The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-06


manner. He WIS lately at Annapolis in
charge of the post graduate course in
naval construction and is accounted one
Df the most able naval constructors In the
service, being entirely wrapped up in his
profession.
The preliminary work of this desperate
undertaking was a strain upon the OIL
GERS and men. On Wednesday morning,
directly after Rear Admiral Sampson S
arrival. and as soon as he was certain
she Spanish fleet was in the harDor, tne
preparations to scuttle the Merrimac IN
The channel were commenced Wi All aay
long crews from the New YORK and
Brooklyn were on board the collier, never
resting in their effors to prepare her.
She Law alongside the Massachusetts,, dis
charging coal when the work was nrst
begun.
travelled quickly through the fleet and
IL soon became known that volunteers
were needed for desperate undertaking.
From the Iows's signal yard quickly
fiuttered the announcement that she mad
l40 volunteers and the other ships were
enthusiasm was intense. Over 200 mem
hers of the crew volunteered to go into
that harbor and face death. The junior
Officers literally tumbled over each other
in their eagerness to get their names on
the volunteer lists.
the Merrimac, pleaded with the Admiral
to let him go, but the latter thought he
had better not.
When it was learned that only six men
and Lieut.. Hobson were to go, there was
considerable disappointment on all sides,
and when the New York's contingent
went over the side late on Wednesday
night some of those who were left, were
almost ready, brave and strong as they
wefe to sit down and cry.
/. All Wednesday night the crews worked
on board the Merrimao which then lay
close to the New York, and the other
ships, as they passed the collier, before
shutdown, cheered Ter with the same spir-
Ii that the British men of-warsmen
cheered the American sailors heroism at
Lieut.. Hobson paid a short visit to the
flagship shortly before midnight and
then returned to the Merrimac, on board
of which craft he had been all day. AS
he started down the sea ladder there
were many hands stretched out to grasp
his and many quiet words spoken, earn
est wishes for his success, as it was
thought then that Hobson would take the
Merrimac in early yesterday morning.
AT 8 o'clock the Admiral and Flag
Lieutenant Staunton got into the launch
to make an inspection OF me Merrimac;
The working gangs were still on board
of her. and on board the New York the
OFFICERS of the flagship stood on the quar-
ter deck, their glasses focused on the big
black hull that was to form an impas-
sible obstacle for Spans pest ships.
The aaih1t5s slipped by, the crews had
not completed their work on the Merri-
mac. but at last boat load of men, black
and tired out, came over to the flagship.
Last of all. at 40 came the admiral. He
had been delayed by break down OF the
steam launch.
Dawn was breaking over Santiago de
Cuba and nearly everybody thought it
was too late for the attempt to be made
that morning.
Then somebody cried:
''She is going in"
Surely enough, Ethe seemingly deserted
collier was seen heading straight for Nor
TO castle.
the flagship, and at the admiraPs order,
Lieut.. Staunton suatched up the mega.
phone and hailed the Porter, saying:
Porter, there, tell the Merrimac to re,
turn Immediately"
Smoke quickly poured from the Porter
smoke stacks and the dark little Graf
parted toward the shore.
By that time, darkness had quite disap
peared and, quickly as the fast torped,
boat tore through the water, 1t seemed
as if she would never head Off the Merri
mac
At last, when within range of the
guns of the Spaniards, the Porter crossed
the Merrimao's bow and sigh of relief
went up from the eager watchers, fol
they thought it sure death for Hobson to
venture in at that hour.
Sometime after O'Clock the Porter
came tearing back and the Merrimac, tc
everyone's surprise kept her position:
Lieut. Staunton could not understand,
until Lieut.. Fremont, from the deck Of
the torpedo boat, shouted:
"Lteut. H0bson asks permission to con.
tipQe On bis course. he thinks he can
mike It,"
Hpt. in stern tones, THE admiral sent
Hobeon message to the effect that the
Meffimao must return at once and, In
dps course Of time, the doomed collier
slowly steamed back, her commander
evideptJy disappointed with the order re.
ceiyed from the admiral through the com.
mahder OF the Porter. Hobson's figure
standing out viyidly on the lonely bridge
All day yesterday the collier lay near
the flagship and more elaborate prepare
tions were made TO carry out the mission
of the MerfimAc successfully. During
these preparations Hobson was the cool.
and confident, ;, supervising personally
When, finally, Hobsop went on board
Without sleep since Wednesday morn.
Ing. His uniform was begritned. his
hands were black and he 16oked ike a
man who had been hard at work in and
about an engine room for long time.
IA be said goodbye, the lieutenant re.
marked THAT his 2nIy regret was that
all Of the New York's volunteers could
not go with him.
Rear Admiral Sampson, speaking Of
the expedition. said,
81 think he viii have fair chance TO
get out. Yes, it is pldcky. very plucky. !"
When the Merrfmao started yesterday
morning on the trip from which shs was
recalled, che had ON board Of her two
men, who had no right to be there.
They were Assistant Engineer Crank Of
the Merrimac and BoatsWain Mu1iin n
the New York, who had been working
on the collier all day
These two men refused to leave the
ship and, as their disobedience was OF The
nature which produced Cushing and
Farragut for the navy 1t was not ofioiai,
~ recognized.
The spirits shown by the men and ola.
GERS of the fleet in connection with The
MerriTna1 eynadittoD is reallv rvroSd .-5