Evening journal., 1898-06-06

pOat Win white Tag put out from
the harbor, and Captain Oviedo. the
chief OF staff Of Admiral Cervera.
boarded the New York and Informed tire
admiral that the whole pagty had been
captured and that only two Of the he
roes were injured Lieutenant Hobson
was not hurt.
1t appears that tho Spanish admiral
was so struck with the courage Of the
Merrmac's crew that he decided 20 IN
form Admiral Sampson that they had
not lost their lives, but were prisoners
Of war and could be exchanged
IL seems Hobson and his men drifted
ashore on an old cetamaran which had
been slung over the Merrimac's side at
the last moment as an extra precaution.
They were captured and sent 20 santi-
ago under guard previous to being trans-
ferred TO MORO castle. where they are
now understood TO be confined.
Money and povisions were sent to the
prisoners through Captain Oviedo, and
II Is believed Rear Admiral Sampson is
taking the necessary steps to bring
about their exchange
The whole feet Is In a state OF
delighted enthusiasm. and the admiral
Is Just as happy as the youngest sailor
The general opinion Is that no man ever
deserved recognition for personal bray
cry more than does Lieutenant Bobeon.
Cadet Powell, who was the last man
10 see Lieutenant Hobson before his
start and who had charge OF the launch
curing Its perilous trip. after much
needed sleep. told the story OF his ex-
perience. He said:
First OF all Lieutenant Hobson took q
sleep OF few hours, which was often
interrupted. Al a quarter to he came
on deck and made a final inspection,
giving his last Instructions Then we
had little lunch. Hobson was as cool
as cucumber. At 2:3O o'clock / took
the men who were not going on the trip
into the launch and started for the
Texas, the nearest ship, but had to go
back for one OF the assistant engineers
whom Hobson was finally compelled to
leavc shook hands with Hobson last
Of al. Ho said:
Powell, watch the boats crew when
we pull ont OF the harbor We win be
cracks. rowing 30 strokes TO the minute
After leaving the Texas I saw the
Merrimac steamlng slowly IN. It was
only fairly dark then, and the shore was
quite visible. We followed about three
quarters OF mile astern. The Merri-
mac stood about mile TO the westward
Of the harbor and seemed a bit mixed,
turning completely around, and finally,
heading to the east, she ran down and
then turned In. We were then chasing
him, because l thought Hobson had lost
his bearings. When Hobson was about
200 yards from the harbor. the first gun
Was fred from the eastern bluff. We
were then about half a mile offshore
and nearing the batteries. The firing
increased rapidly,
"We steamed In slowly and Lost sight
Of the Merrimac In the smoke which the
Wind carried of shore. 1t hung heavily
Before Hobson could have blown up the
Nerrimac the western battery picked us
up and commenced firing. They shot
wildly however and we only heard the
shots. We ran In still closer 20 the
shore. and the gunners lost sight Of us.
Then we heard the explosion Of the tor
pedoes on the Merrimac
Until daylight we waited just outside
the breakers. half mile to the west
ward OF Moro. keeping "A sharp lookota
for the boat and for swimmers, but saw
nothing. Hobson had arranged 70 meet
ua at that point, but thinking that Soma
one might have drifted out. we crossed
Ia front Of Moro and the mouth OF the
harbor to the eastward.
About o'clock we crossed the har-
Dor again. within a quarter OF a mile.
and stood to the westward. In passing
we saw one spar OF the Merrimac stick
ing out q the water We hugged the
shore fist outside OF the breakers for
mi\ and then turned toward the Texas.
when the batteries saw us and opened
FIRE. II was then daylight The first
shot fired dropped 30 yards astern, but
the other shots went wild.
II drove the launch for all she was
worth, finally making the New York.
The men behaved splendidiy."
What actually happened on board the
Merrimac can best be Judged from
what Hobson said Just before leaving
the flagship. Sitting in his cabin. ne
said
Il shall go right into the harbor until
shout 400 yards paat the Estrella bat
terry, which Is behind MORO castle
do not think they can sink me before /
reach somewhere near that point. The
Alerrimac hhs 7,0eO tons buoyancy. and
shall keep her full speed ahead. She
can make about ten knots.
when the narrowest part OF the
channel Is reached. 1 shall put her helm
hard aport, stop the engines drop the
anchors. open the sea connections. touch
on the tOrpedoes and leave the Merri-
mac a wreck lying athwart the chan
mel, which Is not as broad as the Merrl-
mac is long.
There are ten inch improvised tor
pedoes below the water line on the Mer-
rimac's port side. They are placed on
her side against the bulkheads and vital
spots, connected with each other by a
wire under the ships keel Each tor
pedo contains 80 pounds OF gunpowder.
I0ach torpedo is also connected with the
bridge. and they should DO their work
in a minute. and II VIII be quick work
even II done in minute and a quarter.
"On deck there win be four men and
myself. In the engine room there will
be two other men. This is the total
/ crew. and an of us will be in our un-
derclothing. with revolvers and ammu-
( milton in the water tight packing strap
ped around our waists. Forward there
viii be a mSn on deck, and around his
waist will be line. the other end OF
the line being made fast TO the bridge
where viii stand
"By that mans side will be an ak
When I stop the engines I shall jerk