New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1898-06-08
Events In The Crisis.

o. Commodore Schley bombarded 7 the
forts and land batteries at the entrance e
to Santiago harbor Tuesday afternoon.
The engagement was not for the purpose
of effectiDg an Immediate entrance to
the harbor, where Cervera's feet is at
anchor, but merely to prepare, by locat-
ING the batteries and forts, for the great
er work which was to follow. Inc
bombardment lasted for nearly Two
hours, the Massachusetts,, Iowa and New
Orleans participating. The Spanish
cruiser Cristobol Colon also took hand
in the battle and is thought to have
been roughly handled. Not an Ameri-
can ship nor en- American sailor was
struck or injured, while the forts and
batteries we've practically reduced and
destroyed. Worse gunnery than that OF
the Spanlards, it is claimed, has seldom
been seen,
The bombardment of the Santiago
Notifications was resumed by the Ameri-
can fleet Friday morning. An American
vessel, the Merrimac, was torpedoed
while making dash to force the en-
trance to the harbor and went down like
a shot. The Merrimac is only collier
and it is thought she was sent into the
channel for the purpose of crossing the
port and preventing the escape of the
Spanish squadron. Her commander and
six men were taken prisoners. None Of
the clew persisted, as it is believed they
were prepared for the explosion.
Admiral Sampson has cabled the de-
partment atW ashington that theMerrimac
was sent into the Santiago channel for
the express purpose of sinking her and
effecting a blockade. The admiral furth-
er notes that when he called for volun-
teers for the daring undertaking four
hundred men offered their services.
Those, who were finally selected and sue
ceeded in accomplishing the work as
signed to them, will live in history as
naval heroes. They knew at the outset
that they were entering upon a mission
with almost certain death staring them
III the face.
They could not help but realize that
to run the fire of the enemy's guns for
several miles and then at last to blow
up their own ship was an act requiring
remarkable GOODNESS of nerve and one in
which the chances we're ten to one
against escaping alive.
It was not in them, however, to ques-
ton the wisdom or policy of such a
move. Their duty was to act, and they
did so in a manner that will cause them
to rank with Gushing, Jones and the 9TH
er illustrious heroes of tie sea.
The roll of honor in this plucky
achievement includes seven names. They
are 1t. Richmond Hobson, Daniel Mon
tague, George Charette, J. E. Murphy,
Oscar Deigan, John P. Phillips and John
Kelly.
Every man on SIMPSONS fleet would
have liked to have been of the number,
but it was impossible to satisfy their
longings, for seven was all that was need
ed. Those seven were selected by the
Admiral himself.
The manner in which the feat was per-
formed was interesting. Early in the
morning the old vessel, laden with coal
and ballast, made direct for the entrance
to the harbor. The big guns of the fleet
Numbered away at the batteries to at
tract attention away from the collier, but
she was soon detected and terrace after
terrace of batteries began to pour shot
and shell in the direction of the craft
and its gallant little crew.
The ship was frequently hit, and some
of her crew were injured by flying splin-
tiers, but on she went, steadily steamlng
towards the spot to whichAdmiral samp-
son had directed her. There she was
anchored, swung around so as to block
the barber entrance at its narrowest por.
ton and exploded.
Hobson and his crew made an effort
to regain the sea, but, finding it fru1tless,
he turned about and rowed directly to
Admiral Cervera's flagship and surren-
dered. :. ~
The prisoners were taken on board,
and soon after under flag of
truce one of Cervera's commodores visi-
ted the American fleet and treated for
an exchange of prisoners. .:<r.
The daring act of the Merrimac's crew
excited the admiration of the Spaniards,
~ l.. y -, L.