The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-06-11
FAME FOR HObSON AND CREW
HOW THEY SUNK MERRIMAC.
In the Face of the Guns on the Span
ish Battery Opposite MORO Cas-
tie. i'm the HarbOr of santiago de
Cubn-The story in Full.

when She was scuttled across the chan
mel.
Lieutenant Hobson started on his dar-
ing errand at o'clock this morning The
Merrimac was lying to the westward.
Under cover of the clouds over the moon
she stole toward the coast, made her way
TO the eastward, followed by a launch
from the New York with the following
crew on board; Naval Cadet j. w. Pow
ell of Oswego, n. Y; p. X. Peterson,
coxwain; H. Haldford, apprentice OF the
first class; j. Mullings, coal passer; q.
i. Russell, machinist of the second class.
In the launch were bandages and appli-
ances for the wounded.
Batteries Turned Loose.
From the crowded decks of the New
York nothing could be seen of the Mer
rimac after she had got under the shad-
ows of the hills. For half an hour Of
ticers and men strained their eyes peering
into the gloom when suddenly, the flash
of a gun streamed out from Moro castle
and then the New York knew the Mer
rimac was nearing her end.
The guns from the Spanish battery
opposite Moro castle answered quickly
with more flashes and for about 20 min
utes flashes of fire seemed to leap across
the harbor entrance The flagship was
too far away TO hear the reports and
when the firing ceased it was judged that
Hobson had blown up the Merrimac. For
an hour the anxious watchers waited for
daylight. Rear Admiral Sampson and
Captain Chadwick were on the bridge of
the New York throughout.
At o'clock thin streams of smoke were
seen against the western shore quite close
to the Spanish batteries and strong glass
es made out the launch of the New York
returning to the flagship. Scarcely had
the small craft been sighted before a
puff of smoke issued from battery on
the western arm of the harbor and shot
plunged far over the launch. Then for
10 minutes the big guns on the coast kept
up an irregular fire on the little launch.
Had Gone Under the Guns.
At Gals a. IN. the launch came along
side the flagship but she did not have on
board any of the crew of the Merrimac.
Cadet Powell reported that he had been
unable to see any sign of the MeTimac's
crew. 1t developed that with great BRAY
cry the crew had gone right under the
batteries and only returned when hope
of taking on board the crew of the Mer-
rimac had to be abandoned.
Cadet Powell also reported he had
I'M
up Just where Hobson hoped to sink her,
north of the Estrella battery and well
past the guns of Moro castle.
But of the heroes who had penned the
Spaniards in there was not a sound or
sign. Rear Admiral Sampson said: 81
am pretty sure the attempt was quite sue
cessful. l hope all those brave fellows
are not captured"
Cadet Powell believed the torpedoes
previously fixed aboard the Merrimac
were exploded as planned, as Lieutenant
Hobson was well up the harbor before the
Spaniards opened fire on the Merrimac.
How Hobson Sank the Merrimac.
What actually happened ON the Merri-
mac can best be judged from what Lieu
tenant Hobson said just before leaving
the flagship.
He said: 81 shall 90 right into the
harbor until about 400 yards past the
Estrella battery, which is behind Moro
castle. do not think they can sink us
before | reach somewhere near that point.
The Merrimac has 1000 buoyancy and l
shall keep her full speed ahead. She can
make about 10 knots.
"When the narrowest part of the chan
mel is reached l shall put her helm hard
aport stop her engines, drop the anchors
open the sea connections, touch off the
torpedoes and leave the Merrimac a
wreck lying athwart the channel, which
is not as broad as the Merrimac is long.
There are 10 S-inch improyised torpedoes
below the water line on the Merrimac's
port side. They are placed on her side
against the bulkheads and vital spots
connected with each other by a wire UNI
der the ships keel. Each torpedo con
tains 80 pounds of gunpowder. Each tor
pedO is also connected with the bridge
and they should do their work in a min
ute and it will be quick work even il
done in a minute and a quarter.
~On deck there will be four men and
myself. In the engine room there will be
two other men. This is total crew and
all of us will be in our underclothing
with revolvers and ammunition 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 I will stand. BY that
mans side will be an ak When | stor