The times., 1899-06-04

despatch from Admiral sampson to the
Navy Department:
Mole. St Nicholas, Haiti, June l.
Succeeded in sinking the MeTTimac in the chan
mel al Santiago at i. m, June 3.
Tgis WAS carried out most EaIlantly under com
msnd Of Naval Constructor Hohson.
b. hsg uf Truce nom the Spanish Admiral
Cervrfa. sent in recognition Of their bravery, |
am informed that all prisoners Of war, two
slightly wounded. Desire authority TO approve
exchange il possible, between those and prisoners
at Atlanta
six spanish squadron in harbor at Santiago
unable TO avoid being captured or DESTROYED.
SAMPSON.
In the sinking OF the ship it was Admiral
SIMPSONS purpose to block the entrance
and thus prevent the escape of Admiral
Cervers's squadron. Once the plan of
blockading the channel was decided upon
the Merrimac was selected for the purpose
as. owing to her length, $50 feet, it was
believed she would completely close the
channel even if she did not sink directly
across it. Thursday evening, June 2. Ad-
miral Sampson caused it 10 be known
aboard the ships that volunteers were
wanted for the perilous task of running
the vessel past the batteries and sinking
her. It was desperate undertaking, as
every man in the feet knew, for the
chances were very great that if the Merri-
mac passed the batteries unscathed she
might be blown up by a mine.
This however did not deter either Off
GERS or men from volunteering. In fact
they jumped al the chance, and not a man
among the 400 in the whole feet could be
found who was not willing to make the
attempt TO carry out the plan. Naval
Constructor Hobson, who had first conceiy-
ed the idea of sinking the Merrimac, vas
allowed TO lead the peTilous undertaking.
The crew was made up Of the following
enlisted men of the feet: Osborn Diegnan,
coxswain OF the Merrimac; George F.
Phillips, a machinist OF the Merrimac;
John Kelly. a water-tender of the Merri-
mac; George Charette. a gunner's mate on
the flagship New York; Daniel Montague.
a seaman of The cruiser Brooklyn; J. C.
Murphy. a coxswain OF the Iowa, and
Randolph Clausen, coxswain OF the New
York To man the launch which was de-
tailed to follow the Merrimac four men
aud Naval Cadet Joseph W. Powell were
selected.
After everything had been arranged the
officers and crew of the Merrimac went on
board This was about midnight ON Thurs
day ii being the intention TO accomplish
the hazardous undertaking in the darkness
Then with everything in readiness and with
those on board of her facing what ap-
peared to be sure death, the Merrimae
started for the entrance. The Spaniards
were wide awake. however, and began a
terrific fire on the vessel, which was
answered from the feet. The Merrimac
was hit a number of times. but the shots
did not check her progress, and she went
along until the narrowest part OF the chan
mel was reached. where she dropped her
anchor Then there was an explosion in
her hold, caused by a torpedo which had
been placed there by the Americans for
the purpose.
Ina short time she began TO settle and
sank in about twenty-three feet of water.
The eight men on board were well aft when
the explosion occurred, and were not hurt
Meanwhile Constructor Hobson and the
brave men with him escaped from the
sinking vessel on a raft. The fire Of the
Spanish batteries was directed at the frail
craft. and a perfect hail Of shot and shell
began to fall about the constructor and his
little band Hobson quickly saw that for
him and his crew 10 pass out OF the harbor
in face of the fire from the batteries would
be certain death. They therefore calmly
made for the Cristobal Colon, the flagship
of the Spanish squadron, where they yield
the crew were struck by fragments of
shells. but were not seriously injured
Admiral Cervera recognized and admired
the bravery Of the intrepid little band and
treated them with marked kindness and
consideration. Later in the day the Span
ish commander sent boat with a flag OF
truce 10 Admiral Sampson. informing him
of the capture of Constructor Hobson and
his crew and informing him as TO their
safety. The prisoners were taken shortly
after their capture TO Morro Castle, where
they were confined until their exchange
was effected.
The news OF Hobson's exploit was re-
ceived with the greatest enthusiasm in
the United States and American valor was
praised in all quarters of the globe.
The following is the detailed report Of
the sinking of the Merrimac by the nava
constructor and his crew sent to the Navy
+ Department by Admiral Sampson:
L. s Flagship New York First Rate.
on santiago de Cuba. Cuba, June 3, 1893.
SIR: Permit me to call your especial attention
= TO the brave conduct Of Assistant Naval Con
stractor Hohsou. As stated in 4 recent Telegram
bcfOre coming here. ! decided TO make the harbo
entrance secure against the possibility Of egres
of the Spanish ships by ohstruCiing the narroN
part Of the entrance by sinking a collier at tha
point. Upon calling upon Nj. Hobson for his pro
fesSiOnal opinion to sure method Of sinkiB
the ship. lie manifested 4 most liNelf lnteFes
in the problem After several days consideration
he presented solution which he considered woul
ins1rr the immediate sinking OF the ship whe
she had reached the desired point in the channel
This plan we prepared for before We reache
SzatiagO This plan included ten electric tor
pedoss the outside OF the ship, each Of seventy
eight pounds Of gunpowder, sinking the ship par
tally before going in; cutting the sea valves an
opening the cargo ports. The plan contemplate
OF only men and Mr. Hobsoa, VIII
hesrfd might he entrusted to him M
Rnchor chains ranged upon deck for bot
the anchors, forward and aft. the plan includin
the snclIoring of the slrp almost automatically
A soon as ] reached Santiago and had IN
collier 70 work upon the details were commence
and diligently prosecuted, hoping to complet
them in one day, as the moon and the tide serve
best the hrst night after our arrival. NOtwiti
n1sHJtng every effort the hour OF O'Clock IN tn
morning arrived and the preparations were scarcel
completed. After a careful inspection Of th
final preparations ! forced 10 relinquish III
plan for that morning, IS dawn was breaking
Mr.. Hobson begged 10 Try IL at all hazards.
Tiis morning proved propitious, as
rrompt start could le made. Nothing coul.
have been more CALAMITY executed We waite'
impaticntly after the firing by the spaniard
had ceased When they did Tesppear from tn
lartor al O'Clock feared they had all persisted
steam launch. which had been sent in charg
OF Naval Cadet Powell to rescue the men, ap
Pcared - this time, coming OUT under per
Elstent ATc from the batteries, but brought non
Of the crew. A careful inspection Of the harb0
from this ship showed that the Merrimac hai
heen sunk in the channel somewhat farther il
thsH had been intended
This afternoon the chief Of staf OF Admira
Cezfera came out under flag Of truce with ie'
Ger nom the admiral extolling the bravery
the crew in unusual manner.
I csHnot myself too earnestly express my aI
probation Of the conduct Of Mr.. BObson and hi
gallant crew. venture 10 say that q NOR
brave and daring thing has not been done sine
Gushing blew up the AIbemsrie.
Referring 10 the inspiring letter which you nd
dnrssed 20 the officers at the beginning Of tn
~sr. ! am sure you viii offer suitable profe:
sio1al reward To Mr.. Hobsou and his corunsr