The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-06-14
OCCUPATION OF CUBA HAS BEGUN
Six Hundred Marines Pitch their Tents Above the Ruins Of the Outer
Foficatons Of Guantanamo, and the Stars and Stripes
Now Float Over the Soil Of Cuba

Spanish ships by obstructing the narrow
part of the entrance by sinking Il collier
1T that point. Upon calling upon Mr..
Hobson for his professional opinion as
to Il sure method of sinking the snip
he manifested the most lively interest III
the problem. After several days con-
Sideration he presented Il solution which
he considered would insure the Immediate
sinking Of the Ship when she reached
the desired point in the channel This
plan we prepared for execution when Te
reached Santiago The plan contempla
ted Il crew of only seven men and Mr.
IobSOn. who begged that it might be en-
trusted to him. The anchor chains were
arranged on deck for both the anchors.
forward and aft. the plan including the
anchoring of the ship automatically.
..As soon as | reached Santiago and |
had Il collier to work upon the details
were completed and diligently proSecrl-
ted. we hoping to complete them i'll one
day as the noon and tide served best the
first night after our arrival. NotWlth
standing every effort, the hour of four
o'clock in the morning arrived, and
the preparations was scarcely complet-
cd. After il careful inspection of the
final preparations | was forced to re-
linouSh the plan for that morning as
to try il ut all hazards
This morning proved more propitlouS
as Il prompt start could be made. Moth
ing could have been more calamity exc
cutcd. We waited impatiently after the
firing by The SpaniardS had ceased.
When the men did not rc-appcar from the
harhor at Is o'clock | feared that they
had I'll persisted. \ steam launch which
had been sent in charge of naval Ga
def Powell to rescue the men appeared
ut this time coming out under Il persist
cnt fire of he batteries. but brought none
Of the crew. \ careful inspection of the
harhor from this ship showed that the
vessel Mcrrimac had been sunk in the
channel
This afternoon the chief of staff Of
Admiral Ccrvera came out under a
flag Of truce With Il letter from the
Admiral eXtollng the bravery OF the
crew in~an unusual manner
Il cannot myself too earnestly cN-
press my appreciation Of the conduct
of Mr.. Iohson and his gallant crew. !
venture to say that more brave and
daring thing has not been done since
Gushing blow up the Albcmarlc.
"Refcrring to the inspiring letter which
YOU addressed to the officers at the
beginning Of the war | am sure YOU will
offer suitable professional reWarj
to Mr.. lIobson and his companons.
Il must add that Commander H. NJ.
Miller reinuuishcd his command With
the very greatest reluctance believing
he should retain his command under aII
circumstances. He was finally convinc-
cd of the attempt, and the person to
carry out the details which had been III
preparation by Mr.. Hohson might on
danger its proper execution. | therefor,
took the liberty to relieve him for this
reason only. There were hundreds oi
volunteers who We're anxious to partiCI
pate: there were 80 from the Iowa
| nearly as many from this ship and large
numbers from Ill other ships officers anG
men alike.
| tSigncd). w. L. SAMPSON.