The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-06-23
HOW THE SHIP SUNK
DAVID THELEEN WRITES OF THE
MERRIMAC INCIDENT.
HoBsoN's ACT OF BRAVERY.
Work of the Brave Boys Creates Great
Great Enthusiasm Among the Sail
ors With the Squadron-The
Fleets Movements

!
June 5th--My Dear Ones at Home:-
[ have just finished letter in a hurry
as we got the word that mail would
leave by the Resolute right away: But
[ learned later that it will not leave
until some time before D. M, so will
try to write little more, but you must
be prepared to have it cut off short at
any line.
To begin, we are here on the block
ade generally about five miles from the
entrance and all is we'll so far. The
ships here now are: Massachusetts,
Oregon, Iowa, Texas, New York,
Brooklyn, New Orleans, Marblehead,
Dolphin, Yankee, Vixen, Adria (cable
boat, Porter, Sterling, Justin, St.
Louis, Swanee, Resolute-18 ships.
Tomorrow we expect to go in and
destroy the batteries on the shore. |
think the Resolute brought troops here
and very soon the army will come
ready to make land attack. The in
surgents are in the mountains on all
sides and we get good information from
them.
In my last letter I wrote and told
you of our little scrap with the batter
les and ships, only three of our battle
ships being engaged, on May 31st, and
that nothing very serious was done. 1t
was reported later that nine of their
men were killed and that we struck the
old fort few whacks.
On the following day, June LIST, the
New York, with Admiral Sampson; the
Oregon, safe and sound, and the May
flower came in. So Sampson now has
command of the feet, but Schley has
still his squadron, now the second
division. The Merrimac was alongside
US giving us coal, when about 5 p. N.
she was stripped of almost every ser
viceable article, for the plan was to
take her in the channel at midnight
and sink her in the channel with her
remaining 1000 tons of coal. This
would block the channel and prevent
Admiral Cervera from coming out just
at present. That night it was very
dark and rainy, but the plans were not
all completed, so it was decided to try
it next night. Naval Constructor
HobsOn and seven men were finally
permitted to be the favored ones to go,
although all we're very anxious to be
permitted to go.
During the next day, June I'd, the
cable boat Adria dragged for the cable
from this port to Jamaica, and think
they cut it, thus severing all European
communication with Cuba, or else they
cut the communication between San
tiago and Cienfuegos.
That night the fleet took a position
off the entrance in semi circle, and
the Merrimac, with her crew all ready,
steamed off to the westward It was
bright moonlight. All anxious eyes
were kept on the collier. [ had the
watch from s to II, but when [ went
off watch the collier had not begun
operations.
At about 3 a. N. we were all. up and
the moon was just about to sink. The
Merrimac began to run in and then
skirt along the western bank. We
could see only the dark black object
now and then appear along the black
bank. Constructor Hobson had every
thing arranged to the minutest
detail. There was an anchor
on the bow and on the stern,
and the plan was to anchor
her across the channel and then blow
her up with the heavy charges of pow
der and gin cotton in her hold. At
$3.50 we were all watching with eager
eyes. Suddenly signal light blinked
on the left bank and then the flash of
gun. Soon two more flashes told us
that she was being fired on. Then be-
gan fusilade from the batteries and
ships inside. Flash-fash--hash of
rapid fire guns, rifles and heavy guns.
Then low dull report as if mine had
exploded. We could see nothing of the
collier, but knew that brave men were
being cut down and perhaps slaughter
Ou WlUnOuU dCOOLh PI1od1IS UAOAl OOJCO0
while we we're all outside silent-unable
to fire gun. The flashing kept up
for about 20 minutes then all was dark
and quiet. A steam launch from the
New York, which had run in to the en-
trance to pick up the men after they
had left the sinking collier, returned at
dawn empty handed, after having been
fired on twice.
Daylight and a good glass revealed
the smoke stack and two masts of the
collier. 1t seemed as if she was in the
desired position, although even now we
are not certain about it, This was
Friday, June Sd.
About 2:30 p. IA. tug was seen
coming out flying the Spanish flag and
a flag of truce. The Vixen went out to
meet her and she was permitted to
communicate with the admiral. Later
IL [ 4 / ~,