The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-06-15
SIMPSONS STORY.

He Tells How Hobson corked the Bottle.
The Navy Department ON Friday post
cd the following bulletin giving detailed
official report from Admiral Sampson
upon the heroism OF Lieutenant Ho6son
and his men in sinking the Merrimac in
the Santiago channel:
United States Flagship New York, of
Santiago. June ), ls9S.-Permit me to call
your especial attention 10 Assistant Naval
Constructor Hobson. As stated in a
special telegram, before coming here
decided to make the harbor entrance Sc
cure against the possibility of egress by
Spanish ships by obstrueting the narrow
part of the entrance by sinking a collier
at that point. Upon calling upo Mr..
HobsOn for his professional opinion as TO
slre method of sinking the ship, he
mantle the most lively interest in the
problem. After several days considera-
tion, he presented a solution which he
considered would insure the sinking OF
the ship when she reached the desired
point in the channel. This plan we pre-
pared for execution when we reached
Santiago. The plan contemplated crew
of only seven men and Mr.. HObsOn, who
begged that it might be entrusted to him.
The anchor chains were arranged on
deck for both the anchors, forward and
aft, the plan including the anchoring of
the ship almost automatically.
"As soon as / reached Santiago and
had the collier TO work upon, the details
were completed aud diligently prose-
cuted, hoping 10 complete them in one
day, as the moon and tide served best the
first night after our arrival. Notwith-
standing every effort, the hour of4 o'clock
in the morning arrived and the prepara-
tion was scarcely completed. After a
careful inspection of the final prepara-
tions was forced to relinquish the plan
for that morning. as dawn was breaking.
Mr.. HObson begged 70 try it at all haz-
yards. This morning proved more pro-
pitiOus, As a prompt start could be made.
Nothing could have been more CALAMITY
executed. We waited impatienlly after
the firing by the Spaniards had ceased.
When they did not reappear from the
harbOr at 6 o'clock 1 feared that they had
all perished. A steam launch which had
been sent in charge Of Naval Cadet Pow
ell TO rescue the men appeared at this
time. coming out under a persistent fire
Of the batteries, but brought none Of the
crew. \ careful inspection OF the harbor
from this showed that the vessel Merri-
mac had been sunk in the channel This
afternoon the chief Of staff Of Admiral
Cervera came out under a flag Of truce
with 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 his gallant crew. venture
to say that a more brave and daring
thing has not been done since Gushing
blew up the Alhemarle.
referring TO the inspiring letter which
you addressed to the officers at the be-
ginning of the war, am sure you will
offer suitable professional reward to Mr..
HObson and his companions.
II must add that Commander ]. NJ
Miller relinquished his command with
the very greatest reluctance. believing
he would retain his command under all
circumstances. He was, however, con.
WINGED that the attempt Of another per.
son to carry Outthe multitude OF details
which had been in preparation by Mr..
HobsOn might endanger its proper exc
cution. 1 therefore took the liberty to re
lieve him for this reason only. There
were hundreds of volunteers who wer,
anxious TO participate. There were Ia
from the Iowa, nearly as many from thi,
ship, and large numbers from all tn,
other ships, officers and men alike
(signed) w. T. Sampson"