The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-06-16
SIMPSONS REPORT on noBsoM

Praises His Exploit aud States 1t IL the
Most Notable Since Cushing Destroyed
the Albemarle.
WARRINGTON, June 1.-THE Secre-
tary of the Navy made public this
letter, received from Sampson this
morning:
U. S. Flagship New Y ork, June 3, 1898.
Sir-Permit me to call your special
attention to the brave conduct of As
sistant Naval Constructor Hobs0n. As
stated in q special telegram before
coming here, I decided to make the
harb0r entrance secure against the
egress of the Spanish ships BY obstsuct-
ing the narrow part BY sinking .
collier at that point. Upon calling
upon Mr.. Hobson for his professional
opinion as to sure method Of sink
ing ship, he manifested . most live
ly interest in the problem. After
ented a solution which he considered
would insure the immediate sinking
of the ship when she had reached the
desired point in the channel. This
plan was prepared before We reached
Santiago. The plan contemplated .
crew Of only seven men, and Mr.. Hob.
son, who begged that it might be en-
trusted to him. The anchor chains
were ranged upon deck for. both an
ch0rs, forward and aft, the plan in
cludlng anchoring Of the ship almost
automatically.
AS soon as l reached Santiago and
had collier to work upon, the details
we're commenced and diligently prose-
cuted, hoping to complete them in one
day, as the moon and tide served best
the night after our arrival. N0tWith-
standing every effort, the hour Of 4
O'Clock in the morning arrived and
preparations was scarcely completed.
After careful inspection of the final
preparations, was forced to felinquish
the plan for that morning as dawn was
breaking. Mr.. Hobson begged to try
it at all hazards.
This morning proved more pr0pi-
tious, as q prompt start could be made.
Nothing could have been more gal
lantly executed. We waited inpatient
ly after firing by the Spaniards had
! ceased. When they did not reappear
from the harbor at 6 o'clock feared
they had all perished. A steam launch
which had been sent in charge of Naval
Cadet Powell to rescue the men, ap-
peared at this time, coming out under
persistent fires from the batteries, but
brought none Of the crew. A careful
inspection of the harb0r from this
ship showed that the Merrimac had
been sunk in the channel.
This afternoon the chief of staff OF
| Admiral Cervera came out under flag
of truce from the admiral, ext0lling in
an unusual manner the bravery of the
crew. l cannot myself too earnestly
express my appreciation Of the con.
duct of Mr.. HObson and his gallant
crew. I venture to say that . more
brave and daring thing has not beer
done since Cushing blew up the Abe
marie.
Referring to the inspiring lettel
which you addressed to the officers q
the beginning Of the war, am sur
lyou will offer suitable professional re
ward to Mr.. HobsOn and his c0mpan
ions.
must add that commander J. n
Miller reliDquished his command Wit
very great reluctance, believing that b
} should retain his command under al
circumstances. He WAS, however, f1nal
ly Convinced that IN attempt of an0th
er person to carry out the multitud
of details which had been in prepara
ton by Mr.. Hobson might endanger ii
proper execution.
therefore took the liberty to reliev
him for this reason only. There Wer
} hundreds of volunteers in the squadro
who were anxious to participate; theF
|, were l5O from the Iows, nearly - man
, from this ship, and large numbers froI
, all the other ships, officers and me
!. alike.
Il (Signed) w. T. SAMPSON.