
Inc Mcrrimac was made ready, six
torpedoeS were strung along her port
side with wire connections TO the
bridge. Her anchors were dashed at
the bow and stern. Her cargo of coal
was shifted and her cargo ports were
opened that she would more readily
fiji when the time came 10 cut her an
chor lashings, open the sea cocks ana
tOrpedo her bulkheads. The work was
not completed until 3 o'clock Thurs
day morning, but with the sky paling
i'm the east Lieutenant lIobson headed
i'm on his desperate mission. AS the
Merrimac steamed forward Rear Ad-
miral Sampson, pacing the deck OF the
flagship, looked at his watch and at
the Frightening east and decided that
the Merrimac could not reach the en-
trance before broad daylight. Conse-
qucntIy the torpedo boat Porter, which
was alongside, was dispatched to recall
the daring officer.
Lieutenant Hobson sent back a pro-
test with "A request for permission to
proceed. But the admiral declined TO
allow him 10 take the risk and slowly
the Mcrrimac swung about.
Hobson Protests to the Admiral.
During the day Lieutenant Hobson
went aboard the flagship. His once
white duck trousers were as black as a
coal heavens; his old fatigue coat was
unbuttoned and his bcgrimcd face
deep furrowed by tense drawn lines,
but resolution shone in his eyes. So
absorbed was he i'm the task ahead of
him that, unmindful Of his appearance
and of all ceremony and naval cti-
mcttc. he told the admiral in a tone Of
command that he must not again be
inlcrfcrcd with.
Called Back by sampson.
81 can carry this thing through
said he, but there must be no more
recalls. My men have been keyed up
for twenty-four hours and under a
tremendous strain. Iron will break at
last"
Such was the indomitablc will and
courage with which he faced death and
glory.
When lIobson left the ship and the
extended hands of his shipmatcs, more
than one of the latter turned hastily
To hide the unbiddcn tear. But the
lieutenant waved them adicu with n
smile ON his handsome face.
This morning the Mcrrimac started
in shortly after 2 o'clock. The full
moon had disappeared behind a black
cloud bank i'm the west, leaving only a
gray mark Of hcaving waters and the
dim outline Of the Cuban hills show
ing against the unstarred Sky TO the
watchers on board the ships Of the
fleet. 1t was that calm hour before
dawn, when life is at its lowest ebb
and the tide runs out, carrying the
lives of mortals with it.