The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-26

in the afternoon it appears that she is ly-
ing with iler bow 70 seward, just above
Estrella Point, with her stern swung
around, until she lies almost parallel to
the direction of the channel. So far as
blocking the channel. the attempt does
not seem to have been successful.
1.-The ship, at the time of sinking, con-
tanned about 1000 tons of coal. AS far
as possible, all stores were removed.
About dark the powder charges were
brought on board and lowered into posi-
ton over the port side. The wire for
exploding the charges was run and con-
nected and the dry battery made ready.
THE first plan contemplated the sim
ultaneous explosion of all ten charges.
1t was found that the battery on hand
was sufficient TO explode with certainty
only six of the charges. so only six were
connected.
Below in the engine room the nuts
holding the bonnets of the main injection
valve and the sea-suction valve of the
big fire pump were slackened off, ready
for instant removal, and wooden props
were wedged in on top of the bonnets, so
that after the nut had been taken off. one
blow with a sledge hammer would knock
OhS Li4S ~ w elAlo 1AAOfF liz OO@4--O~ ~ @@S
off, admitting the sea.
Arrangements were also made for cut
ting two smaller piped leading from the
sea to the pumps and dinkyboile
"All water tight doors were opened.
and where it was possible plates were
taken off from athwartship bulkheads to
give the water free access to all parts
of the ship. Ali these preparations were
made with the greatest haste, as it was
desired to send the ship in before day
break OF the morning of the second.
THE DISAPPOINTING RECALL.
Finally all preparations were complet-
ed. By thisime it was broad daylight.
however, and the disappointing recall
was the result.
Some Slight changes in the original
plans were made.
additional batteries were obtained and
an additional charge was made ready on
the oprt side. The men in the engine
room were directed to come on deck as
soon as hey had completed their duties
below, and lend hand in exploding the
four after-charges.
WITH BREATHLESS INTEREST.
Needless to say her progress toward
the mouth fthe harbor was watched
with GREATNESS interest. The moon be-
came partly Unsecured by clouds an dthe
Merrimac could no longer be clearly
distinguished The lower shore line was
indistinguishabe A light haze hid the
entrance fine harbor form view, ex-
cept through glasses.
AT 3:15 the first shot was fired, COM
ing from one of the guns on the hill in
the left (wesO fgthe entrance. The shot
was seen to splash seaward from the
Merrimac, having passed over her.
The firing became general very soon
after, being especially fierce and rapid
from the batteries inside on the lefa of
the harbor--probably from batteries on
Smith Cay.
For fifteen minutes a perfect fusillade
was kept up. Then the fire slackened,
and by 3:3 had almost ceased.
CAT about 5:15 the launch was seen
steamng from west to east, near across
the mouth fthe harbor. She steamed
back from east to west and then began
skirting the coast TO the west fthe en-
trance. The battery on the hill to the
left opened fire on her, but did not make
good practice.
The launch continued her course as
far westward as a small cove, and then
headed for the Texas, steaming at full
speed Several shots were fired at her
from hte battery on the left as sine
steamed out.
1T was broad day light by this time.
Mr.. Orwell came alongside the Texas,
and reported that no one had come out
of the entrance of the harbor.'"
His words sounded like the death-knell
to all who had gone in o nthe Merrimac.
Il seemed increditable almost impossible.
that any of them could have lived through
the awful fire that was directed at the
shin.