The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-21
HOW THEA SUNK THE MERRIMAC.
Helmxman Osborn w. Dfegnan Tells
the story I'm Simple Language.
Frank Lesl.e's Popular NJ

Al q CLOCK All l9G SoiuAisSI crew
were ordered of, and We then made our
second attempt for the entrance. Ii was
cloudy and dark, and the vessel was headed
north-northeast The Snaniards had
placed a fashlight on the hill in the inner
harbor, SO that by steering straight for the
light ii would bring US directly in the en-
trance Of the harbor-io our great adyan-
tage.
AS We headed for the entrance We strip
ped of all clothing except a pair OF trunks;
Lieut. Hobson had on suit OF underwear
We had each life preserver, belt with
thirty-two rounds OF ammunition. and
revolver.
Ensign Powell, Of the New York. volun-
teered his services and Was to follow us in
with steam launch and pick US up.
We arrived at the harDor entrance at
$50, when the first shot was fired at us by
the Spaniards. 1t came from our port
bow, and struck the water on our star
board quarter. having passed over the
bridge where Lieut.. Hobson and myself
were standing. The rush OF wind from this
hour. because Lieut.. Hobson came 10 the
pinnacle light at the compass and looked
a, his watch, which he had retained. He
instructed me then to keep the vessel right
In the middle of the entrance until further
orders from him.
The vessel was going at full speed at this
time. The second shot that was fired car
RED away our steering gear, but We were
then well into the entrance OF the harbor
We did not find this out, however, until we
were in the narrow part OF the channel.
vessel. He then gave me the order TO put
the wheel hard aport, and did so. flashing
1t. when ] found she did not answer TO the
helm. Lieut. Hobson noticed this. and sent
Charette down on deck to find out what
was wrong with the steering gear. Cha
rette returned and reported one Of the rud-
then gave the signal 10 stop the engines,
and for the fireman to open the sea valves
and come up.
All this time there was constant fire
ROW hail on he hatr
side, the western battery giving us the
most trouble. There was also a heavy fire
from Smith Cay and from a Spanish war
ship In front. The effect of this heavy
cross FIRE is indescrhsble, II seemed to me
Ike all one roar and flash. and as though
the heavens had opened. and Il was raining
ships length. and by the light from the
fash Of their guns ard exploding shells we
could plainly distinguish objects from one
end of the ship 10 the other
dashed the wheel hard aport. and re-
ported this cuty performed. Lieut. Hobson
said. Very well-go down and explode
your mine
ON the way down mei Clausen on the
same mission. and he took one wire az
tached to the battery. and the other. We
Joined them together, and there was an ex-
plosion underneath that Knocked as of our
feet. After We had exploded the mine we
went TO the starboard side arnidships.
where II was arranged We were all to meet
after having performed our duties. We
were only there abou; minute when Mon
tague joined US, and In another minute or
two We were Joined by Charetle, Murphy
Phillips and Lieut.. Hobson. We Thought
everybody was there. but In an instant
mans form appeared coming around the
corner Of the deckb3use. Lieut.. Hobson
drew his revolver and covered him. for a
moment not realizing who IL might be-
The man proved TO be Kelley.
Kelley shouted, I'm hts broad Scotch way.
How long has this been going on? /
thought IL was tire New York firing blank
cartridges at as"
While be was approaching us he received
wound from piece OF an exploded shell,
cheek.
We al lay on the deck. packed like sar-
dimes in box. with shots flying about
oar heads. expecting every minute 10 be
killed Under these trying circunstances
Ilent. HobsoG ordered us 10 remain where
ee We're Instead Of carrying out the orig
iual plan of taking TO the boat, because ex-
gsoslre at this moment above the ran would
have meant certain death. the lights from,
the shore batteries making iss easy targets
IL was now about 3:s", and We remained
there about twenty minutes longer Oar
vessel then gave a list 10 sfarhaar4 ard wa
realized sh&t she vas sinking. Lieut. Hob
son. when he saw she was sinking sad
Very good they are helping us out. they
are doing IL for Us" He also expsasasd To
uS thai the SParars4s would probably raA So
nftng when she vent down. At this time
the water @as pouring la over the star
beard rail-. coming Down on Us. when Ne
scrambled 10 our feet and seized he raj 10
prevent being washed into TIE h0i7 The
ship f6s1 gave n lsgt 70 port the water
coming over our port rail. and JUST az thss
moment se took advantage Of the ef,slxsr-
tan3ty 10 sara BIT over the SfarFaara rail-
taking eaFe NOT - expose ourselves above
x too long We al .espea overheard and
swan for the Eafsmar3n. which was noat-
iag near tne saips side Just as we started
fer Il the M@Er1rTlae sank. ard the suction
drew us down. with her under the water
As tie Merr1rnae sank the sranI4rkss sans
1.p etiefr. believing tney had sunk some
large a2F Tessa3- When I came "a ,hs
surface. saS the caEaHsaran Coating near
me ard A. ofsee made far = Just as
reached tjs Il ~ szet AM ttiF1es! over be-
inE attached 20 The Nsrrisusr tsr fse rar,s
on top sAgs causing 80 20 tgrn bottom sd.
up Thus ~e we're again drawn loan ar
der the water. ard when came 10 sha xg.r-
face lhts NE el3 not see the casarrsarsa
sser AIRY % r8y comrades.
fEe heavy guns having ceased firing
heard voice. sad ! made Fzr fss ss~s.es7ss,.
AID f3&na fsAs RAJ % tae cres Il nxanr "a
fn~ c2sarraraB WIFI only saa4tr feaNs sf,.,s<
Ire water. We we're tod 20 rer,ssy7 vr-a~@