The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-09
HOBSON IS AMONG
HIS OLD FRIENDS.
The Men Of His Old Ships Received
Him With Cheers.
TELLS HOW He SUNK MERRIMAC,
IL Was n Desperate Adventure Boldly
Carried Out--Amid n Perfect Hail
Of Shot and Shell They Rode
Into the Channel.

fcoovright 1895. by the Associated Press)
OFF SANTIAGO DE- CUBA. July T.
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DIS
PATCH BOAT DAUNTLESS, VIA PORT
ANTONIO AND KINGSTON, JAMAICA.
July s-9l5 A. M-The return Of Assist
ant Naval Constructor Hobson of Merri-
mac fame 10 his ship. the flagship New
York last night, was marked by WIG
enthusiasm.
II was dark when a shout was passed
along the ship that Hobson was coming.
on the superstructure clambeTed the
crew. ten deep. and on the quarterback
the officers clustered around the sea lad
der and hundred hands were stretched
out to grasp Hobson's hand.
II was not until he was safe once more
on deck that the crew OF the New York
oheered. and they they broke out into
wild veil which was sent up over and
over again until the men were hoarse.
Numbers Of the crew rushed forward on
the quarter deck and great group OF
men struggled around the tail figure Of
the man who had dared so much.
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA VIA PORT
ANTONIO AND KINGSTON. July S-9'H
T. M-Behind Hobson came Colonel John
Astor and the first thing Hobson tried 10
20 was to introduce him TO the officers,
but Colonel Aston got lost In the orowd
which surged around insisting upon shak'
ing Hobsons hand. The transports blew
their whistles as Robson sat once more
among his mess-rnstes and told the story
Of his experience. his marvellous escape
and his Imprisonment in Moro Castle.
watching the shells explode outside his
cell
90
harbor" he said. "as Ensign Powell in
the launch supposed. I headed east until
] got ms bearings and then made for H.
straight in. Then came the firing II
was grand flashing out first from one
side of the harbor and then the other
from those big guns on the hills The
Vizcsya lying inside the harbor joining
in.
Troops from Santiago had rushed down
when the news of the Merrimac's coming
was telegraphed and soldiers lined the
foot OF the cliff, killing each other with
the cross fire. The Merrimacs steering
gear broke as she got TO Estrella Point.
Only three OF the torpedoes on her side
exploded when ! touched the button.
huge submarine mine caught her full
smidship. hurting The water high in the
air and tearing a great rent in the Mer-
rimac's side.
Her stern ran upon Estrella Point.
Chiefly owing 10 The work done by the
mine. she began to sink slowly. At that
time she was across the channel. but
before she settled the tide drifted her
around. We were all aft lying on the
deck Shells and bullets whistled around
US. SiX-inch shells from the NizcaNa
came tearing into the Merrimac and pass
ing clear through while the plunginS
shots from the fort broke through her
decks. Not man must move, SAID;
and II was only owing TO the splendid
discipline of the men that we were not
all Killed as the shells rained over us
and minutes became hours OF suspense.
The mems mouths grew parched, but we
must lie there until daylight Now and
again one or another Of the men lying
with his face glued TO the deck. and won
dering whether the next shell would not
come our way. would say Had not we
better drop or now. sir but | said,
Wait till daylight.
IT would have been impossible 10 get
the Catamaren anywhere. The grand old
Merrimac kept sinking. ] wanted 10 60
forward and see the fame down there
where nearly all of the fire was directed,
but one man said that If I rose IT would
draw all the lre on the rest. II was
splendid the way the men behaved. The
fire OF the soldiers, the batteries and the
Vizcaya was awful. The water came
upon the Merrimacs decks and the Cata-
maren foated among the wreckage, but
stil made fast to the boom. and we
caught TO the edge and chung our heads
being above water
THE CAPTURE
A Spanish launch came toward the
Merrlmac. We agreed TO capture her and
run. Just as she came close the Span
iards saw US. and half dozen marines
jumped up and pointed their rifles at our
heads.
us there any officer in that bG0t TO re-
ceive surrender Of prisoners of war;?
] shouted. An old man leaned out under
the awning and waved his hand 1t was
Admiral Cervera. The marines lowered
their rifles and we were helped into the
launch.
Then we were put in cells in MORO
Castle 1t was a grand sight a few days
later 70 see the bombardment. the shells
striking and bursting around FL MORO
TAKEN TO SANTIAGO.
Then we were taken into Santiago.
had the court martial room in the bar
racks. My men were kept prisoners In
the hospital. From my window | could
see the army moving and it was terrible
10 see those poor lads moving across the
open and being shot down by the Span
iards In the rifle pits in front OF me. Yes
terday the Spaniards became as polite as
could be. I knew something was coming
and then was exchanged"
GLAD TO GET BACK.
Hobson was overjoyed at getting back
He looked well. though somewhat worn.
On the whole the Spaniards treated him
better than might have been expected
Mr. Ramsden. the British consul at
Santiago. was tireless in his efforts 10
secure comfort 10 Hobson and his men.
The young hero knew nothing
about the destruction Of Cervera's
feet until he reached the army
tines He could not understand
his promotion. but was overioyed that
his bravery had been recognized by the
people The men who came with him re-
oofvad q rfpo1rp recaptfnn All are dofng