New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-05
HOW THE VESSEL WAS SUNK.
EOBSON SET OFF TORPEDO.
TWO MEN WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED
AND EIGHT ARE PRISONERS.
,copyr.sh,: 1905: The Associated Presso

DOWNRIGHT: 1905: The Associated Presso.
NJ ...on,o Jamaica. June 3.-(deayed in
transmission)-A single deed or masn'hoe"'
American daring has lost to the kihguor' Vi
Spain the powerful fleet OF Admiral CerVera'
1rs, h.rore dawn to-day seven gallant seameh
took the collier Merrmac under fhe pia@''s
Moro battery and anchored and sunk ner De-
,oo,b q sniteruI fire Of musketry ard heavy
cannonading from the shore; and the "recAeo
hull OF the sunksn vessel efectually closes '"e
entrance to the harbor within which the "p""'
lsh squadron is hopciessy and helplessy iocheo'
This splendid stroke which leaves 'he "o
ernment at Washington free to act without
further fear Of the Spanards' fleet. was planned
bv Lieutenant Richmond p Hobson' VINO co'n-
manded the expedition. lie Is Naval 'o"-
s,ructor. attached to the Annapolis anu HIS
,ou,o "a IN Brooklyn With him went Daniel
Montague George Charette. J. E. Murphy U.s.
car pe,enan. John p. Phillips and John ke"y'
all non commissioned oficers or ehhsteu "ie"'
. ,team launch from the flagship New-forK'
commanded ny Cadet J. w Powell. followed the
Merr.mac to the mouth OF the harbor' and'
DESPITE the fre from the forts. cruiseo IN 'he
vicinity for an hour and a half amer tne oo'-
u.r ~.s sunk. but no sign Of the brave Ameri-
w,. aeon and Cadet Powell was finally
compelled to rspoin the flagship.
,MpoasrB1,E TO TAKE THE FLEET IN.
apfr SQntlQRO
Harbor had been under consideration for sew
.ral days. az Rear-Admiral Sampson haa oe-
cided that Il Was impossible TO take MS heo'
inside Lieutenant Hobson had expected 70 90
,h. york Wednesday night. but. owing to the
DELAY in preparing the ship. 1t was deferred
He attempted 10 run in after daylighson Thurs-
day. and was only stopped. under protest at'er
stern orders from the Admiral. All day yes
,.raav me preparations proceeded. and by night
fall tho craft was In readiness. A row or tor
pedoes had been arranged outside the hull. 30
that Lieutenant Hobson could e1piode the'n
from the bridge OF the vessel and thus insure
nor rap,d sinking. At nightfall the various ships
Of the fleet passed the doomed Merrimac, cheer
ing her Justify.
hundreds II men and scores Of officers volun-
teered for the duty. and Commander Miller
Who had been the Captain OF the Merrimac,
heegsd permission Of Admiral Sampson to go
but Lieutenant HObson wanted only SIX men.
Nv 10 O'Clock all hut the men who were going on
the dangerous errand had been taken from the
Merrmac. and the collier took position near
The New-York to await the appointed hour'
II was an impressive night among the men OF
the fleet for few expected that the members
Of the little crew would see another sunr,se'
The night was cloudy. with itful lightning
flashing behind the dark lines Of the shore. now
and then showing the shadows OF the battle
ments.
Clausen. the New-York's coxswain. went on
the Merr,mac against orders.
FIRED UPON BY FORTS.
soon after O'Clock the Merrimac began to
drift slowly toward the land. and IN haif an
hour was lost to sight It was Lieutenant Hob
.on.s nlan 10 steam past MorN. swing cross
w,se the channel, drop his anchors. open the
valves explode the torpedoes on the port side
loan overheard, preceded by his crew. and make
their escape in a little iifeboet which was towed
ssterp. ~ possible. and II not to attempt TO swim
ashore. All the men were heavily armed. ready
~ make a fierce resistance to capture.
Scarcely had the ship disappeared when
fash from Morros guns proclaimed that she
had been discovered Immediately the other
batteries around the harbor opened hre. but
the ship went steadily on for this morning the
ton ~ her uasts can be seen In the water be-
vond MORO and near the EstreIla battery.
heavy cannon and musketry fire continued for
about a half-hour and guns were fired at in
tervals until long after daylight None OF the
American ships dared to fire for fear OF strik-
ing the Merrimac's crew.
As daylight came on the steam launch could
be seen cruising close to the harbor entrance.
Until $50 O'Clock the search was continued. and
then. under a shower Of Spanish shells. which
flew wide Of their mark. Cadet Powell steamed
away. and haIc an hour later boarded the New
York and reported to RcarAdmral Sampson
that he bslieved the entire crew OF the Merri-
mac had been lost No. Of them did he
catch sight Of.