The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-06

whole party had been C; 4 ured and that
only two of the heroes were injured.
Lieut. Hobson was not hurt. 1t appears
that the Spanish admiral was so struck
with the courage of the Merrimac's crew
| that he decided to inform Admiral Samp.
on that they had not lost their lives. but
were prisoners of war and could be ex-
changed. The dingy portion of the pro-
gramme does not appear to have been
carried out, which leads to the belief that
she may have been smashed by shot, for
it seems Hobson and his men drifted
ashore on an old catamarin which had
been slung over the Merrimac's side at
the last moment, as an extra precaution.
They were captured and sent to Santi-
ago under guard, previous to being trans
ferred to MORO castle, where they are
now understood to be confined.
Money and provisions were sent to the
prisoners through Capt. Oviedo and it is
ing the steps necessary TO bring about
their exchange.
The feet tonight Is in state of delight
ed enthusiasm and the admiral is just as
happy as the youngest sailor The gem
eral opinion is that no man ever deserved
recognition for personal bravery more
than does Lieut.. HobSon.
Cadet Powell, who was the last man to
see Lieut.. Hobson before his start and
who had charge of the launch during its
perilous trip, after much needed sleep,
told the story of his experience. He said:
Lieut.. Hobson took a short sleep for a
few hours which was often interrupted
At quarter to two he came on deck and
made a final inspection, giving his last
instructions. Then he had a little lunch.
Hobsop was as cool as q cucumber. At
about $50 O'Clock ! took the men who
We're not going on the trip into the
launch, and started for the Texas, the
nearest ship; but, had to go back for one
of the assistant engineers, whom Hobson
finally compelled to leave. / shook hands
with Hobson last Of all. He said:
"Powell, watch the boats crews
when we pull out Of the harbor.
We will be cracks, rowing thirty
strokes to the minute
After leaving the Texas saw the
only fairly dark then and the shore was
quito visible. We followed about three
quarters Of mile astern. The Merrimac
stood of a mile to the westward of the
harhor and seemed a bit mixed, turning
completely around. Finally heading to
| the east, she ran down and then turned
in We were then chasing him because
I thought Hobson had lost his bearings.
When Hobson was about 200 yards from
the harbor, the first gun was fired from
the eastern bluff. We were then half a
| mile off shore close under the batteries.
The firing increased rapidly. We steamed
in slowly and lost sight of the Merrimac
in the smoke which the wind carried off
shore.
''It hung heavily. Before Hobson could
have blown up the MerriInac the western
battery picked us up and commenced
firing. They shot wild, however, and
we only heard the shots. We ran in still
closer to the shore and the gunners lost
sight OF us. Then we heard the explosion
of the torpedoes on the Merrimao.
Until daylight we waited just outside
the breakers, half mile to tho westward
of Moro, keeping sharp lookout for
the boat or for swimmers; but saw moth
ing. Hobson had arranged to meet us at
that point, but thinking that someone
might have drifted out. we crossed in
front of Morrow and the mouth of the
harbor, to the eastward.
cat about O'Clock we crossed the har-
Dor again, within quarter of mile. and
stood to the westward. In passing W :
saw one spar Of the Merrimao sticking
out of the water. We Rugged the shore,
| just outside Of the breakers for a mile,
and then turned towards tho Texas, when
the batteries saw us and opened fire. 1t
was then broad daylight. The first shot
| fired dropped 30 yards astern, but the
other shots went wild.
81 drove the launch for all she was
worth, finally making the New York.
The men behaved splendidly.'
| ANOTHER STORY.
The DanntIess Tells ofAchievement Of Men
| of Merrimac.
I(Copyright 1898 blythe Associated Press.
= n. Eoard tho A ssociatad Praas Deenatch