The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-12-03
H0BsON's FIRST PLAN.
Nerrimac to Fly Spanish Colors and
Feign q Chase.


Lieutenant Richmond Pearson
Hobson is writing for the Century
Magazine his story of 1.-The Sinking
Of the Merrimac. He will write
for no other periodical. His first
paper appears in the December
number and is devoted to 1.-The
Scheme and the Preparations. y
Lieutenant Hobson says, after tell
ing of the decision to sink the Mer.
rimac:
Various plans were considered.
That of feigning a chase suggested
itself from the fact that Spanish
GOLFERS were supposed to be on
their way to Santiago. One had
recently been captured by the ST.
Paul. and from her it was learned
that others were soon expected.
By this method the Merrimac would
approach by night from the east
ward when about five miles she
would be discovered by blockading
vessels, searchlights would be
thrown towards her, and fire opened,
care being taken to fire wide and
throw the lights in front and on
both sides, to show the fash OF
striking projectiles.
The Merrimac, upon discovery,
would bear in toward the shore to
within about two thousand yards,
apparently to seek the protection OF
the batteries; she would throw
pitch on the fires to make heavy
black smoke, as if forcing to the
utmost. She would head in to-
wards the entrance and turn full
down the course for entering the
channel, blowing her whistle in
blasts as of fright and distress.
The searchlight would fash across
and show Spanish flag at her
peak. On approaching, the lights
would be thrown on the entrance
to facilitate her navigation, but
carefully avoiding resting upon her.
The shore batteries opening on the
chasing vessels would be replied to
and kept diverted. Ii they opened
on the Merrimac,~ searchiights
would be thrown in the gunuers
faces.
However, an examination of the
chart showed the difficulties of nav
igation to be SO great that no sane
captain would attempt to take in
collier at night or under circum-
stances that did not admit of the
deliberation. 1t was known
that tugs were used by single-screw
vessels of any size on account Of
the turn in the channel abreast Es-
trella Point. The chances seemed
to be against the enemy's being de-
ceived, and navigation depending
upon search-lights would entail
chances of failure.
This plan, and various other
plans, involving the cooperation of
the fleet, were discarded in favor of
the simpler plan of going alone by
moonlight, just before the moon
should set. Surprise, under any con-
dition could be only partial at best,
since certain amount of light was
absolutely necessary for navigation
The conditions for surprise would
be more favorable toward day break
a food tide must be
chosen, so that, in case of breaking
the anchor gear, the vessel would
be set into the channel and have
ample time for sinking before the
ebb could tend to throw her out,
while the chances of being carried
by the tide through the whole
length of the narrow channel into
the inner harbor seemed improba-
BILE. The establishment of the
port" or time of high tide, was
about: eight hours and a quarter, SO
that the tide would be running
strong food as the moon set. The
moon was then approaching full and
calculations showed that it would
set at Santiago about 3 80 Thurs
day, June 2. We were speeding at
about 13 knots-the Oregon had
demonstrated her ability to main
tain that speed-and we would
therefore arrive off Santiago early
Wednesday morning and have most
Of the day and night Of Wednesday
for preparations. Thursday was
therefore set for entering, though
the admiral expressed the opinion
hat it would be found impossible
10 complete the preparations in
lime. The special advantage of
Thursday was that there would be
an interval of darkness of about
an hour and a quarter between the
lime of moonset and daybreak
while on Friday this interval would
be reduced to about half an hour,
and on Saturday day would break
before moonset. 1t will be under
stood that an interval of darkness,
hough short, might be found Of
advantage for completing the work