The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1898-06-10
HOW HOBSON DID 1T.
The Merrimac Venture Minutely
Detailed by the Leader.
A Definite List of the Heroes-Informa
tion From Oficers in Charge of Span
ish Prisoners Insures an Exchange
of the Merrimac Crew.

The following is detailed story of the
act of heroism performed by Lieut..
Richmond p. Hobson, and MS seven
companions in sinking the collier Mcr-
rimac across the channel leading into
the harbor of Santiago de Cuba:
The Spanish feet is now helpless,
being held captive in Santiago de Cuba
harbor. The narrow channel leading
into the harbor was completely blocked
early Friday morning, when the United
States collier Merrimac was sunk
across its entrance. 1t is now inpOs-
sible for the Spaniards to get out, and
it is equally impossible for any vessel
to get into the harbor. Therefore, the
Spanish first-class armored cruisers
Maria Teresa, Cristobal Colon, Vizcaya
and Almirante OquendO, with two tor
pedo boat destroycrs, Furore and Plu-
ton, are no longer of any use to Spain.
This result was accomplished through
the hcroism of Lieut.. Richmond p.
Hobson, assistant naval constructor,
and Daniel Montague. George Charette,
j. c. Murphy, Oscar Deignan, John z.
Philips, John Kelly and III. Clauscn.
The latter, a coXswain OF the New
York, took part in the expedition
against orders. They were all cap
tured by the Spaniards, but the Spanish
admiral, in recognition of their bravery,
sent word to the American admiral,
under flag of truce, that he was will
ing to exchange the prisoners, and
assuring the American commander that
they would be treated with the greatest
kindness. Money and provisions have
been sent to them, and the necessary
steps are being taken to bring about
their exchange.
Montague is chief master-at-arms of
the New York. He has served four
years in the navy, is % years of age,
and his home in Brooklyn.
George Charette is a gunner's mate of
the frst-class on board the New York.
lie has served fourteen years in the
navy, is 81 years old, and resides at
Lowell, Mass.
j. c. Murphy is a coxswain of the
Iowa.
Oscar Deignan is coxswaiH of the
Merrimac, and is about 24 years old.
John p. Philips is machinist Of the
first-class, belonging to the Merrimac.
He is Sc years of age, and his hOmeis-
near Glasgow, Scotland.
II. Clausen, who slipped on board the
Merrimac without permission in order
to take part in the expedition, is a cox
swain of the New York.
What actually happened on board
the Mcrrimac can best be judged from
what Lieut.. Hobson said just before
leaving the flagship. Sitting in his
cabin, he remarked:
Hobson's Plans.
81 sail go right into the harbor until
about 400 yards past the Estrella bat
terry, which is behind MorrG Castle. l
don't think they can sink me before l
reach somewhere near that point. The
Mcrrimac has 1000 tons buoyancy, and
l shall keep her full speed ahead. She
can make about ten knots. When the
narrowest part of the channel is reach
cd l shall put her helm hard a-port,
stop the engines, drop the anchors, open
the sea connections, touch off the tor
pedoes and leave the Merrimac wreck
lying athwart the channel, which is not
as broad as the Merrimac is long. There
are ten s-inch improvised torpedoes be-
low the water line on the Merrimac's S
port side. They are placed on her side
against the bulkheads and vital spots,
connected with each other by wire
under the ships keel. Each torpedo
contains eighty-two pounds of gunpow-
der. Each torpedo is also connected with
the bridge, and they should do their
work in a minute, and it will be quick
work, even if done in a minute and a
quarter.
ION deck there will be four men and
myself. In the engine-room there will
be two other men. This is the total
crew, and all of us will be in our un-
clothing, with revolvers and ammuni-
tion in water-tight packing strapped
around our waists. Forward there will
be man on deck, and around his waist
will be line, the other end of the line
being made fast to the bridge, on which
l will stand. BY that mans side there
will be an AK. l will stop the engines
and shall jerk this cord, and he will
thus get the signal to cut the lashing
which will be holding the forward an
chor. He will then jump overheard and
swim to the four-oared dingy which we
shall tow astern. The dingy is full of
life buoys and is unsinkable In it are
rifles. 1t is to be held by two ropes,
one made fast at her bow and one at
her stern. The first man to reach her
will haul in the tow line and pull the
dingy on to the starboard. The next
to leave the ship are the rest of the
crew. The quartermaster at the wheel
will not leave until after having put it
hard a-port and lashed it so. He will
then jump overheard. Down below
the man ut the reversing gear will stop
the engines, scramble upon deck and
get over the side as quickly as possible
The man in the engine-room will break
open the sea connections with a sledge
hammer, and will follow his leader into
the water. This last step insures the
sinking of the Merrimac whether the
torpedoes work or not,
All VIII Be OF.
''By this time l calculate the six men
will be in the diagy and the Merrimac
will have swung athwart the channel
to the full length of her 500 yards of
cable, which will have been laid out
before the anchors were cut loose.