Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-07-13
THE HERo'S STORY.
fiobson's Modest NarritIve Of His Exploit d
Sinking the Herrimac Under Morro's
Guns.

-Ihe return Oh ASSlSldHt NdNdl
Constructor Richmond Hobson of
Merrimac fame, to his ship, the flag
ship New York, last night, was
marked by wild enthusiasm. 1t was
dark when a shout was passed
along the ship that Hobson was
coming. On the superstructure
clamored the crew ten deep and on
the quarter deck officers clustered
around the sea ladder and a hundred
hands were stretched out to grasp
Hobson's. 1t was not until he was
safe once more on deck that the crew
of the New York cheered, then they
broke out into a yell that went up
again and again and again until the
men were hoarse. Hundreds of the
crew reached forward, and a group
of men struggled around the tall
figure of a man who had dared SO
much Behind Hobson came Col.
Jacob Astor, and the first thing
Hobson tried to do was to introduce
him to the officers, but Colonel Astor
got lost in the crowd that surround
ed Hobson and insisted on taking
Hobson's hand. The transports
blew their whistles. Hobson sat
once more among his mess mates
and told the story of his experience
his marvellous escape and his i'm
prisonment in MORO castle.
II did not miss the entrance to the
harbor," he said, "as Ensign Powell
supposed. j headed for the east and
then made straight for the entrance.
Then came firing which was grand.
The forts on the hill with the Vizcaya
lying inside the harbor joining in.
Troops of the garrison had rushed
down when the news of the Mer-
rimac's coming was telegraphed and
soldiers lined the foot of the cliffs, fir
ing wildly across and killing each
other with cross firing. The Mer-
rimac's stearing gear broke as she
got to Estrella point. Only three of
the torpedoes exploded when l
touched the button. A huge sub
marine mine canght her full amid
and tearing great rent in the Mer-
rimac's side.
Her stern ran upon Estrella point
Chiefly by the work done by the
mine, she began to sink slowly. At
that time she was across the channel,
but before she settled the tide drifted
her around. We were all aft lying
on the deck. Shells and bullets
whistled around. Six inch shells
from the Vizcaya came tearing into
the Merrimac crashing into wood
and iron and passing clear through
while the plunging shots from the
forts broke through her decks. Not
a man must move,' said and it was
only owing to the splendid discipline
OF the men that all of us were not
killed as the shells rained over us,
and minutes became hours of
suspense. The mems mouths grew
parched but we must lie there until
daylight told them. Now and then
one of the men lying with his face
glued to the bulwark and wondering
whether the next shell would come
our way, would say hadn't we
better drop off now SIR but i said
wait till day light 1t would have
anywhere but to the shore where
the soldiers stood shooting, and 1
hoped that by day light we might be
recognized and saved. The grand
old Merrimac kept sinking. 1 want
ed to go forward and see the damage
hnr hnr r1v n1
was directed. But one man said If l
rose it would draw all fire on the
rest, so / lay motionless. 1t was
splendid the way these men behaved.
The fire of the soldiers batteries and
the Vizcaya was awful. When the
water came up on the Merrimac's
deck the catamaran fioated, but was
attached to the wreckage and made
fast to the boom so we had to go up
and cut her loose, The firing had
ceased except upon the New York
launch, and feared Ensign Powell
and his men had been killed.
"a Spanish launch came toward
the Merrimac. We agreed to capture
her and run. Just as she came close
the Spaniards saw us and a half
dozen marines jumped up and point
ed their rifles at our heads. Is there
any officer in that boat to receive
surrender of prisoners of war, l
shouted. An old man leaned out
under an awning and waived his
hand. 1t was Admiral Cervera.
The marines lowered their rifles and
we were helped into the launch.
Then we were put in a cell in
Moro castle. 1t was a grand sight
a few days later to see the lombard