Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1899-01-18
HoBsoN'S FIRST PLAN.
Merrimac to Fly Spanish colors and
Fcign Chase.


Lieut.. Richmond Pearson Hobson Is
writing for the Century Magazine his
story of THE Sinking of the Merrl-
mae" Lieut. Hobson says. after tell
ing of the decision TO sink the Merrlmac
in the harbor entrance:
Various plans were considered. That
of feigning chase suggested itself
from the fact that Spanish golfers were
supposed 10 be on their way TO Santiago.
One had recently been captured by the
ST. Paul, and from her 1t was learned
that others were soon expected. BY
this method the Merrlmac would ap-
proach by night from the eastward;
when about five miles away she would
he discovered by blockading vessels,
searchlghts would be thrown towards
her. and fire opened. care being taken
TO fire wide and throw the lights In
front and on the sides, TO show the
splash of striking projectiles
The Merrmac. upon discovery, would
bear in toward the shore to within
about two thousand yards, apparently
to seek the shelter of batteries. she
would throw pitch on the fires to make
heavy black smoke. as If forcing to the
utmost. She would head in towards the
entrance and turn full down the course
for entering the channel, blowing her
whistle in blasts as of fright and dis
tress. The searchlght would fash
across and show a Spanish flag at her
peak. On approaching, the lights would
be thrown on the entrance TO facilitate
her navigation. but carefully avoiding
resting upon her. The shore batteries
opening on the chasing vessels would
be replied TO and kept diverted. If they
opened on the Merrimac. searchlights
would be thrown in the gunners faces.
However an examination of the chart
showed the difficulties of navigation to
be so great that no sane captain would
attempt to take in collier at night or
under circumstances that did not admit
of the utmost deliberation. 1t was
known that tugs We're used by single
screw vessels of any size on account of
the turn in the channel abreast Estralia
Point. The chances seemed to be
against the enemy's being deceived, and
navigation depending upon searchlights
would entail chances of failure.
This plan, and various other plans in
volving the cooperation of the fleet,
were discarded in favor of the simpler
plan Of going in alone by moonlight,
just before the moon should set. Sur
prise, under any condition, could be
only Martial host eli aaptn In
amount of light was absolutely neces-
sary for navigation. The conditions for
surprise would be more favorable to-
ward daybreak Moreover, fiood-tide
must be chosen, so that, in case of
breaking the anchor gear, the vessel
would be set into the channel and have
ample time for sinking before the ebb
could tend to throw her out, while the
chances Of being carried by the tide
through the whole length of the narrow
channel into the inner harbor seemed
improbable The establishment of the
port" or time of high tide, was about
eight hours and quarter, so that the
tide would be running strong flood as
the moon set. The moon was then ap-
preaching full, and calculations showed
that 1t would set at Santiago about half
past three on Thursday, June 9. We
were speeding at about thirteen knots
the Oregon had demonstrated her
ability to maintain that speed-and we
would therefore arrive off Santiago
early Wednesday morning and have
most of the day and night of Wednes-
day for preparations. Thursday was
therefore set for entering, though the
admiral expressed the opinion that It
would be found impossible to complete
the preparations in time. The special
advantage of Thursday was that there
would be an interval of darkness Of
about an hour and quarter between
the time Of moonset and daybreak,
while on Friday this interval would be
reduced to about half an hour, and on
Saturday day would break before moon
set. 1t will be understood that an inter-
val of darkness, though short, might be
found of advantage for completing the
work or for making escape.
Preparations were therefore begun at
once. the greatest amount of detail be-
Ing required for the process of sinking
Feeding the Ears OF Soldiers.