Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-06-18
SIMPSONS OFFICIAL
REPORT ON AOBSON
Sinking of the Merrimac Was Done
According to Hobson's
Own Plans.
MILLER RELUCTANTLY GAVE WAY
Cervera Through His Chief of
Staff Extolled the Crew in
an Unusual Manner.
SAMPSON ASKS FOR THE REWARD
III am Sure You Will Offer Suitable
Professional Reward TO Hob
son and His Compan-
ions"

Washington, June 13.-The navy de-
partment has posted the following bull
letin giving a detailed official report
from Sampson upon the heroism of
Lieutenant Hobson and his men in
sinking the -Merrimac in Santiago
channel.
"United States Flagship, OFF Santi-
ago, June 3.-PermIt me to call your
special attention TO Assistant Naval
Constructor Hobson. As stated in a
telegram before coming here, | decided
to make the harbor entrance secure
against the possibility Of the egress of
the Spanish ships by obstructing the
narrow part of the entrance 10y sinking
u collier at that point. Upon calling
upon lIobson for his professional opin.
ion as to n sure method of sinking a
ship, he manifested the most lively in.
terest in the problem. After several
days consideration he presented a so.
luton which he considered would In.
SUR the immediate sinking of the ship
when she reached the desired point in
the channel. This plan we prepared
for execution when we reached Santi-
ago. The plan contemplated a crew of
only seven meV and Hobson, who
begged it might be entrusted to him.
Anchor chains were arranged on the
deck for both anchors, forward and aft,
the plan including anchoring the ship
almost automatically.
q. aAA,, ~, v,n,1Al Sn-4.~A .A1
had a collier to work upon details were
completed and diligently prosecuted,
hoping to complete them in one day,
as the moo and tide served best tho
first night after our arrival. Notwith-
standing the Eour of 4 in the morning
h& arrived and the preparations wcrd
scarcely completed. After careful in!
spection and final preparations | wal
forced to relinquish the plan for thar
morning, as dawn was breaking.
"Hobson begged to try it at all haz.
ards. The second morning proved
more propitious, as a prompt start
could be made, and nothing could have
been more CALAMITY executed.
eve waited impatiently after firing
by the Spaniards had ceased. When
they did not reappear from the har;
Dor at 8 o'clock / feared they had all
persisted. The steam launch, which had
been sent i'm charge of Naval Cadet
Powell to rescue the men, appeared az
this time, coming out from in under
n persistent fire of the batteries, but
brought-non of the crew. a careful
inspection of the harbor from this
ship showed the Mcrrimac had been
sunk in the channel.
"This afternoon the chief of the staff
of Admiral Ceryera came out under a
flag OF truce with a letter from the ad-
miral eXtolling the bravery of the crew
In an unusual manner.
81 cannot myself too earnestly eX-
press my appreciation of the conduct
OF Hobson and his gallant crew. |
venture to say that a more brave, dar-
ing thing has not been done since
Cushing blew up the Albemarle.
"Referring to the inspiring letter
you addressed to the officers at the be-
ginning of the war, | am sure you will
offer suitable professional reward to
Hobsou and his companions.
81 must add that Commander j. NJ.
Miller relinquished his command with
very great reluctance, believing he
should retain command under all cirr
cumstances. He, however, was finally
convinced that the attempt Of another
person to carry out the multitude of
details which had been under prepare.
ton by Hobson might endanger the
proper execution. / therefore took TIC
| liberty to relieve him for this reason
only.
'jThere were hundreds of volunteers
anxious to participate; there were 80
from the Iowa, and nearly as many
from this ship and large numbers from
all other ships, officers and men alike.
"W. Il. Sampson"