The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-12
PROMOTION FOR sHoBsoN.


American Fleet.
WASHINGTON, June. 1.-THE navy,
department today posted the following
bulletin giving detailed official report
from Admiral Sampson enNthe heroism
of Lieut.. Hobson and his men in sink
ing the Merrimac in3Nthe Santiago
channel:
United States Flagship New York, off
your especial attention SO Assistant Naval
Constructor Hobson. Aslstated in a special
telegram, before coming here decided to.
make the harbor entrance secure against the
possibility of egress by Spanish ships, by
obstructing the narrow part Of the entrance
by. sinking collier at that point Upon
calling upon Mr.. Hobson for his professional
opinion as to a sure method of sinking the
snip ne manifested the nipst lively interest in
the problem. After several~days' considera-
ton, he presented solution which he con.
sidered would insure the immediate sinking
OF the ship when he reached the desired
point in the channel THIS plan we prepared
The plan contemplated crew of only seven
men and Mr.. Hobson, who begged that it
might be entrusted to him. The anchor chains
We're arranged on deck for both the anchors,
forward and aft, the plan including the an
choring of the ship almost automatically. AS
soon as found I had collier to work upon,
the details were completed and diligentl,
prosecuted, hoping to complete them in one
day as the moon and tide served best the
nrSt night after our arrival. NotwithStand-
ing, the hour of o'clock in the morning
came and preparation was scarcely completed.
After a careful inspection of the final prepare
tions, I was forced to reinquish the plan
for that morning, as dawn was breaking.
Mr.. Hobson begged to try it at all hazards.
This morning proved more propitious, as
prompt start could be made. Nothing could
have been more CALAMITY executed. We waited
impatiently after the firing by the Spanish
had ceased. When they did not reappear
from the harbor at 6 O'Clock, feared that
they had all persisted A steam launch,
which had been sent in charge of Naval Cadet
Powell to rescue the men, appeared at this
time, coming out under persistent fire of
A careful inspection Of the harbor from this
ship showed that the vessel Merrimac had
been sunk in the channel This afternoon
the chief of staff Of Admiral Cervera came
out under flag of truce with a letter from
the admiral extolling the bravery of the
crew in an unusual manner.
81 cannot myself too earnestly express my
appreciation of the conduct Of Mr.. Hobson and
more brave and daring thing has not been
done since Gushing bewTup the Albemarle.
Referring to the Inspiring letter which
you addressed to the officers at the beginning
able professional reward to MI: Hobson and
his companions. u
ct must add that Commander J. M. Miller
relinquished his command With the very
his command under all circumstances. He
was, however. finally Convinced that the at
tempt Of another person to carry out the
multitude Of details let which had been in
its proper execution. l., therefore, took the
liberty to relieve him, for this reason only.
There were hundreds of volunteers who were
the Iowa. nearly as many from this ship. and
large numbers from all the other ships, OFF,
GERS and men alike. w. T. Sampson