The age-herald., 1898-06-12
Report From the Admiral on
 Sinking of Merrimac.
PLAN GALLANTLY EXECUTED
A More Daring Deed Has Not Been Done Since Cushing Blew Up the Albe- marie - CeVera Extolls
 Crews Bravery.

Washington, June 1.-The navy depart ment today posted the following bulletin, giving a detailed official report from Ad- miral Sampson upon the heroism of Lieu tenant Hobson and his men in sinking the Merrmac in the Santiago channel:
 United States Flagship New York, off Santiago, June 3, 1898. Permit me to call your special attention to Assistant Naval special telegram, before coming here l de- cided to make the harbor entrance secure against the possibility of egress of the Spanish ships by obstructing the narrow part of the entrance by sinking collier at that point. Upon calling upon MT. Hob- son for his professional opinion as a sure method of sinking the ship he manifested the most lively interest in the problem.
 Hobson's solution
 After several days consideration he pre- scented a solution which he considered would assure the immediate sinking of the ship when she reached the desired point in the channel This plan we pre- pared for execution when we reached San tiago. The plan contemplated a crew of only seven men and MT. Hobson, who begged that it might be entrusted to him. The anchor chains were arranged on deck for both the anchors, forward and aft, the plan including the anchoring of the ship almost automatically. "As soon I reached Santiago had the collier worked upon and the details were completed and diligently prosecuted, hopng 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 ar- a,,d ft<ar. lt completed. After a careful inspection Of the final preparations I was forced to re- linquish the plan for that morning, as dawn was breaking. MT. Hobson begged to try it at all hazards
 'This morning proved more propitious, as a prompt start could be made. Nothing could have been more gallanty executed. We waited impatiently after the firing of the Spaniards had ceased. When Hobson and crew did not reappear from the harbor at o'clock, feared that they had all perished. A steam launch which had been sent in charge of Naval Cadet Powell to rescue the man appeared at this time, coming out under a persistent fire Of the batteries, but brought none of the crew. A careful inspection of the harbor from this ship showed that the vessel Merrimac had been sunk in the channel.
 Ceryera's Words of Praise
 "This afternoon the chief of staff of Ad- miral Ceryera came .oSt c.nder nag or truce with a letter from the admiral, ex- tollpS tiie bravery of the crew in an un- usual manner.
 'I cannot myself too earnestly express my appreciation of the conduct of MT. Hobson and his gallant crew. I venture to say that a more brave and daring thing has not been done since Cushing blew upsthe Albemarle "Referring to the inspiring letter winch you addressed to the officers at the begin ming of the war, I am sure you will offer a. suitable professional reward to Mr. Hop- son and his companions.
 q must add that Commander J. M. Miller relinauished hEs 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 det ails which had been in prep aration by MT. Hobson might endanger it's proper execution. I therefore took the lio- erty to relve him for this reason only.
 '"There were hundreds of volunteers who were anxious to participate. There were l50 from the Iowa, nearly as many from this ship and large numbers from all other ships, officers and men alike.
 (Signed) "W. T. SAMPSON
 
 To See His Dying Mother
 Warren Hawkins, a negro convict from