[jafiriSfifSi YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Ill 17 RICHMOND PEARSON HOBSON, NAVAL CONSTRUCTOR, U. S. N. THE SINKING OF THE MERRIMAC" ii A PEESONAL NARRATIVE OP THE ADVENTURE IN THE HARBOR OP SANTIAGO DE CUBA, JUNE 3, 1898, AND OP THE SUBSEQUENT IMPRISONMENT OF THE SURVIVORS BY RICHMOND PEARSON HOBSON NAVAL CONSTEUCTOE, U. S. N. i^s^i^m NEW YORK THE CENTURY CO. 1899 Copyright, 1898, 1899, by The Century Co. The DeVinne Press TO REAB-ADMIRAL WILLIAM T. SAMPSON U. S. N. CONTENTS PART I THE SCHEME ,AND THE PREPARATIONS PAGE A suggestion from San Juan—" Unsinkables " for Havana- Admiral Sampson announces his purpose— The plan of feigning a chase; why discarded — The plan of stealing in adopted— Two methods of sinking the collier— The tor pedoes—Arrangement of the torpedoes— The firing of the torpedoes— The general plan of the manoeuver— Other details- Arrival at Santiago and reconnoitering— Inspect ing the ilfemmac— Hundreds of volunteers— Chaos on the Merrimac — Trouble with anchors and chains — Final prep arations under difSculties— The Merrimac's flag— Trial trip and inspection— The flrst attempt: off at last— The recall and postponement 1 PART II THE RUN IN Disappointment at the recall— A day of waiting— The plan of going in at sunset— Two elements of weakness— Mul len's pluck— Kindness of officers— Good-by to the flagship —The look of things— Rehearsing the work— Clausen not a stowaway— Precautions for rescue— The last meal on the Merrimac and final preparations— Making for the en trance—The flring begins— Loss of the steering-gear — vii CONTENTS PAGE Trouble with the torpedoes— A crisis off Estrella Point- Kelly's narrow escape— Beginning to sink— Conversation on deck— A focus of fire— The final plunge— In the vor tex—Clinging to the catamaran— Admiral Cervera to the rescue "^ PART III IMPRISONMENT EST MORRO CASTLE Generous reception on the Mercedes— A surprise for the Spanish officers— How the news of the crew's safety came to be sent to Admiral Sampson— Refiections on the result of the manoeuver— Removal to the Morro — Courtesies from Admiral Cervera— In the cell of the Morro— Captain Bustamante's kindness— "Every man would do it again to-night, sir"— Comforts from the British consul — Aston ishing report of casualties in the Merrimac affair — Why the manoeuver failed— A fancy of what might have hap pened—Our rations— Spanish and American soldiers com pared—More courtesies— A reconnaissance from the cell window— A midnight intruder — A question of humanity —SuppUes from the fieet— An official inquiry— Thoughts of escape— Under fire from the American fleet— Inventing a plan of attack— After the bombardment 124 PART rv PRISON LIFE IN SANTIAGO AND OBSERVATIONS OP THE SIEGE The tramp from the Morro to Santiago— The new prison— The writer's comfortable quarters— A visit from the British consul— Sad new.s of Acosta— First tidings from home— viii CONTENTS PAGE The flrst meal in the new quarters— A bit of chUd life — The first night— Protests against the treatment of the crew —Boxing-gloves and reading-matter— Plans for escape- Despair of being exchanged— The Spanish soldier and his horse— Brutality to dogs— Studying the mihtary situation —The question of health— Nature from a prison window —The British consul's attentions— His noble character- First sight of the Stars and Stripes— Two ruses— The bat tles of July 1 (El Caney and San Juan)— Notes of the fighting of July 2— July 3 : hearing the guns of the fleets —July 4: non-combatants leaving— A bold request— Ex change at last — A lamented enemy— Good-bys— A singu lar cavalcade— Through the lines— Back to the flagship . 211 IX LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Richmond Pbaeson Hobson, Naval Con- ) -,-,..¦¦ STEUCTOE, U. S. N. \ ^'^'''P'^ From a photograph by Eockwood. PAOB Reae- Admieal William T. Sampson, U. S. N 5 Shape of the Toepedoes Used to Sink the " Meeei- mac" 8 Map of the Enteance to Santiago Haeboe .... 11 Plan and Elevation of the "Meeeimac," Showing Aeeangement of the Toepedoes, on the Poet Side 14 Diageam Showing the Attachment of the Toepedoes TO THE Belt-Line and the Hogging-Line .... 16 Teansveese Section of the "Meeeimac," Showing Position of the Belt-Line Holding the Toepedoes and of the Hogging-Line 18 Sectional Deawing of a Tokpedo 20 Plan of the Mancbuvee as Peojected 23 Moeeo Castle, Santiago 25 Admieal Sampson, Commodoee Schley, and Me. Hobson Inspecting the Santiago Enteance feom the Deck OF THE " New Yoek " 29 Me. Hobson Reconnoitebing the Haeboe Enteance 33 Assistant-Engineee Robeet K. Ceank 37 From a photograph by P. Gutekunst. xi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE The "Meeeimac" as a Colliee among the Fleet . 41 Hauling the ANCHOE-CHAm to the Steen . . • • 47 The Good-by to Admieal Sampson 59 The Membbes of Me. Hobson's Ceew ^^ Ensign Joseph Weight Powell 77 From a photograph by M. M. Casler. The Last Meal befoeb Enteeing 85 Plan op the Manceuvee as Executed June 3, 1898 . 89 Challenging Kelly 99 The "Meeeimac" Ageound and undee Fiee off Es- TEELLA Point 105 On thb Deck op the "Meeeimac" 109 The Sinking of the "Meeeimac" 113 Spaniaeds Seaeching foe thb Ceew with Lantbens . 117 The Rescue by Admieal Ceeveea 121 CONTEAALMIEANTE PaSCUAL CeEVEEA Y ToPETE ... 125 Captain Don Emilio J. de Acosta 129 The " Rbina Mbecbdes," Sunk July 4, 1898, and Moeeo Castle feom the West 133 Reduced Facsimile of the Fiest Deapt op the Des patch TO Admieal Sampson 137 The Ameeican Peisonees Leaving the "Reina Mbe cbdes" 141 Mounting to the Moeeo ,./ 145 Admieal Ceeveea Visiting Me. Hobson in the Guard- \ Room at Moeeo Castle 14g. Me. Hobson's Cell in Moeeo Castle if^. View inside Moeeo Castle, feom the Staies Mount ing TO Me. Hobson's Cell I57 Moeeo Castle, peom the Socapa Side 161 xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE Steam-Launch op the "New Yoek" Bbinging Captain Bustamantb to the Flagship with a Flag of Teuce, and News op the Safety op the "Mee eimac" Peisonees 165 OUTEE POETCULLIS, MOEEO CASTLE 169 Santiago Channel peom the Top of Moeeo Castle . 175 Plan op Me. Hobson's Cell in Moeeo Castle ... 181 Battery to the Eastwaed op Moeeo Castle, Includ ing Old Guns (1748-54) 187 MoBTAES ON Top op Moeeo 191 Me. Hobson Looking out op the Cell Window due- ing the bombaedment 195 Moeeo Castle peom the Southwest 199 punta goeda, looking up the channel, showing Eaethwoek ON THB Cliff 203 Baebed-Wiee Entanglement neae the Moeeo . . . 207 View neae Moeeo Castle, Looking towaed Santiago 213 Fiest View of Santiago peom the Moeeo Teail . 217 Me. Hobson's Aeeival at his Room in the Cuaetel 223 Enteance to the Cuaetbl Reina Mercedes, San tiago, WHEEE THE "MeEEIMAC" PeISONEBS WEBB Confined 231 Plan op the Quaetees m the Cuaetel Rbina Mbe cbdes 237 Enteance to the Cell of the Ceew, feom the Courtyaed 239 Membbes of the "Meeeimac" Ceew Boxing in the COUETYAED OP THE CUAETEL IN FeONT OP SANTIAGO 241 The Late Feedeeick W. Ramsden, British Consul AT Santiago 257 View peom the Roof op the Cuaetel Reina Mercedes 268 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE View from the Window of Mb. Hobson's Cell in the Cuaetel Reina Meecedes 269 Map op Santiago, Showing Positions op Teoops on THE Last Days of the Siege, Appeoximatbly Coe- BBCT foe June 6 283 The " Meeeimac " Peisonees Leaving the Cuaetel to BE Exchanged, July 6 293 The Subbendeb-Teeb, peom the Spanish Lines. San Juan Hill m the Distance 297 Reception of Me. Hobson and the Ceew op the "Meeeimac" by American Soldibes in Front op Santiago 301 XIV THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" cmr^s^EcmR^ THE SINKING OP THE "MERRIMAC" PART I THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS A suggestion from San Juan— "Unsinkables" for Havana — Admiral Sampson announces his purpose — The plan of feign ing a chase; why discarded — The plan of stealing in adopted — Two methods of sinking the collier— The torpedoes— Ar rangement of the torpedoes— The firing of the torpedoes— The general plan of the manceuver— Other details— Arrival at Santiago and reconnoitering— Inspecting the Merrimac — Hundreds of volunteers— Chaos on the itfernmac— Trouble with anchors and chains— Final preparations under difficul ties—The Merrimac's flag— Trial trip and inspection— The first attempt; off at last — The recall and postponement. ON May 29, 1898, Admiral Sampson's flagship, the New York, lay at Key West, outside the reef, hurriedly coaling from lighters on both sides. The Oregon, just arrived after her notable voyage around Cape Horn, lay near at hand, coaling with equal 1 1 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" despatch. It was evident to all that an urgent pur pose and a definite objective were in mind. A few days before, the flagship had suddenly left the squadron patrolling along the mouths of the channels of the Bahamas, and had run full speed to Key West. Despatches had come on board giving information that the Spanish fleet, under Admiral Cervera, had put into Santiago harbor ; but evi dently Admiral Sampson's anxiety was not relieved, for he left the squadron under Commodore Watson to guard the approaches to Havana, despatched the New Orleans to Commodore Schley on the south of Cuba, and went post-haste to the nearest coaling- station, taking his flagship alone. The admiral's purpose was not known to me, but the circumstances of the coaling showed clearly that distant service was in view. I deemed it proper, before leaving for such service, to make known to him certain features of a plan relating to the pro spective reduction of Havana, the details of which, if it should be adopted, would require early atten tion; and it was while I was making this report that the admiral first proposed to me his scheme of sinking the Merrimac at Santiago. The reduction of so strongly garrisoned a city by land forces would involve enormous loss of life, but our armored vessels, under cover of night, could run the formidable fortifications, if only the mines and torpedoes could be disposed of. For many 2 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS weeks, as assistant naA^al constructor with the fleet, I had been studying the elements of strength and weakness in our own vessels and the vessels of the enemy, particularly from the standpoint of stability and fire service in battle, and I had made special reports to the admiral upon each vessel. This in vestigation showed that our vessels were particu larly weak before torpedo or mine attack. In fact, the New York, the Wilmington, and the Helena were about the only vessels of the admiral's squadron that could stand a single torpedo blow, and these vessels were among those least adapted for stand ing the fire of fortifications. The vessels best adapted for running fortifications, the monitors, would sink like a shot under the blow of a torpedo. This fact had been emphasized during the action at San Juan, Porto Rico, on May 12. It became evident, after three hours' bombardment, that the fortifications could not be reduced at ranges above two thousand yards, and could be reduced at short ranges only after heavy loss. It appeared to me that the best method of reducing San Juan was to run by the fortifications into the harbor. The en trance, of course, was mined, and it was reported, on good authority, that a vessel had been sunk in such a way as to leave only a narrow space for passage, this narrow space itself being heavily mined. Soon after the bombardment I had reported to the ad miral on a method of going in, asking to be allowed 3 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" to take two steam-launches with volunteer crews, to start about midnight, and slip in close under the shore through the neck from the westward, and then come out by the main channel, dragging it, sweeping the mines, and locating sunken vessels, the exit of the launches to be followed by the en trance of the armored vessels. The admiral had listened to the proposition kindly and apparently with approval, but had replied that until the enemy's fleet was met he could not risk even a single vessel, and that, under the conditions, it was evident that the. sweeping of the channel could be only partial at best. I then had set to work on the problem of clearing a channel of torpedoes and mines. The result was the outline design of a craft specially constructed to be unsinkable, having the general form of an iron canal-boat, operating by its own motive power, rendered unsinkable by being stowed with air-tight cans a foot long, and made indestructible by special arrangements in construction and by the use of wire cables. I had elaborated a plan for the use of five such unsinkable craft, to precede the fleet in entering the harbor of Havana. As the construc tion and preparation of the unsinkables would re quire six weeks or two months, I thought it best to make report of my plan to the admiral before the departure from Key West. I did so on May 29. After listening with attention to the plans, the 4 Drawn from lite by Cecilia Beaux, at Ulen Kidge, H. J., August 30, 1898. REAR-ADMIRAL WILLIAM T. SAMPSON, U. S. N. THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS admiral said that at the time it was not a ques tion of how to make a vessel unsinkable while entering an enemy's harbor protected by mines, torpedoes, and artillery, but how to make a vessel sink in an enemy's harbor, and make her sink swiftly and surely ; that it was " not a question of an unsinkable, but of a sinkable " ; not a question of Havana, but of Santiago; and that at a subse quent date he would consider the question of unsinkables. He then confided to me that he was about to start for Santiago, where Admiral Cervera's fieet had taken refuge, and that he intended to sink a collier in the channel, stating that he had, indeed, already ordered the commanding officer off Santiago to sink such a collier, naming the Merrimac, which was then on the south side of Cuba, but scarcely expected to find it done, though the order had been sent by the New Orleans. He then asked how an iron ship could be scut tled and made to sink quickly. After thinking over the question for some time I replied, in effect, that there seemed to be two effective methods, one to drive off bottom plates from the inside, and the other to explode a series of torpedoes placed advan tageously on the outside. We examined the chart of the harbor together, and I expressed full confi dence in the practicability of putting the vessel into the channel, and stated that I should be happy 7 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" to be allowed to endeavor to carry out the work. The admiral then instructed me to study the ques tion in detail and report to him. This was on the morning of May 29. I studied the subject during the afternoon and evening, and thought about it during the night. We got under way about mid night, and stood to the southward, the Oregon hav ing already left. We were off Havana early in the SHAPE OF THB TORPEDOES USED TO SINK THE "MEEEIMAC." morning, were joined by the Oregon and the May flower, and stood to the eastward at fuU speed. My study included the complete plans, the choice of circumstances, and the navigation and manceu- vering of the vessel, as well as the method of sink ing her. All these features were reported upon, and the plans being approved by the admiral, prelimi nary preparations were begun on the 30th. Various plans were considered. That of feigning a chase suggested itself from the fact that Spanish colliers were supposed to be on their way to Santi ago. One had recently been captured by the St. Paul, and from her it was learned that others were 8 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS soon expected. By this method the Merrimac would approach by night from the eastward ; when about five miles away she would be discovered by block ading vessels, search-lights would be thrown toward her, and fire opened, care being taken to shoot wide and to throw the lights in front and on the sides, in order to show the splash of striking projectiles. The Merrimac, 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 her speed to the utmost. She would head in toward the entrance and turn full down the course for entering the channel, blow ing her whistle in blasts as of fright and distress. The search-light would flash across and show a Spanish flag at her peak. On approaching, the lights would be thrown on the entrance to facilitate her navigation, but care would be taken not to allow them to rest upon her. The shore batteries which should fire on the chasing vessels would be replied to and thus kept diverted. If they opened on the Merrimac, search-lights 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 a collier at night or under circumstances that did not admit bf the utmost deliberation. It was known that tugs 9 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" were used by single-screw vessels of any size on account of the turn in the channel abreast Estrella Point. (See map, page 11.) The chances seemed to be against the enemy's being deceived, and navi gation depending upon search-lights would entail chances of failure. This plan, and various other plans involving 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. Surprise, under any condition, could be only partial at best, since a certain amount of light was absolutely necessary for navigation. The conditions for surprise would be more favorable toward daybreak. Moreover, a flood-tide must be chosen, so that, in case of break ing 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 were very small. The " establishment of the port," or time of high tide, was about eight hours and a quarter, so that the tide would be run ning strong flood as the moon set. The moon was then approaching full, and calculations showed that on Thursday, June 2, it would set at Santiago at about half -past three. We were speeding at nearly thirteen knots,— the Oregon had demonstrated her ability to maintain that speed,— and we should 10 Drawn by D. B. Keeler from a United States Government Chart. MAP OF THE ENTRANCE TO SANTIAGO HAEBOR. THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" therefore arrive off Santiago early Wednesday morning and have most of the day and night of Wednesday for preparations. Thursday was there fore 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 a 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 mooliset. It will be understood that an interval of darkness, though short, might be found of advantage for completing the work or for mak ing escape. Preparations were therefore begun at once, the greatest amount of detail being required for the process of sinking. Investigation had shown that the two methods of sinking the vessel that first suggested themselves were the only ones practicable— that of driving off bottom plates by forces applied from the inside, and that of using a series of torpedoes on the out side. Both of these methods were reported on to the admiral, my recommendation being in favor of the torpedoes. The method of driving oft oottom plates consisted in selecting six plates in adv^ -\tageous positions along the length, about twelve ft- flfteen feet below 12 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS the water-line, cutting off all rivet-heads on the inside, leaving the plates simply held in place, then placing a small improvised cannon near the center of each plate, with cross-bars to distribute the force of the explosion and cause the plate to be blown off whole in each case, instead of merely causing a hole to be blown through it. This improvised can non was to be nothing more than a short length of nine-inch piping, containing black powder, rammed tight, and held by a strut carried up to the deck- beam above, with wedges under the heel, the pow der being fired at will by an ordinary electric primer. It was explained to the admiral that the cutting off of rivet-heads would be difficult under the cir cumstances and would involve two, if not three, days' delay; in consequence only the torpedo method was practicable for Thursday or Friday. The latter method, therefore, was the one adopted. This method was to arrange ten torpedoes on the port side, placed outside abreast the bulkheads and the cargo-hatches so as to give the maxi mum sinking effect to a breach opened up by each, the torpedoes being carried by a fore-and-aft belt- line extending along the outside from end to end about twelve feet below water, each torpedo, in addition, having a hogging- or girth-line, extending around underneath the keel, for holding the tor pedo in its place. The purpose of the fore-and-aft 13 4 5 e 7 8 PLAN AND ELEVATION OP THE "MERRIMAC," SHOWING ARRANGEMENT OP THE TORPEDOES, ON THB PORT SIDE. Before entering the channel Nos. 7, 9, aud 10 were reported useless. The ones actually exploded were Nos. 1 and 5. The batteries of the others were shattered by the Spanish fire. THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS belt-line was to take up the strain due to resis tance in the water. The form of torpedo selected, after considering all the forms available under the circumstances, was the simple eight-inch charge in its own can or tank, to be fired by its own electric primer. The use of guncotton, placed inside as well as out, was considered and discarded. Various difficulties were encountered in the preparation of the torpedoes, important among which was the arrangement for insuring water-tightness in connection with the admission of the wire cable through the can or tank for the purpose of firing. The charge selected was what is known as the reduced charge, being about seventy-eight pounds of brown prismatic powder, this quantity being large compared with the quan tities used effectively for torpedoes in previous war fare. The eight-inch charge was made up of two parts in serge sacks or bags, as shown on page 20. The tank was as long as the tank for the full charge, and this left the requisite amount of space for ar ranging for water-tightness. The charge for the torpedo was arranged to be fired by the electric primer, carried in a small bag of four pounds of quick black powder, this bag being in the center between the two charges, as indicated in the sketch, the insulated wire cable passing from the primer through the mouth of the small sack, and up along and outside of one of the charges. On top of the 15 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" upper charge were placed two white-pine disks, seven eighths of an inch in thickness, fitting the can more or less tightly, each disk having a hole in DIAGRAM SHOWING THE ATTACHMENT OP THE TORPEDOES TO THE BELT-LINE AND THE HOGGING-LINE. the center for the passage of the wire cable. On top of these disks, and for a depth of about nine inches of the can, was poured hot a gummy sub stance made up of pitch and tallow, which, while warm, would close all openings and make a sub stance entirely water-tight, and which, in harden ing, would still be pliable and spongy and not easily cracked, acting also as additional insulation for the wire cable passing through it. Care was taken to examine whether this pitch composition, poured in hot, would burn the insulation off the wire ; but no difficulty of the sort was met with. The question of making the cans water-tight had been the subject of a conference with the admiral, in which at first he had suggested the use of paraffin ; but not having paraffin on board, the mixture of 16 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS tallow and pitch was decided upon, with the addi tion of gum from rubber gaskets intermingled, if it were found necessary to reduce the brittleness. The top of the tank was left the same as usual, only a hole large enough to admit of the passage of the cable was drilled in the center. At the bottom of the can was a short thickness of mineral wool. The preparation of the torpedoes was begun at once. Gunner Morgan of the New York and the gunner's gang being detailed for its execution. The torpedoes, ten in number, were to be secured on the port side at the points determined upon for producing the maximum sinking effect, being held by the belt-line, extending entirely around the ves sel from forward aft at a depth of about twelve feet below the water, as above mentioned, the torpedoes lying lengthwise along this belt-line. (See plan on page 14.) The wire-cable end or head of the torpedo was pointed aft, in order to reduce the chances of leakage, the eddy created by the torpedo reducing the water-pressure at the hole. In addition, as was mentioned above, each torpedo had a hogging- or girth-line extending completely around the ship, by which the torpedo was kept close in to the side and at the proper depth. Two lashings in addition were placed near the ends of each torpedo, securing it more tightly to the belt-line. Torpedo No. 1 was abreast the collision bulkhead. No. 2 abreast the forward cargo-hatch. No. 3 abreast the large space 17 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" forward of the boiler-room. No. 4 abreast the for ward boiler-room bulkhead. No. 5 abreast the for ward engine-room bulkhead, and so on from forward aft, the positions being chosen, as has already been Moftjit.^.fihe c^':BrU-.likt TRANSVERSE SECTION OP THE "MERRIMAC," SHOWING POSITION OP THE BELT-LINE HOLDING THE TORPEDOES AND OP THE HOGGING-LINE. stated, so as to give the maximum sinking effect. All were placed on the port side, because, in turning with the port helm, it would be the forward side, so to speak, making the inrush of water more rapid than would be the case on the starboard side. At 18 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS the same time, the fact that all the torpedoes were on the same side would cause a list to port, making the water reach more quickly the level of the cargo- ports, and would tend in every way to cause the sinking to be more rapid, while the vessel, being without longitudinal bulkheads, would right herself finally as she went under in deep water. Besides, the crew would abandon the ship from the starboard side. The cables from all the torpedoes were led up to the bridge, and from this position all were to be exploded simultaneously at a given moment. With a view to affording an additional guaranty of sinking, the sea connections were to be prepared for opening, and all apertures forward and aft were to be opened — all doors, hatches, and manholes on • the inside, and the cargo-ports in the sides. The question of firing the torpedoes involved a serious difficulty. Signals were made to the Oregon and the Mayflower, accompanying us, for an electric machine ; but neither of these vessels had such a machine, nor did we have one on board the New York. It was evident that unless we should find that some vessel of Commodore Schley's Plying Squadron had such a machine, it would be neces sary to fire by batteries, which are particularly fragile ; and in such case it was decided to increase the number of cells far beyond the ordinary num ber required to fire the primers. The questions of 2 19 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" wiring and of the amount of cable required careful attention. These details of the program were approved by the admiral. There was one feature, however, which he did not approve. It seemed to me that there was an element of weakness in the firing of the torpe does. The number of torpedoes had been fixed at ten, which at first might seem excessive. I esti mated that if all of them went off the vessel would sink in a minute and a quarter. The number Titch end TSIIottr. 3J//r«>, JJ/SCS % in ¦ 4' ^It hsgof- Blaek\ Pomder. O.ste^tos S :¦/;¦ •:.-jSiaii>ir^('viJa'of 0; :' SECTIONAL DRAWING OP A TORPEDO. was made large because of the innate weakness of the firing arrangements and the probability of injury before the time for firing. I requested the admiral to allow me to take in addition two war heads from the torpedoes on the New York and place them inside the Merrimac, abreast of the two most important bulkheads, leading their connec tions up inside, where they could not be injured by 20 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS the enemy's fire, thus having at hand at all times a positive means of instantly sinking the ship. When these war-heads were asked for the admiral pon dered a moment and then said : " No, I cannot let you have them ; two hundred pounds of guncotton on the inside would blow everything to the devil." Those who know the uniformly temperate language of the admiral will understand the emphasis of this reply. The parts of the program pertaining to naviga tion had been studied in connection with the chart of the harbor and the pilotage publications. The difficulties of navigation were of even greater con sequence than those associated with the sinking of the vessel. Referring to the map, it will be seen that the entrance is very narrow, and that, with the slightest deviation or error, the shoal water on the left, near the course of the channel, would cause a failure to enter. Once entered, however, the con ditions of the long, narrow channel were favorable for obstruction for some distance. It would there fore be necessary to have the vessel pointed fair, with sufficient speed at the entrance to insure com plete control with the helm. The length of the Merrimac was about 333 feet, and the width of the channel in the narrow portions ranged from 350 to 450 feet. It would be necessary, therefore, after swinging the vessel athwart the channel, to catch and hold her in this position. The depth of the 21 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" channel varied from about five fathoms to ten or eleven fathoms ; the vessel would draw about sev enteen feet, and the most advantageous position for swinging was carefully chosen. There being only a short distance in which to overcome the speed of the vessel, special elastic arrangements would be necessary to enable the anchor-gear to check and absorb the speed, so as to catch and hold the vessel in the athwart position. To realize this elasticity, and at the same time to enable the anchor and chain to work automatically, the chain would be roused up out of the lockers and ranged along the deck. After running out a certain length the chain would begin to break elastic-rope stops, one end of the stop being made fast to the chain, the other to a long rope hawser of larger size, so that each stop before breaking would bring into play the elasticity of the large hawser, which itself would be finally broken. The manoeuver decided upon and approved by the admiral was to approach at full speed, stopping a short distance from the entrance, so that the speed on arriving at the point for the final manceu ver would be about from four and a half to five knots. (See plan, page 23.) At this point, position A, the helm would be put hard aport. As soon as the ship began to swing, the starboard bow-anchor would be let go with ^ixty fathoms of chain ; when about in position B, the starboard stern-anchor 22 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS would be let drop with forty fathoms of chain, the two permitting the ship to take position C, where she would be lying on a span directly athwart. Any additional motion still remaining would be absorbed by the vessel sticking her nose into the '^^Of enfOMT Drawn by E. S. Gielow, under the Bupervision of Mr. Hobson. PLAN OP THE MANCEUVER AS PROJECTLD. A, Position for puttinp? helm aport and dropping bow-anchor ; B, Position for dropping stern-anchor; C, Position athwart, rid'jig to span. shoal on the right side of the channel. If the stern anchor-chain were carried away the movement would cause the vessel to throw .her port quarter 23 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" into the shoal on the port side, the bank being only one and a quarter fathoms deep. The general plan contemplated a minimum crew of volunteers for its execution, with the simplest form of duty for each member to perform. The anchors were to be slung over the sides and held by simple lashings, ready to be cut with an ax, a man being stationed at each anchor. Only two men were to be kept below, one in the engine-room and one in the boiler-room. One man was to be at the wheel and one was to assist with the torpedoes, making in all a crew of six men. The signaling was to be by cord pulls. The men were to lie on their faces at their separate stations, with the end of a cord wrapped around the wrist, awaiting the pull from the bridge, where all the cords were to converge. A simple pull would mean to " stand by " ; then three steady, deliberate puUs in succession would be the signal for action. The plan contemplated having a life-boat in tow at the stern, with a long painter, or line, leading forward. After the performance of duty the first man was to pull in the long painter, haul the boat up toward the ship's side, jump overboard, get into the boat, turn it around to head out, and hold it just off the ship as it swung ; then each man, after completing his duty, was to jump overboard 'and get into the boat. The torpedoes were to be fired at the moment 24 MORRO CASTLE, SANTIAGO. The cave in the center was the rendezvous lor the crew in case of escape after the sinking. THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS when all was secure and the ship had reached her position athwart the channel. They were to be fired from the bridge. After firing them, I was to jump overboard and join the boat, which would then be ready to pull away, all the crew having had time to reach it. The boat was to be fitted with life-preservers under the bulwarks and thwarts to prevent sinking if it should be riddled. It was to carry seven rifles, and seven belts with one hundred and fiJty car tridges in each. The uniform was to consist of woolen underwear and two pairs of socks ; each man was to wear a life-preserver and a revolver-belt with a revolver and a box of cartridges, the cartridges being im mersed in tallow. If I should not appear after the explosion, the boat was to pull away in charge of the senior petty officer present. If the boat were interfered with, it should defend itself while endeavoring to escape. If it were destroyed, we were to swim for a ren dezvous on the bank under the Morro, just inside the cove, from which an effort would be made, by creeping along the bank and swimming at the steep parts, to make our way around and well to the eastward of the entrance before putting to sea to try to reach the squadron. In all cases the party would endeavor to keep together and act as a unit. The question of volunteers being referred to, the 27 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" admiral expressed the belief that there would be no difficulty in getting the men wanted. By Tuesday afternoon all the preparations that could be made beforehand were well under way. The three vessels were speeding onward along the north shore of Cuba. It is a flne coast, with moun tains rising straight from the sea. No wind was stirring, and the clouds hung motionless on the mountain- sides. The sky was preparing a weird sunset, remarkable even for the tropics, and the water reflected the weirdness. The spirit of mystery over land and sea and air and sky extended to the sounds. Even the regular bugle-call to quarters and evening prayers appeared different. All nature seemed to be preparing trag edy. The enemy was near. The time for action in our sacred cause was close at hand. I lingered on deck. The moon rose bright and clear, approach ing its full. On the ships sped. Cape Maysi light appeared in the distance and drew aft till, it lay abeam. We changed our course to the southward, and standing down the Windward Passage, passed close to the land, and caught whiffs of the tropical vegetation. The moon was near its meridian as the vessels rounded the southeastern end of Cuba. To-morrow we should see the sun rise on Santiago. The next day (June 1), as we went on deck, very early, we made out the Flying Squadron in the distance. As the New York stood down toward 28 ADMIEAL SAMPSON, COMMODORE SCHLEY, AND MR. HOBSON INSPECTING THE SANTIAGO ENTRANCE FEOM THE DECK OP THE "NEW YOEK." THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS the Brdoklyn, there, off the starboard bow, stood the Morro, frowning down on the narrow entrance ; back in the distance rose the mountains beyond the city. From aloft we could see the military tops of the Viscaya and the Cristobal Colon, behind the cliffs of Smith Cay and Punta Gorda Neck. As the New York passed the bearing in line with the inner channel, a shot came out at long range. It fell short, of course, but it spoke challenge and defiance. We passed the Merrimac, lying to the eastward, locked with the Massachusetts coaling alongside, and stopped near the Brooklyn. Commodore Schley and hisfiag-lieutenant, J. H. Sears, came off, and were met by Admiral Sampson and his chief of staff, Cap tain Chad wick, and Flag-Lieutenant Staunton, and all went below to the admiral's cabin. Soon the ad miral and the commodore came on deck, and the admiral called me aft. The commodore pointed out the location of batteries as he had discovered them in the bombardment of the previous day. The sea batteries to the eastward and westward of the entrance could be made out, though dimly.^ but the batteries described by the commodore as lying on the slope of Socapa, the west bank of the channel, could not be located. The galleries and gun-ports of Morro could be seen, but Estrella Point and the heights of Churruca and Punta Gorda necks were obscured. I asked for a steam-launch to go in closer to reconnoiter, but my request was 31 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" declined. After the commodore left, the New York stood farther to the westward to get on the bearing, Estrella Point, north, 34° E., the course for enter ing. The admiral, the chief of staff, the navigator, and I then went up on the forward bridge. There was a division of opinion as to what was really Estrella Point. It was then decided to let me take the steam-launch and go in to reconnoiter, and the launch was hoisted out and the fires were lighted. The quartermaster having reported the masts and funnel of a small craft behind a neck of land to the westward, the New York dropped the launch and stood down to investigate the craft, which proved to be one of our auxiliaries. When steam was up on the launch we headed in, though we were delayed by the feed-pump getting out of order. We soon were able to make out dis tinctly the batteries to the eastward of Morro, and those to the westward of the entrance. They were not completed, and work seemed to be going on. All question about Estrella Point disappeared, and I found two good ranges on the mountains behind to help in running in, and mentally photographed the view, noting specially the high points that would aid in recognizing the entrance at night. We avoided some objects awash that looked as though they might be range-buoys, but stood for the most part straight up the course for entering. This course leads nearer the western shore, and 32 MR. HOBSON RECONNOITEEING THE HARBOR ENTRANCE. THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS one of the crew reported seeing men in the bushes, and then a rifle-buUet passed overhead. The launch was slowed down, and directions were given to have a full head of steam, with plenty of water in the boiler, in order to be independent of the laboring feed-pump, and the cockswain was ordered to stand by to go about. One of the crew now reported a signal flying from the New York, which had come back; it was the general recall. I had desired to find out something about the batteries on the slopes of Socapa, and to get some sure mark on the western side as a guide in entering at night. It soon became evident, how ever, that the batteries on the slopes could not be seen without actually entering, while the bushes came down to the water's edge on the west, and no m ark for guidance could be found. Only the Morro side would be distinct, and the course to pass would have to be regulated by estimating the distance from the Morro. Fortunately, on this side the water was deep, and would permit of passage close aboard. The launch turned and stood out slowly, and when well away went full speed for the New York. It was now nearly noon. The Merrimac had drifted farther to the eastward. Signal had been sent to all the vessels calling for an electric machine for flring torpedoes, and the torpedoes were well in hand ; but half the day was gone, and no preparations had been made on the Merrimac. 35 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" The New York stood back at speed, and shortly after noon stopped near by. Boatswain Mullen and I went off in a puUing-boat, and crossed over the Massachusetts to the Merrimac, where coaling was going on at all the hatches. The officers of the Merrimac were at luncheon, the captain and other officers forming a single mess. Everybody was completely surprised when I announced the pur pose of the admiral to have the Merrimac sunk in the channel that night, and I was pelted with questions. Coaling was to continue; the Merrimac's crew were already more or less fatigued, and as they would have their hands full in getting their effects away, could give but little, if any, assistance. I made a rapid inspection : the bow-anchor weighed fourteen thousand pounds; the hold contained about twenty-three hundred tons of coal, which lay heaped up against some of the bulkheads where the torpedoes would be placed. A signal was sent to the New York to send over one watch, or half her deck force, and forty coal-heavers, the deck force to be employed in preparing the anchors, chains, belt- and hogging-lines, the coal-heavers to shovel the coal away from the sides at the points of loca tion of the torpedoes, to prevent interference with their action in blowing in the sides as well as the clogging of the ruptures. While waiting for the men from the New York, 36 ASSISTANT-ENGINEEE EGBERT K. CEANK. THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS the boatswain and I went below and located the bulkheads, taking tape-measure distances to fix their positions accurately on the outside. Assis tant Engineer R.K. Crank went with me through the boiler- and engine-rooms, and agreed to the use of part of his own force to do the work of preparing the sea connections for flooding and of opening up the cargo-ports and all openings throughout. When all the work was done, we were to go through for final inspection. The preparation of anchors and chains, belt- and hogging-lines, was explained in full to the boat swain. The starboard chain was to be roused up and ranged along the forecastle ; the starboard an chor to be got over the bow ; the port anchor to be unshackled and transported aft to the starboard quarter, the port chain being similarly transported ; the bow-anchor to have sixty fathoms clear, and the stern-anchor about forty fathoms, the last fif teen fathoms to have the stops for breaking. We went into the forehold to look for gear, and found plenty in the Merrimac^ s supply. We selected eight-inch new Manila for the long lengths of elas tic hawser, and five-inch new Manila for the stops ; a large eoU of new four-and-a-half-inch Manila would answer admirably for the belt-line, and eigh- teen-thread stuff for the hogging-lines. As we ex pected the stripping of the ship to begin soon, we set this gear aside to prevent its falling into the 39 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" hands of some boatswain's mate or other provident pillager. When I returned to the New York to see about the personnel of the crew and the status of the tor pedoes, the starboard watch from the New York had come over under Naval Cadet Boone, and forty coal-heavers were on their way from the Brooklyn. Captain J. M. Miller of the Merrimac had given direc tions to his officers and crew to prepare to leave the ship, and was himself leaving to see the admiral. In reply to the signal for an electric machine, a negative answer had come from all ships. There was not one in the squadron. It seemed a coinci dence that the vessels that were known to have them were all north of Cuba. Batteries of cells would have to be depended on. The New York had only a few spare firing-cells. The fleet was called upon. I requested Lieutenant Roller to take the matter in hand, get together the cells, allowing three or four times the number usually required for the eight-inch primers, arrange the cells for maxi mum efficiency, test aU the cable for insulation, and actually fire trial primers under the conditions of use. While I was on the Merrimac, Assistant Engineer Crank had expressed a wish to go in with the ship, and had recommended a machinist, Phillips, and a water-tender, Kelly, who had shown themselves competent and reliable, and who wished to go. 40 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS Captain Miller, who expected to go in, had spoken in high terms of his quartermaster and cockswain, young Deignan. There was advantage in having men for the wheel, the engines, and the boilers from the Merrimac's crew, on account of their familiarity with the vessel ; so I called the three men up, looked at them well, explained the nature of the mission, and asked if they wished to go. All replied affirm atively, so I decided to take them. The call for volunteers had been made by signal, and names were pouring in by the hundred. It may be said broadly that the bulk of the fleet was anx ious to go. The admiral had thought that perhaps it might be well to have a junior officer, and had asked for volunteers from the junior officers of the New York. The junior officers' mess responded en masse. Powell, one of my pupils at the Naval Academy, was on deck when I came on board, and begged me to take him. Eggert, another of my pupils, saw me, and pleaded to go. Men of the New York's crew pressed upon me and used aU kinds of arguments to persuade me to take them. It was as though a great favor were being asked and every means were taken to have it granted. Captain Miller had now returned to the Merrimac. When I was about to leave, the admiral sent for me and said that Captain Miller claimed it as his right as commanding officer of the vessel to go in with the Merrimac, and that he did not see how his 43 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" claim could be disregarded. My answer was in effect that I should be happy to serve in any capa city, but that it must be evident to all that Captain MiUer could not be anything but a passenger, even if nominally in command, being entirely unfamiliar with the detaUs of the plans, whUe it was, of course, too late in the day to become properly acquainted with them ; that I had carefully reduced the crew to a minimum, and had made the duties the very simplest, and felt it would be unjustifiable, even wrong, to allow a single man in excess of the re quirements, and for this reason had refused the junior officers and aU others; that, besides other considerations, we should all certainly be over board ; that my men should be young, athletic, and used to exposure ; that probably no one of the age of a commander would be equal to the physical strain ; that if there should be a chance to escape we should certainly not abandon the captain, and his presence would probably entail the loss of all ; that when the situation was clear to the captain he surely would not insist, on going, however great his desire, as he could not really consider that it was right or was his duty to go. The admiral concluded that he would not allow the captain to go. It was understood with the executive officer of the New York, who was in charge of the list of vol unteers, that word would be sent as to the men to be selected. 44 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS I then left the New York, with the understanding that notice would be sent when all was ready on the Merrimac, whereupon the admiral would go on board to inspect. Matters on the New York detained me, and the afternoon had worn well along when I reached the Merrimac. The conditions on board can hardly be conceived. Orders had been given to strip the ship, and only a few hours remained in which to do it. Squads from various vessels were everywhere re moving articles. The crew of the Merrimac were looking to their own effects. The gangways were piled with boxes, cans, and debris of all kinds, and a barrel of beer had got adrift. To my horror, the port bower-chain had not been unshackled; the bdatswain and his gang were at work on it, and stiU it resisted ;the starboard anchor and chain were as yet untouched. The coal-heavers, misunder standing the instructions given, had been shoveling coal from port to starboard. Men in the stripping squads were everywhere in the way. It was im possible to tell who belonged to the working squads and who did not. Utter confusion existed, and under the circumstances would admit of but slight remedy. Even the gear laid aside for belt- and hogging-lines, stops, and hawsers, had been pil laged. It was evidently to be a desperate fight against time. The idea of getting the fourteen-thousand-pound 3 45 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" anchor aft had to be abandoned, but there was a heavy stream-anchor already aft and another for ward. We slung the one forward from the cargo- boom to the deck of the Massachusetts, which dropped aft ; then wetook it up with a cargo-boom aft, and proceeded to lash the two stream-anchors together, crown to ring, or tandem-fashion, which would give the two combined as great holding- power as the heavier bower-anchor. When we started rousing up the starboard chain, the anchor-windlass worked badly. Soon the port anchor-chain was unshackled, and it was appa rent that the heaviest work would come in get ting the chain aft; for the fifteen-fathom lengths could not be unshackled, as the shackle-pins could not be driven out ; so the heavy chain, the very largest size manufactured, would have to be trans ported aft in one piece the whole length of the ship. To save time, we started rousing this chain up without stopping the rousing up of the starboard chain. The windlass utterly rebelled. About thirty fathoms of the latter chain were already up, and it started back by the run into the locker. It was fairly heartrending to see the chain go charging back, undoing the results of such hard work. More than half had run back before it could be checked. The port chain would have to wait till the starboard chain was completely up. The sun was setting be- 46 HAULING THE ANCHOE-CHAIN TO THE STEEN. THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS fore the heavier work could be begun, when finally the chain started up, and after getting aft as far as the deck-house, would not budge farther. I ap pealed to all the men from all the gangs. They took hold, some with their hands, some with the chain- hooks, some with ropes' ends. The chain started up, but soon stopped again. No effort could make it move a second time. Darkness was setting in. The search for lanterns showed that the strippers had preceded us in the lamp-room ; only two or three lanterns could be found, and those were in bad con dition. The men were nearly exhausted, having been working without relief and without supper. We turned steam on the after- winches, determined to make them haul the chain aft, but no tackles could be found ; all had been taken off. We used part of the coU for the belt-line, and after breaking it several times flnally started the chain, and this measure gave promise of getting the required amount aft in course of time. Hogging-lines had been started by means of a weight put over the bow in a span of the line, carrying it below the keel, a man on each side walk ing aft outside till the desired point was reached. As bad fortune would have it, the lines already put over became entangled, and nearly all had to be hauled in, and the work done over. More over, the strippers having pillaged the gear laid aside, as mentioned above, the stuff for hogging- 49 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" lines was found to be missing. In fact, the hawsers were just being started over the side, and the coil for the belt-line was on deck, when we caught and saved them. So material for the hogging-lines had to be improvised by unreeving tackles from the cargo-booms and by searching among the debris. The Massachusetts, after transporting the stream- anchor aft, had shoved off, and with her departure the stripping abated. Now only a squad from the Texas and the force from the Brooklyn re mained, besides the men from the New York. The New York hailed, and said she would send off the port watch to relieve the starboard watch. We had been drifting steadily to the eastward; the Texas and the Brooklyn were not in sight. The coal-heavers could do no more work in the dark ness below, so the two squads were sent to the New York with the New York's starboard watch when the port watch came off. The steam-launch had brought off the gunner, with the torpedoes, batteries, and wire, and some dynamo-men were sent for to help in running the wires. It was dark, for the moon was obscured, and we had little lantern-light ; but the men just arrived were fresh, and the inter fering groups were gone, so we could work with more organization. Cadet Boone took a squad and started the belt- line, and when the belt-line was around at the height of the rail, where the torpedoes were to be 50 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS attached, he continued with the same men to get the hogging-lines in place. Assistant Engineer Crank had been at work with his men below, and now reported the cargo-ports opened and the sea connections prepared, all ready for inspection. I went below with him and found things in excellent shape; the nuts were off the bonnet of the main injection, a strut held the bon net in place, and it required only a blow to knock the strut out and release the bonnet, which was under a head of about fifteen feet of water-pressure. The smaller connections and also the condenser discharge, which went overboard below the water- line, would be readily cut in two by the blow of an ax. All openings, hatches, manhole covers, etc., were opened. At Mr. Crank's suggestion we had already admitted about seven hundred tons of water to the double bottom. Lieutenant Gilmer of the Merrimac, who had beeh lending a hand during the day, took charge of the stern-anchors. As soon as these should be lashed together and slung over the side, and the chain bent on and ranged clear, the boatswain was to take most of the men to get the bower-anchor over and put on the stops and hawsers. The gunner and his own men and the dynamo-men were leading the wires to the positions on the rail, ready to connect with the short lengths coming out of the torpedoes. Last of all, the tor pedoes were to be attached and secured to belt- 51 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" line and hogging-lines at the height of the rail, where it was intended they should remain for inspection by the admiral. I had hoped to report the vessel ready by mid night (June 1-2), but this hope had been abandoned. Toward ten or eleven o'clock the different tasks were advancing concurrently, and there seemed to be a fighting chance of being ready before moon- set, when the gunner reported an insufficient quan tity of wire ; a mistake had been made in the quan tity supposed to be at hand. The New York had remained near us, and I haded for her steam-launch and went on board, but no wire was to be found. The vessels of the squadron were out of sight, but a Norwegian steamer, fitted out for cable service, lay in the distance, and I ran down to her in the launch. She did not have what we wanted, but had any quantity of an insulated wire that would answer. We took a coil, and came back by the New York for items of which a memorandum had been left, such as life-preservers, boat equipment, signal- cord, new axes for cutting the anchor-lashings, seiz ing-stuff for securing the torpedoes, an ensign, etc. With regard to the ensign, I had asked Captain Miller about the flag of the Merrimac. He said that he had already considered the matter, but had found that the strippers had taken off the ensign and the contents of the signal-chest, and even the signal-halyards. In fact, the men had been so 52 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS keen for relics and souvenirs that nothing seemed to have escaped. He said that he had, however, an enormous flag, blue field, or background, with " Maine " across it in large letters, which he pro posed to have bent on. But I was particularly anxious for a large national flag, and put it down on the list of items for the executive officer to get us on the New York. I was a little afraid they would not let us have the flag, so I asked the executive officer not to say anything about it to Captain Chad- wick until we were gone, and told him that I should not hoist it while running in or while doing so could in any way affect the success of the effort, but that I did wish very much to hoist it after firing the torpedoes, as the vessel sank. The executive offi cer was not convinced, and his instinct of the risk involved was true ; for though the captain let me have the flag without asking any questions, and it was bent on the halyards at the bridge ready for hoisting, it was never hoisted, for after the work was done, and the Merrimac was sinking, and a strong impulse set in to have the flag flying, it was clear, lying at the muzzles of the enemy's guns, that any movement to hoist it would betray our position and cost the lives of us aU. My responsibility for the group forbade me to make the attempt. Before leaving the New York the captain said that we had drifted twelve or fifteen miles to the east ward. It was then nearly twelve o'clock, and it 53 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" was necessary to start to the westward without delay. The admiral had ordered the Mayflower and one of the other vessels to place themselves on a range with the course into the harbor, to serve for a starting-point. The admiral was to come off to inspect with the boats that came to take off the men to the New York. Montague, the only member of the volunteer crew not already on board, came off with me. While on the Merrimac, Mullen, the boatswain, had asked to go. As the letting go of the bow- anchor would be especially perilous, with the run ning out of the chain and the breaking of stops and hawsers, and no one would appreciate the danger better than the boatswain, he was accepted. About the same time, Charette came to me and said that he had put down his name with the volun teers before leaving the New York, and he hoped I would take him, for he had served with me when I was a midshipman on the Chicago. I remembered his service well, and good service it was. He had been in the dynamo-room, and was afterward gun ner's mate, and was the very man to help with the torpedoes and be at hand for anything that might arise. This left only one more man to choose— the man to cut the lashing of the stern-anchor. There would be advantage in having a man who could best handle the men in case Mullen and I did not appear. After consultation with the executive offi- 54 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS cer of the New York, Montague, the chief master- at-arms of that vessel, was selected, and the crew was complete. It was about midnight when the launch reached the Merrimac. After discharging, it was sent back to the New York, and preparations were made for getting under way. It had been arranged that we should have a trial spin before going in. Mr. Crank would remain in charge of the engines till the last moment, having a good head of steam and every thing in shape. The run to the westward would answer for the trial, and directions were given for a full-speed run, at the highest safe and sure speed. We were under way by half -past twelve, and stood to the westward, making fifty-two revolutions, ap proaching nine knots. The New York stood on also, but was soon left behind. She had the steam- launch in tow, and apparently could not tow it faster without losing it. The last few hours had seen large progress all along the line. The stern-anchor was over the side, and the chain was being bent on and ranged clear. It was so situated that in coming under strain it would tear the bulwarks out, tear up the hatch-coaming, and bring up against the mainmast. With the length of chain extending to the chain- lockers at the bow, large elasticity would be ob tained. The bower-anchor was over the bow, slung and lashed; breaking-stops were being put on, 55 THE SINKING OP THE "MERRIMAC" eight stops between forty and sixty fathoms; and the hawser was in place. It was not prac ticable to take the hawser over the deck-house, as it was only about seventy-five feet long ; so another of the same length was added, both to be broken at sixty fathoms, before the rigidity of the anchor- fastenings should " bring up " ; one of the hawsers carried the stops, which were far enough apart to allow the hawser to spring back and recover its elasticity after each strain. The belt-line was around and at the height of the rail ; the hogging- lines were in place. The gunner having reported that at the final test on the New York the battery could fire only six primers, the six most important positions were selected, and the torpedoes were secured in place while the wiring went on. A mist had come over the moon. The coast-line was obscure. A heavy black cloud appeared in the southeast, and the horizon was thickening to the south and southwest, and began to threaten the last hours of the moon. Soon the New York was out of sight ; apparently she was making only five or six knots. Captain Miller was sitting on the bridge; Deignan was at the wheel ; the ship replied well to the helm, and the gallant captain told about her steer ing and manoeuvering qualities and other virtues, stiU expecting to go in with his ship. He had let me take complete charge, and I had not thought it necessary to tell him of the admiral's final decision. 56 THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS The light became so dim that the headlands could scarcely be made out with the night-glasses. About two o'clock a craft was sighted ahead, then another, on a southwesterly line of bearing with the first. We concluded that they must be the range-vessels; so the helm was put up, and we stood out, to turn upon their line of bearing from seaward, keeping on the range, in readiness for the start after the New York should arrive. One of the craft began to show up an intermittent light ; was it a private signal ? I had not been notified of any signal to be expected from a range- vessel, and gave no reply, but kept pointed in toward the craft. It seemed as though the New York had lost us. It must have been nearly three o'clock before her boats came alongside and Admiral Sampson came on board. It had been decided, with the short time remaining, not to wait for his inspection of the torpedoes, and the hogging-lines had been hauled down; the last ones aft were being hauled down when he came on board and inspected. He said he thought we were well out, probably five or six miles, so I asked that the torpedo-boat should go and find out what the unknown craft were. When it re turned it reported that they were vessels belonging to the press. The one that had showed the light was perhaps simply a little timid, with an idea of being run down. The admiral carefully inspected the anchor and 57 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" chain aft and on the forecastle. Everything was in readiness for letting go— blocks under the lash ings, with axes at hand. The wiring was complete, and responded to the test, the firing-ends being on the starboard side of the bridge, ready to make contact. Montague and Charette had led off the signal-cords, and, with the boatswain, had got the life-boat out and put in the arms and equipment. The boatswain considered that the boat in question would tow better alongside than astern, a long line being got out from forward, another from abreast the boat. When the after hogging-lines had been hauled home, the New York's men were ordered into the boats. Before leaving. Cadet Boone asked earnestly to be allowed to remain, but he had to be refused like the others. The admiral went on the bridge to wait till the men were off, and was the last to leave. On coming on board, the admiral had gone up on the bridge, and as he spoke to Captain Miller, I heard an exclamation of disappointment from the latter. Though bitterly chagrined, the generous captain came up to say a kind word and wish us success. Assistant Engineer Crank, who was still in the engine-room, was to remain on board till the last stretch, when he was to be taken off by the torpedo-boat that would accompany us to that point. The moon had now gone behind a bank rising up from the horizon; it must have been beyond its 58 THE GOOD-BY TO ADMIRAL SAMPSON. THE SCHEME AND THE PREPARATIONS setting-time before the admiral left. When I had referred to the lack of light and the obscurity of the coast-line, the admiral gave reassurance as to the conditions when we should be closer, based on the principle that the intensity of light varies inversely as the square of the distance. But the absolute necessity of adequate light had been grow- ' ing on me. The admiral said good-by with a simple word of kindness. With us who knew him, such a word from Admiral Sampson would outweigh a volume. When the launch shoved off with the admiral, its propeller fouled one of our lines, and it was probably half an hour in clearing. It must, in deed, have been after four o'clock when we finally started. Dawn had not tinged the east, but it was certainly near at hand. We started up slowly, then at full speed. The life-boat charged out from the side, ready to capsize. We slowed down and shortened the breast-line. As we started ahead again, it charged back and forth as before. It was evident that the boat could not be towed at full speed. Time was pressing, and it had been ques tionable from the first if there would be a chance to use the boat. We must approach at fuU speed for success. So I decided not to slow down again. The boat plunged back and forth, then with a wide sheer capsized and broke adrift, floating away bottom up. 61 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" We were now clear. The men, stripped to under clothes, put on revolvers and belts and life-preser vers, took their stations, and tied the signal-cords to their wrists. Soon the vessels of the squadron showed up, rather to the eastward ; then we caught the outline of the Morro itself. There was only a short distance to stand to the westward to make the course for entering, north, 34° E. A rose tinge appeared in the east; day was breaking. We should find ample light to enter by. Suddenly a hail came from close aboard on the port side ; the torpedo-boat, the Porter, came tear ing up, and Lieutenant Fremont, her commander, announced that the admiral directed the Merrimac to return. It would not do to disobey ; but would not the admiral reconsider ? I knew that light was necessary in any case, and felt that we could make the entrance. My reply was a request to the lieu tenant to return to the flagship and ask the admiral to let us go on, as I felt sure that we could get in. The Merrimac did not slacken. It was arranged that, in case the admiral should consent, the tor pedo-boat should have four red lights turned on the New York's signal-hoist. I told Charette to keep a lookout for the red lights, and we stood on. The torpedo-boat reached the flagship and started back at full speed. But no red lights appeared. The admiral was inexorable. We should have to wait another day. 62 PAET II THE RUN IN Disappointment at the recall— A day of waiting— The plan of going in at sunset— Two elements of weakness— MuUen's pluck —Kindness of ofllcers— Good-by to the flagship— The look of things— Rehearsing the work— Clausen not a stowaway— Pre cautions for rescue— The last meal on the Merrimac and final preparations— Making for the entrance— The firing begins — Loss of the steering-gear— Trouble with the torpedoes— A crisis off Estrella Point— Kelly's narrow escape — Beginning to sink — Conversation on deck — A focus of flre— The final plunge— In the vortex— Clinging to the catamaran— Admiral Cervera to the rescue. WHEN the torpedo-boat Porter overtook the Merrimac and delivered the admiral's impera tive order to return, one could see a cloud of gloom and disappointment pass over the men. No one spoke a word. Every man lingered near his post for some time, not wishing to make the effort necessary to get into a position of comfort. I knew how the men felt. A fearful reaction had set in. I re member catching hold of a stanchion on the bridge and leaning my head back against it as the ship swung around. Mullen soon came aft, looking like 63 THE SINKING OP THE "MERRIMAC" a specter, haggard beyond description. Charette was sent down to teU the engine force that the run was off. Mr. Crank appeared at the hatch, stripped to a breech-cloth ; he was expecting to go in with the ship, and the reaction had seized him also. The situation must have appealed to the men on the torpedo-boat, for before she left us Lieutenant Fremont hailed with some kind words of sympathy. I told Mullen to have all the men lie down, and sug gested that he do the same. He objected for his own part, and insisted that he be allowed to relieve me, and that I lie down myself. It was necessary to give him a positive order. The reaction took a different form with the boy Deignan. Nature's fatigue set in. Seeing a tired look come over him, I took the wheel and ordered him to sit down, and soon he fell asleep as he sat. I made him lie down on the bridge, and he went off into a deep, motion less sleep, utterly unaffected by the hailing and the other noises that set in later. We stood over to the New York, steered up paral lel within hail, and stopped. The executive officer hailed, and said a reli^i^f ys;; would soon be over, but asked if we could •'j. "^^' '^^^ o^^he vessel till the relief crew could gf udke c^i^ast.^ We replied that we would take p.. tit brsfher as long as might be desired. The bcare o^ having carried us forward soffi^l ^li^cp eadwa' the helm astarboard to steer ac|e m^ij.a-.'j, we pull ck, when suddenly the New Randolph Clausen. Osborn Warren Deignan, George Charette. Daniel Montagua Francis Kelly. THE UBMBEKS OF MR. HOBSON'S CREW. J. E. Murphy. George F. Phillipa. THE RUN IN York started up, her propeUer-race began to seethe, and she shot by us at full speed. We looked ahead, and on the horizon to the southwest discovered a craft standing toward the harbor. Soon the smoke began to pour out of the New York's funnels. The craft stopped, turned about, and took to her heels, and a chase was on. The quarry was fleet and had ten or twelve miles' start. She drew hull down and then disappeared. The New York stood straight on and gradually disappeared, and for a long time the two columns of smoke told of hot pursuit. The Porter stood out at full speed to join in, and we saw her cut over the horizon. There woidd be hours of chase and hours for return. A scorching sun rose high in a cloudless sky ; not a breath of air stirred; a blinding glare came out of a glassy sea, and a day of waiting lay before us. Mullen soon came up again to say that the men could not sleep, and to insist on relieving me. I saw that the poor fellow was long past the stage for sleep, but it again required a positive order to make him go down. My instructions were that all the men should lie still in the shade, close their eyes, and think of nothing, whether they could sleep or not. Before long Charette, indefatigable and always thoughtful, came up with a piece of canvas, a boat cover, and rigged it as an awning over part of the bridge. It was actuaUy exhilarating to watch him do this in his bright, cheery way. When the awn- * 67 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" ing was snug he went below, soon reappearing with a bucket of water, apologizing because he had not been able to find a glass, and denouncing the strippers for the thorough work they had done in the pantry. This was not the first time he had had a fling at them, for coffee had been in fearful demand all night, and he had searched high and low again and again without finding a grain. The only articles that escaped were some cold meat and bread left by the officers from luncheon. We had finished these for supper, and Charette took it very much to heart that he could find nothing for us during the night. Mr. Crank reported that on one of the boilers a gage-glass had given trouble, so he, Phillips, and Kelly stayed below, working on the repairs in the hot fire-room. We remained thus till late in the afternoon. The fleet lay off several miles to the eastward and north ward. About ten or eleven o'clock the Marblehead and the Harvard stood over, and a boat came off from the Marblehead to get the effects of Captain Miller to put them on the Harvard. Evidently he was to go North. His effects had been put on the Massachusetts before she left us the day before. The boat officer, Ensign Gherardi, must have seen some evidence of destitution, for he inquired if we had had breakfast, and insisted on going over to the Marblehead to get us something. We told him that what we wanted was coffee, black and scalding. 68 THE RUN IN He brought off a steaming bucketful, with plenty of hardtack— a superb combination. It is incon ceivable how revivifying it was. We had been caUing aloud for hot coffee, even those of us who were not accustomed to its use. The hours passed without further incident. A press-boat passed by and asked to come aboard. The Marblehead asked for the camels, or floats, that the Merrimac had on board for use in coaling along side at sea. We told her she could have them if she would send her own men to get them out. Be fore young Gherardi left, he suggested that a junior officer might be of service and asked to be allowed to go in with us, necessitating again the duty of refusal. Along toward one or two o'clock the Porter stood back. Evidently the chase had been brought to a finish, or the New York had demonstrated her ability to attend to the case unaided. We signaled the torpedo-boat by wigwag to come within hail. The absolute necessity for good conditions of light and the lesser consequence of any difference in the chance of escape had become fuUy impressed upon me, and taking account of the condition of the men, it appeared that it would be best to go in about sunset. When the Porter arrived within hail I asked her to go out to the New York, inform the admiral of this conclusion, and request permission to execute it. She said the New York would be 69 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" along in an hour or two, and little if any time could be saved by her going back ; so she stood on down toward the fieet, after being requested to apply to the vessels for additional electric firing-batteries, so we could put over the four torpedoes left off the belt. The Marblehead had already been applied to, but had no cells to spare. We had been drifting farther out, and the Brooklyn signaled to come closer. We were only waiting for the MarUehead's men to get the floats clear, and these were giving trouble. The New York appeared above the horizon and stood down toward the fleet. Finally we were clear. The Marblehead, upon application, had sent over a machinist and a fireman, PhiUips and Kelly being stiU engaged in the repair-work. We stood down through the fleet and rounded to, ranging parallel to the New York. When within hail, I re quested permission from the admiral to go in at sunset. The answer from Flag-Lieutenant Staun ton was : " The admiral's reply to your request is a direction for you to come on board." The New York sent off a boat, and I went on board, leaving Mullen in charge. The admiral and his chief of staff, Captain Chad- wick, listened to the plan for going in at sunset, and seemed to regard it, as well as the idea of going in after daybreak, as involving too much risk and exposure, cutting off all chance of escape. The admiral having refused my request, I suggested a 70 THE RUN IN modification that might reduce the enemy's fire, by having the cooperation of the fleet. The plan was that the fleet, including the Merrimac, should form in column and circle by, passing down as far as the bearing forming the course for entering, each time crossing this bearing a little nearer the entrance, fire not to be opened unless first begun by the enemy. On the second or third turn, upon arriving on the course, the Merrimac should break from the circle and dash forward for the entrance ; the whole fleet should open on the batteries, which would doubtless answer upon the fleet; and thus before the enemy coidd recover from the first shock and from the idea that the manoeuver meant bombard ment, the Merrimac could enter and do her work. After consideration the admiral decided against this plan also, holding that the manoeuver would cause the enemy to man all their guns and be in full preparation, and that they could divert their fire from the fleet to the Merrimac. Both he and Captain Chadwick still regarded it wisest to make the effort before daybreak. I represented again that a certain amount of light was absolutely necessary for success, that the men were under heavy tension, and that we ought not again to be recaUed. It was finaUy de cided that we should wait tiU the last hours of the moon ; but it was agreed and understood that if I found the moonlight too dim I should be aUowed to go in after daybreak, without fear of recaU. 71 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" Since the last conference with the admiral, my instinct had set more and more strongly toward the two elements of weakness, the danger of the steer ing-gear being shot away before the time for put ting the helm over, and the fragility of the electric batteries. The thought of the steering-gear being shot away had been haunting me all day. Inves tigation showed that it was impossible to arrange for steering in any other way, and I caUed the admiral's attention to this peril as the only one that could prevent the success of the manceuver; for it was absolutely necessary that the vessel should be pointed fair so as to enter the channel without the use of helm, and for this good light was essential. The admiral said that he had already thought over the matter and fully appreciated the situation, but that the chances were against the steering-gear being shot away so soon. In view of the fragility of the firing-cells, the gunner was sent over with additional cells, with directions to put on the four torpedoes left off the belt the night before. My conviction of the inherent weakness of this part of the plan was so strong that, as a last request, I asked the admiral a second time to allow me to take the war-heads, promising that I would not use them unless the belt-torpedoes proved inadequate and they were necessary to success. The admiral again refused, using the same words as before: "They would blow everything to the devU." 72 THE RUN IN Besides the gunner and his gang a deck force was sent over to prepare another life-boat. This time I decided not to attempt to tow it, but to carry it slung from a cargo-boom over the starboard quarter below the rail. The idea was that, instead of jumping overboard, the men, after finishing their duties, would " lay aft " and rendezvous abreast the life-boat, waiting until directed to get in. All being ready, the suspending line would be cut and the boat would drop adrift. The arms and equipment and the plan for handling the boat would be the same as decided on in the first instance. Attention was called to an old catamaran at hand, and it was slung over the side in a similar way near the life-boat. As soon as it was settled that the entrance was not to be made at sunset, a relief crew was sent over, and the men from the Merrimac were sent on board the New York to get a little rest and a hearty meal. However, they were unable to sleep, and cared for little refreshment except coffee. They were beyond the stage of appetite or sleep. After they arrived. Captain Chadwick called me up to say that he had seen MuUen, and there was no question about his being utterly exhausted. I had feared as much, for he had been working all night and the previous day, missing four successive meals. It is difficult for one not present to conceive the fearful condi tions of strain, mental and physical, that MuUen was under when we were fighting against time in 73 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" the preparation of anchors and chains. With the prolongation of anxiety, and without ability to rest, he had almost passed the limit of human endurance. But he was game to the end, and would not give up. It required an imperative order from Captain Chadwick to keep him back. It now became a question of selecting a man in his place. When the Iowa sent her long list of volunteers and learned that so few men were re quired, she selected one man from all the number —Murphy, cockswain. There can be no question about a man whom a ship's company singles out to be its representative. It was decided to take Murphy, and I was to determine after seeing him whether to intrust to him Mullen's perilous duty. Signal was made to the Iowa to send him over. All remaining details were attended to. The executive officer of the New York thoughtfully directed a basket of provisions and a bucket of strong coffee to be ready. The fleet surgeon pre pared two canteens of medicated water. A short while remained before the time for leaving, and I went below for a shower-bath. It was deeply touching to see the kindness and thoughtfulness shown on all sides. The caterer had directed the steward's special preparation of coffee, and a cup, black and steaming, was kept ready on the table for the moment of coming below. The orderly came down to say that Captain Chadwick would be 74 THE RUN IN happy to have me join him in a late afternoon luncheon— most thoughtful and opportune, for I should be leaving about the dinner-hour. One officer had just received some specially flne lemons and oranges : I must try them and take some along. Another had a handsome brace of pistols: surely they would be better than the bulky service re volver. Still another had a special cordial with vir tues all its own : might he not put up a bottle ? Cap tain Miller, who had been assigned to my state-room, was foremost in cordiality and expressions of kind ness. But most touching was the solicitude of Captain Chadwick. He did not wish me to talk, for it would require exertion. I must sit down, though he and the admiral were standing. I must lie down and sleep upon reaching the Merrimac. It was in vain I assured him that I was in exceUent shape, with pulse normal, nerves steady,— if any thing a tinge phlegmatic,— brain as clear as a bell- in fact, only in " second wind," as it were, while the limit of endurance was not in sight. He would not be convinced, and even threatened that if I did not take measures for resting he should feel like advis ing the admiral not to let me go in next morning. In fact, before leaving he delivered strict orders that on reaching the Merrimac I should remain below and not appear on the bridge before one o'clock. The crew of the Merrimac left the New York about 75 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" six o'clock. The admiral was at the gangway, the last to say good-by, having again a simple word of kindness, a hand-pressure, a look that spoke more than a volume of words. Cadet Palmer made a last plea to be allowed to go, saying that he was assis tant navigator, was in practice in taking compass bearings, and would be useful in approaching the entrance, and the admiral and chief of staff ap proved. Such was his eloquent pleading, difficult to refuse, but the same reasons held as in the other cases. As we went over to the Merrimac the vessels of the fleet were standing down for their night posi tions of blockade on the arc of a circle around the entrance, about four miles from the Morro as a center. Cadet Joseph W. Powell came to take charge with the relief crew, a pilot being with him to assist in keeping the Morro located. Upon ar riving, the gunner reported that three of the tor pedo connections would not respond to the test, and in consequence there were only seven for service, these being located in the position of the six of the previous night, with the additional one aft, corre sponding to positions numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 on the plan, page 14. Moreover, he had found that the cells would act with better effect if arranged in separate groups, and had so arranged them, with ten cells to each torpedo, the cells lying on the deck abreast the torpedo, each torpedo having thus its 76 ENSIGN JOSEPH WEIGHT POWELL. THE RUN IN own independent contact. In view of the addi tional security in not having aU the cells concen trated in one spot, the arrangement was accepted, although it would require at least one additional man and would cause the firing to be less under my own control. The boatswain's mate reported that the life-boat and the catamaran had been ar ranged as directed, and his gang and the gunner's gang were sent back to the New York before we got under way, the steam-launch returning to remain with the Merrimac in order to take off the relief crew when the regular crew should take charge. In the launch in which we came off a new man was sitting in the bow; some one said it was Murphy of the Iowa. I looked at him well and felt that there need be no hesitation about giving him Mullen's duty. Powell went on the bridge with the pilot and took charge. The Merrimac's crew were directed to lie down and try to sleep until they should be called; Powell was to have us called at one. In obedience to orders to rest, I went into the bridge- house and lay down on the transom. The New York and the Merrimac stood down in company till the New York reached her blockading position. It was interesting to listen to the sounds of the en gines, of the vessel moving through the water, and of the voices on the bridge. The two ships hailed several times, and then made a fareweU hail as the 79 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" New York drew off to her position. The Merrimac stood on farther to the southward and westward till she reached a position just outside of the block ading line, with Morro bearing about northeast. Here she lay motionless for several hours, waiting for the time to start. There was a weirdness in the situation as I looked out of the air-port from time to time. The moon, now nearly full, rose high, and reached and passed the meridian without a cloud appearing in the sky. The Brooklyn lay off to the northwest, and in the reflected light looked almost white ; the Texas, to the northeast, presenting her shadowy side, looked dark and menacing. The other vessels farther in the distance seemed like phantoms. All lights were extinguished, and the moon was supreme in the stillness. The mountains far back beyond Santiago were scarcely visible ; the peaks closer to the westward rose high with a distinct sky-line. The mountains continued landward the circle of the ships. Sleep was out of the question, so I went over, to the minutest detail, the various features of the work to be done. The torpedoes, with the new arrange ment, were to be fired in succession, beginning for ward so as to throw her down by the bow. After letting go the anchor, Murphy was to fire torpedo No. 1 without further orders. Charette was then to fire torpedo No. 2, then torpedo No. 3. Deignan, 80 THE RUN IN after putting the helm hard aport, was to "lay down " to torpedo No. 4 and be ready to fire by the time No. 3 went off. An additional man was to be selected from the relief crew to attend to torpedo No. 5. After stopping the engine, Phillips and Kelly were to open the sea connections and flood without further orders and then come on deck, and Phillips was to stand by to fire torpedo No. 6, and Kelly torpedo No. 8. Those were hours of interesting experience before the start. There was no diversion of the senses, and this fact and the feeling of loneliness seemed to deepen the impression of the closeness of God and nature. My business affairs had been disposed of at the beginning of the war, and I had no dis quieting thoughts as to the past or the future. The mind and heart accepted the reality of things with deep, keen, exquisite delight. There were singular emotions, as the thoroughness of preparation and the sureness of execution became clearer and clearer, while the details and the processes were gone over again and again. Toward midnight, when there was no longer any chance of the moon failing, these emotions amounted to exultation, so much so that I could not help giving it expression. Charette had been stirring near at hand ; in fact, a little while before, when some one in the darkness had made a noise, Charette expostulated in a vehe ment whisper : " Can't you keep quiet there ! Don't 81 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" you know Mr. Hobson is sleeping here ! " I caUed out: "Charette, lad, we are going to make it to night. There is no power under heaven can keep us out of the channel ! " He seemed surprised that the outer channel was the objective, and said that he and all the other men thought we were going up into the harbor ; that the admiral. Captain Chadwick, and I had been seen consulting the chart which took in the inner harbor, and they all thought that we would go inside three miles beyond the entrance. Such was the mission for which these brave men had so ardently volunteered. At about a quarter of one Charette was sent to call the other men and take the bucket of coffee to the fire-room and bring it up steaming. About one I went on the bridge. Powell and the pilot were walking up and down. They pointed out the Morro, just discernible with the night-glasses, about five miles distant, bearing about northeast by the compass. A fine-looking seaman was at the wheel. I went close and examined him, and said to myself : " Un less looks deceive, he is the man for the additional work with the torpedoes." Before being spoken to he asked if he might go with us. " What is your name and rate V I asked. " Clausen, cockswain of the barge, sir." The rating confirmed my judgment from his looks, and I replied : " Yes ; you may go. When relieved at the wheel you will be given your 82 THE RUN IN station and duties." The delight in the man's face could be seen in the moonhght. Clausen's inclu sion in the crew was thus entirely regular. The report that he was a stowaway was doubtless due to the fact that he was not in the original crew of six determined upon before the rearrangement of torpedo connections. Powell reported that the admiral had directed the steam-launch, after putting off the New York's men on the nearest blockading vessel, to stand in toward the entrance and stand by to lend assistance to the Merrimac's crew in escaping. This measure had been suggested by me because the admiral seemed so solicitous about our escape when considering the question of going in at sunset. I had suggested the measure only in connection with the sunset plan, and made no further reference to it when decision was made against that hour, since it was question able whether the chances of escape were sufficient to justify the exposure of the launch's crew. Pow ell's report was, therefore, a surprise. It was too late to consult the admiral again. His decision in the matter must be accepted. I asked Powell if his engines and fires were muffied. He answered yes, that he had put over canvas covers, that the launch's regular crew had all volunteered, and that aU prep arations had been made. It was interesting to see his own delight at the prospect of the work. We arranged the rendezvous. The launch would creep 83 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" up from the westward and watch for the appearance of boat or men. If the boat were destroyed and the, men could not stand out against the tide running flood, he would endeavor to dash across the entrance for the rendezvous under the seaward side of the Morro, near the mouth of the caverns. Charette now brought the coffee on the bridge; some sandwiches were at hand ; all the crew came up, and also Mr. Crank from the engine-room, and we had a cheerful breakfast. Even the pipe cameout as usual. About half -past one we " turned to," and the men went to their stations. I went the round, fore and aft, to go over the duties with each man. Murphy, on the forecastle, was given the same in structions that Mullen had had; in addition, after receiving the cord signal to cut the anchor-lashing, and after the lashing had been cut on the starboard side, he was to pass over to the port side and make contact to fire torpedo No. 1 without further orders. Murphy listened without a word to all the instruc tions concerning the precautions to be taken in view of the exposure in flring the torpedo : for the fore castle was narrow, and while making contact he would still be in danger from the rushing chain and the breaking stops and hawsers ; moreover, the forecastle had no bulwark or rail, and though high above it, he would be exposed to a heavy blast from the torpedo explosion, the collision bulkhead being directly beneath. Indeed, it was intimated that he 84 THE RUN IN might be wounded by the explosion even under the best conditions of precaution. He examined the lashing and block under it, saw the new ax at hand, found the end of the signal-cord, examined the wire ends for making contact, and replied simply: "It shall be done, sir." Charette was already famUiar with torpedoes No. 2 and No. 3. Deignan was taken to torpedo No. 4, Phillips to torpedo No. 6, and Kelly to tor pedo No. 8, and each was instructed as to the firing. Montague's duties were the same as for the first run. Deignan relieved Clausen at the wheel, and Clausen was taken to torpedo No. 5. Phillips and Kelly would have the same duties below as pre viously arranged. All were instructed about the rendezvous and directed afresh to lie on their faces except while executing work, and to pay no atten tion to the enemy's fire, no matter what it might be. Good-bys were now exchanged. The New York's men, Powell, and the pilot disembarked. Just then Mr. Crank came up and reported engines and boUers ready for the run, the boilers requiring no further jfiring. The launch had shoved off and was some distance away, and Mr. Crank repeated the tender of his services to go in. It would have been wrong -to accept them. I hailed the launch. There was mo reply. Then I hailed again, louder. Still there -was no reply. On a still louder hail it stopped, Kjame back, and took Mr. Crank. Then it was that fi 87 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" this gallant engineer left the Merrimac. He had not gone from her for a moment during the whole course of preparations, had not had a moment's rest in two days and two nights, and had been repairing the boilers and putting them in shape while the others were unengaged. He had expected to go in the first day and had passed through all the experi ence of suspense preceding action. The launch headed for the Texas and was soon lost sight of. Preparation was ended. The road was clear. The hour for execution had come. The Merrimac was heading about west-southwest. The engine telegraph was turned to "slow speed ahead," the helm was put astarboard, and we gath ered headway and swung round by the southward and stood up slowly on the course. The moon was about an hour and a half high, and steering for the Morro, we were running straight down the reflected path of light. To clear this we stood to the east ward of the course, and crept along obliquely at about four knots. Charette was sent to see that all the men were equipped and the revolvers loaded. It took only a short time to strip off uniforms and put on revolver-belts and life-preservers. Charette soon came back and reported that all the men were equipped except the two below, who had stripped to breech-cloths, and who asked permission to leave their revolver-belts and life-preservers at the head of the hatch on account of the inconven- 88 Drawn by £. S. Gielow, under the supervision of Mr. JSobaon. PLAN OF THE MANCEUVEE AS EXECUTED JUNE 3, 1898. EXPLANATIONS. 1, Position when engine was stopped. 2, Position when helm was last in operation. 3, Position when bow-anchor was let go and torpedoes were fired. 4, Position when struck by mine explosion, just before starboard quarter grounded on Estrella Point. 5-7, Positions as the tide wrenched vessel off Estrella Point, and set her down channel— vessel gradually straightening out. 8, Position when sunk. O, Submarine mines nnexploded, mines Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12. ¦, Submarine mines fired at vessel, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. -5fr, Submarine mine that struck vessel, No. 5. ••, Automatic torpedoes fired by JReina Mercedes and Pluton. NOTE.— The exact location of mines is not known. It would be perhaps fairly accurate to subdivide the distance between the extreme positions into eight equal parts, following the middle of the channel. THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" ience of wearing them while working engines and boilers. As we stood on, the outlines of Morro and other shore objects became clearer and clearer. The blockading vessels were miles behind. When we arrived within about two thousand yards there could be no further question of surprise. In the bright moonlight we were in clear view, and our movements must long since have caused suspicion. The enemy was now doubtless on the verge of sounding the general alarm, if indeed it had not already been sounded. The orders were: "Full speed ahead ! " " Steady astarboard ! " and the en gine telegraph recorded prompt execution, Deignan repeating in firm voice : " Steady astarboard, sir." The vessel responded as if animated. The foam began to fly from our anchors, which, slung over bow and quarter, just trailed in the water, and our bow swung round to the northward and westward. " Meet her ! " was the order. " Meet her, sir," was the reply. " Steady ! " " Steady, sir." We stood down toward the course for entering. Charette was sent below to tell Phillips and Kelly that we were on the final run and that the signal to stop would be the signal to open up sea connections and then " lay up " on deck by the torpedoes, and both were directed to put on revolver-belt and life-preserver as soon as they reached the deck, Morro drew farther to starboard. It bore north, 90 THE RUN IN then north by east, then north-northeast. We must keep clear of the two-fathom bank and not over reach to the westward. " Nothing to the westward ? " " Nothing to the westward, sir." Morro bears north east by north. "Port!" "Port, sir." "Steady!" " Steady, sir." " Port a little ! " " Port a Uttle, sir." Morro bears northeast. " Steady ! " " Steady, sir." "Head for the Morro!" "Head for the Morro, sir." The night-glasses showed up EstreUa. " Can you make out the white spot to the left of Morro ? " " Yes, sir." " That is EstreUa. Steer for EstreUa ! " "Steer for Estrella, sir." The swell approaching the entrance might tend to set our stern to port. " Watch the helm ! " " Watch the helm, sir." "Do not let her yaw, but use only a gentle helm ! " "Aye, aye, sir." Deignan's whole thought was centered on his helm. He seemed to forestall any deviating tendency, and the heavy collier kept as straight as a handy yacht, and on we drove down the exact course. Morro drew higher in the sky, and the western side of the entrance, though dim as expected, showed the bald spot of the sea battery on top. We were within five hundred yards, and still no token from the enemy, though the silence was ominous. Ah, we should make the channel now, no matter what they might do ! I knew how long "the vessel carried headway, we were making nearly 3iine knots, and soon the flood- tide would help, 91 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" whUe we had over seven thousand tons of reserve buoyancy, which would carry us the required dis tance even under a mortal wound. Another ship's length, and a flash darted out from the water's edge at the left side of the entrance. The expected crash through the ship's side did not foUow, nor did the projectile pass over; it must have gone astern. Strange to miss at such short range ! Another flash— another miss ! This time the projectile plainly passed astern. Night-glasses on the spot revealed a dark object— a picket-boat with rapid-flre guns lying in the shadow. As sure as fate he was firing at our rudder, and we should be obliged to pass him broadside within a ship's length ! If we only had had a rapid-fire gun we could have disposed of the miserable object in ten seconds ; yet there he lay unmolested, firing point-blank at our ex posed rudder, so vital to complete success. A flash of rage and exasperation passed over me. The ad miration due this gallant little picket-boat did not come till afterward. Glasses on the starboard bow showed the sharp, steep, step-like fall with which the western point of Morro drops into the water. This was the looked-for guide, the channel carrying deep water right up to the wall. " A touch of port helm ! " was the order. " A touch of port helm, sir," was the response. " Steady ! " " Steady, sir." Now, even without hehn, we should pass down safe. Suddenly there was a crash from the port side. 92 THE RUN IN " The western battery has opened on us, sir ! " called Charette, who was stUl on the bridge, waiting to take the message to the engine-room if telegraph and signal-cord should be shot away. " Very weU ; pay no attention to it," I replied, without turning, Morro Point, on the starboard side, requiring all attention. The latter part of the answer was spoken for the benefit of the helmsman. "Mind your helm ! " " Mind the helm, sir." " Nothing to star board?" "Nothing to starboard, sir." The clear, firm voice of Deignan told that there need be no fear of his distraction. I estimated the distance to Morro Point at about three ships' lengths, and wondered if the men below would stand till we covered another ship's length, two ships' lengths being the distance at which it had been decided to give the signal to stop. All of a sudden, whir! cling! came a projectile across the bridge and struck something. I looked. The engine telegraph was stiU there. Deignan and the binnacle were still standing. Two and a haK ships' lengths ! Two ships' lengths! Then over the engine telegraph went the order : " Stop." Sure and steady the answer-pointer turned. There need have been no anxiety about the constancy of the brave men below. The engine stopped, and somehow I knew the sea connections were thrown open. This has been a puzzle to me ever since. For how could the 93 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" bonnet flying off, or the ax-blows on copper piping, or the inrush of water make enough noise or vibra tion to be heard or felt on the bridge, particularly with guns firing and projectiles striking? It may be that the condition of expectation and the fact of the fulfilment of the first part of the order suggested the conclusion, but sure I was that the connections were open and that the ship was beginning to settle. " You may ' lay down ' to your torpedoes now, Charette." " Aye, aye, sir." On the vessel forged, straight and sure the bow entered. Morro shut off the sky to the right. The flring now became gen eral, but we were passing the crisis of navigation and could spare attention to nothing else. A sweU seemed to set our stern to port, and the bow swung heavily toward Morro, which we had hugged close intentionally. " Starboard ! " " Starboard, sir." Still we swung starboard ! " Starboard, I say ! " " The helm 's astarboard, sir." Our bow must have come within thirty feet of Morro rock before the vessel began to recover from the sheer, and we passed it close aboard. "Meet her ! " " Meet her, sir." The steering-gear was still ours, and only about half a ship's length more and we should be in the position chosen for the manceuver. The sky began to open up beyond Morro. There was the cove. Yes ; there was the position! "Hard aport!" " Hard aport, sir." No response of the ship ! " Hard aport, I say ! " " The 94 THE RUN IN helm is hard aport, sir, and lashed." "Very well, Deignan," I said ; " lay down to your torpedo." Oh, heaven! Our steering-gear was gone, shot away at the last moment, and we were charging forward straight down the channel ! It is difficult to state just how the steering-gear was disabled. The Spanish lieutenant in charge of the picket-boat claimed that he shot away the rudder and the whole stern structure. It is certain, however, that he had not done this up to a point within half a ship's length from the position where the helm was ordered to be put over. As referred to farther on, Montague reported a large projectile wrecking the stern structure as it cut the anchor- lashing. This sheU may have destroyed the rudder- head in addition. Charette reported that when he was examining the torpedo connections after they had faUed to flre, he noticed that the chain that led from the tiller to the wheel on the bridge along the upper deck had been shot away. The steering-gear may have been disabled thus in any one or in all of these ways. We must have had four and three quarters knots' speed of our own, and the tide must have been fully a knot and a half. What ground-tackle could hold against a mass of over seven thousand tons moving with a velocity of six knots ? We stood on a little longer to reduce the speed further. A pull on Murphy's cord to standby,— three steady pulls, 95 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" —the bow-anchor fell. A pause, then a shock, a muffled ring above the blast of guns : torpedo No. 1 had gone off promptly and surely, and I knew that the collision bulkhead was gone. If the bow-chain in breaking would only give us a sheer and the other torpedoes proved as sure, we should have but a short interval to float, and hold ing on to the stern-anchor, letting go only at the last moment, we might stUl effectuaUy block the channel. An interval elapsed and grew longer- no answer from torpedo No. 2, none from No. 3. Thereupon I crossed the bridge and shouted : " Pire all torpedoes ! " My voice was drowned. Again and again I yelled the order, with hands over mouth, directing the sound forward, below, aft. It was useless. The rapid-fire and machine-gun batteries on Socapa slope had opened up at fuU blast, and projectiles were exploding and clanging. For noise, it was Niagara magnified. Soon Charette came running up. " Torpedoes 2 and 3 will not fire, sir ; the cells are shattered all over the deck." " Very well ; lay down and underrun all the others, beginning at No. 4, and spring them as soon as possible." In a moment No. 5 went off with a fine ring. Deignan had waited for No, 2 and No. 3, and not hearing them had tried his own, but had found the connections broken and the cells shattered. He then went down to Clausen at No. 5. No other torpedo responded. No. 6 and No. 8 had suffered 96 THE RUN IN the same fate as Nos. 2, 3, and 4. With only two exploded torpedoes we should be some time sink ing, and the stern-anchor would be of first impor tance. I determined to go down aft and stand over to direct it personally, letting go at the oppor tune moment. Passing along the starboard gangway, I reached the rendezvous. Stepping over the men, they appeared to be aU present. There was Charette, returned from a second attempt at the torpedoes. There could be no further hope from that quarter, and, oh ! there was Montague ! The stern-anchor, then, was already gone. If the chain was broken, we should have no further means of controlling our position. Looking over the bulwarks, I saw that we were just in front of Estrella, apparently motionless, lying about two thirds athwart the channel, the bow to the westward. Could it be that the ground-tackle had held ? Then we should block the channel in spite of all. I watched, almost breathless, taking a range of the bow against the shore-line. The bow moved,, the stern moved— oh, heaven ! the chains were gone ! The tide was setting us down and would straighten us out if the stern should touch first. Oh, for the war-heads to put her down at once ! But we were helpless. I said nothing to Montague about having let go the stern- anchor, — indeed, gave him no evidence of my cha grin,— for he had been instructed that if no signal 97 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" came from the bridge he should let go a short time after the torpedoes ceased going off ; and, moreover, the signal-cord from the bridge had been broken. It was not until weeks after our exchange that I ventured a reference to the subject, when he told me that he had seen that we were not swinging athwart as expected, and had not let go the anchor himself, but that a large projectile coming from ahead over the port bow, apparently from a ship, had exploded aft, wrecking everything in the vicin ity, and cutting the lashing that held the anchor ! There was nothing further to do but to accept the situation. We mustered, counting heads, and thought aU were present ; but we must have counted wrongly, for after a minute or two Kelly came across the deck on all fours. He had done his duty below with promptness and precision, and had come on deck to stand by his torpedo. While putting on his life-preserver a large projectile had exploded close at hand,— he thought against the mainmast, — and he had been thrown with violence on the deck, face down, his upper lip being cut away on the right side. He must have lain there some little time unconscious, and had got up completely dazed, without memory. He looked on one side and then the other, saw the engine-room hatch,— the first object recognized,— and, under the force of habit, started down it, but found the way blocked by water, which had risen up around the cylinders. 98 THE RUN IN The sight of the water seemed to bring back mem ory, and soon the whole situation dawned .upon him ; he mounted again, and with heroic devotion went to his torpedo, only to find the ceUs and con nections destroyed, when he started for the rendez vous. He had,' indeed, brought his revolver-belt, so as to be in uniform, and adjusted it after reaching us. His reception must have seemed strange, for it was at the muzzle of my revolver. Thinking that our men were all at hand, it was a strange sensation to see a man come up on all fours, stealthily, as it seemed, from behind the hatch. Could they be boarding us so soon ? My revolver covered him at once, and I looked to see if others followed. It was not until the revolver was almost in his face that the unusual uniform showed that the man was one of us. The idea of the Spaniards boarding us under the condition seemed ridiculous the moment the man was accounted for, and the mental pro cesses and the action taken must have belonged to the class of reflex or spontaneous phenomena. Charette told me that he also, when he saw the man, drew his revolver with the idea of repelUng boarders. We were now moving bodUy onward with the tide, Estrella Point being just ahead of the star board quarter. A blasting shock, a lift, a pull, a series of vibrations, and a mine exploded directly beneath us. My heart leaped with exultation. 101 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" " Lads, they are helping us ! " I looked to see the deck break, but it still held. I looked over the side to see her settle at once, but the rate was only slightly increased. Then came the thought. Could it be that the coal had deadened the shock and choked the breach, or had the breach been made just where we were already flooded by sea connec tion and torpedo No. 5 ? A sense of indescribable disappointment swept over me. I looked again: no encouragement. But ah ! we had stopped, Es treUa Point had caught us strong, and we were steadily sinking two thirds athwart. The work was done, and the rest was only a question of time. We could now turn our attention toward the course of action to be taken next. Upon arriving at the rendezvous, I ordered that no man move till further orders, and repeated the order to Kelly when he arrived. The order had been obeyed without murmur. I then said to them : "We will remain here, lads, till the moon sets. When it is dark we will go down the after-hatch, to the coal, where her stern will be left out of water. Some of us will come up and get the rifles and car tridges from the boat. We will remain inside all day, and to-night at ebb-tide try to make our way to the squadron. If the enemy comes on board, we will remain quiet until he flnds us, and wUl repel him. If he then turns artiUery on the place where we are, we wiU swim out to points farther forward." Such 102 THE RUN IN were my plans when it seemed we should remain on Estrella Point and sink by the bow with the stern out. I added : " Remain as you are, lads ; I am going to take a turn to reconnoiter." I wanted to go forward to hoist the flag. " Please do not, sir," pleaded Charette, when he discovered my in tention. " If you go they wUl see you and wiU see us aU." He was right. It would be wrong to take the risk. There might be a better chance when it became dark. " Very weU, then," I said ; " I will not go." I looked over the bulwarks to observe again the speed of sinking and take note of the enemy's fire. " Here is a chock, sir, where you can look out without putting your head over the rail," called Charette. The hole was large, just above the deck, and well suited for observation. It was doubt less a valuable find of Charette's, for the patter of bullets had continued to increase, and now repeat- ing-rifles were flring down on us from Estrella, just above.^ It is remarkable, indeed, that some of these men did not see us, for though the moon was low, it was bright, and there we were with white life-preservers almost at the muzzles of their guns. The pouring out of ammunition into the ship at 1 While in prison the men were side ; and the writer was informed told by Spanish soldiers that the by a Spanish army officer that troops of the Sixty-fifth Eegiment troops were ordered in from far were lining the eastern side of the and near, a detachment from San- entrance, and troops of the Sev- tiago, of which he was a member, enty-fifth Regiment the western arriving only as the ilfemmac sank, 103 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" large must have prevented them from seeking spe cial targets with deliberation. The deafening roar of artUlery, however, came from the other side, just opposite our position. There were the rapid-flre guns of different calibers, the unmistakable Hotchkiss revolving cannon, the quick succession and pause of the Nordenfelt multi- barrel, and the tireless automatic gun.^ A deadly fire came from ahead, apparently from shipboard. These larger projectiles would enter, explode, and rake us ; those passing over the spar-deck would 1 Just after the surrender of Santiago, when I went in to assist Lieutenant Capehart, who was detailed to raise the mines, I took occasion to look at the batteries on Socapa, and found in place the following : in the sea battery, two 16-centimeter (6.3-inch) breech- loading rapid-fire, and three 9- inoh mortars, studded system, old pattern ; on the slope opposite Es trella, one Nordenfelt 57-millime ter rapid-fire, one Nordenfelt four- barrel 25-inillimeter, and four Hotchkiss 37-millimeter revolving cannon. There were emplace ments from which guns had been removed, and it was impossible to teU what was the full strength of the battery when the Merrimac entered. I was informed that after the landing of United States troops a general redistribution of artillery took place, guns placed along the entrance being trans ferred to the defense of the city. I was also informed that the bat teries of the. destroyers had been used ashore at the entrance, but had been put back on the boats before they left the harbor on Julys. It may be added that eight ob servation mines were found to have been fired at the Merrimac —all of the six from the Estrella station, and two of the six from the Socapa station, leaving only four, there being no material to replace the ones fired. Powell in his report of his observations speaks of seeing seven simulta neous colurims of water as from torpedoes. As only two of my tor pedoes went off, and at different times, this would indicate that six of these must have been from the Estrella station mines. 104 THE "MERRIMAC" AGROUND AND UNDER PIRE OPP ESTRELLA POINT. THE RUN IN apparently pass through the deck-house, far enough away to cause them to explode just in front of us. All firing was at point-blank range, at a target that could hardly be missed, the Socapa batteries with plunging fire, the ships' batteries with horizontal fire. The striking projectiles and flying fragments produced a grinding sound, with a flne ring in it of steel on steel. The deck vibrated heavily, and we felt the full effect, lying, as we were, full-length on our faces. At each instant it seemed that certainly the next would bring a projectile among us. The impulse surged strong to get away from a place where re maining seemed death, and the men suggested tak ing to the boat and jumping overboard; but I knew that any object leaving the ship would be seen, and to be seen was certain death, and, there fore, I directed aU to remain motionless. The test of discipline was severe, but not a man moved, not even when a projectile plunged into the boiler, and a rush of steam came up the deck not far from where we lay. The men expected a boiler explo sion, but accepted my assurance that it would be only a steam-escape. While lying thus, a singular physiological phenomenon occurred. After a few minutes, one of the men asked for the canteen, saying that his lips had begun to parch ; then an other asked, then another, and it was passed about to aU. Only a few minutes had elapsed when they fi 107 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" all asked again, and I felt my own lips begin to parch and my mouth to get dry. It seemed very singular, so I felt my pulse, and found it entirely tiormal, and took account of the state of the nervous system. It was, if anything, more phlegmatic than usual, observation and reason taking account of the conditions without the participation of the emotions. Projectiles, indeed, were every moment expected among us, but they would have been taken in the same way. Reason took account of proba bilities, and, according to the direction of the men's bodies with regard to the line of flre from the ships' guns, I waited to see one man's leg, another man's shoulder, the top of another man's head, taken off. I looked for my own body to be cut in two diago nally, from the left hip upward, and wondered for a moment what the sensation would be. Not hav ing pockets, tourniquets had been carried loosely around my left arm, and a roll of antiseptic lint was held in my left hand. These were placed in readiness. We must have remained thus for eight or ten minutes, while the guns flred ammunition as in a proving-ground test for speed. I was looking out of the chock, when it seemed that we were moving. A range was taken on the shore. Yes, the bow moved. Sunk deep, the tide was driving it on and straightening us out. My heart sank. Oh, fot the war-heads ! Why did not the admiral let us have 108 ON THE DECK OP THE "MERRIMAC." THE RUN IN them ! The tide wrenched us off Estrella, straight ened us out, and set us right down the channel toward the part where its width increases. Though sinking fast, there still remained considerable free board, which would admit of our going some dis tance, and we were utterly helpless to hasten the sinking. A great wave of disappointment set over me ; it was anguish as intense as the exultation a few minutes before. On the tide set us, as straight as a pilot and tugboats could have guided. Socapa station fired two mines, but, alas ! they missed us, and we approached the bight leading to Churruca Point to the right, and the bight cutting off Smith Cay from Socapa on the left, causing the enlarge ment of the channel. I saw with dismay that it was no longer possible to block completely. The Merrimac gave a premonitory lurch, then staggered to port in a death-throe. The bow almost fell, it sank so rapidly. We crossed the keel-line of a vessel removed a few hundred feet away, behind Socapa ; it was the Beina Mercedes. Her bow torpedoes bore on us. Ah ! to the right the Pluton was coming up from the bight, her torpedoes bearing. But, alas ! cruiser and destroyer were both too late to help us. They were only in at the death.^ 1 It was found that the Beina afterward that the Ptotora had fired ifercedesfiredbothbowtorpedoes, her torpedoes. The day foUowing and Admiral Cervera informed me our entrance, two automobile tor- 111 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" The stricken vessel now reeled to port. Some one said: "She is going to turn over on us, sir," to which I replied : " No ; she wiU right herself in sink ing, and we shall be the last spot to go under," The firing suddenly ceased. The vessel lowered her head like a faithful animal, proudly aware of its sacrifice, bowed below the surface, and plunged forward. The stern rose and heeled heavily; it stood for a moment, shuddering, then started down ward, righting as it went, A great rush of water came up the gangway, seething and gurgling out of the deck. The mass was whirling from right to left " against the sun"; it seized us and threw us against the bulwarks, then over the rail. Two were swept forward as if by a momentary recession, and one was carried down into a coal-bunker— luckless Kelly, In a moment, however, with increased force, the water shot him up out of the same hole and swept him among us. The bulwarks disappeared. A sweeping vortex whirled above. We charged about with casks, cans, and spars, the incomplete stripping having left quantities on the deck. The life-preservers stood us in good stead, preventing chests from being crushed, as well as buoying us on the surface ; for pedoes were found outside, having of the automobiles took effect. If drifted with the current, and, what they did, we did not feel the effects was reiuarkable, one still had on where we were. In any case the dummy, or drill-head. It can- they could not have appreciably not be said positively whether any affected the sinking. 112 THE SINKING OP THE "MERRIMAC." THE RUN IN spars came end on like battering-rams, and the sharp corners of tin cans struck us heavily. The experience of being swept over the side was rather odd. The water lifted and threw me against the bulwarks, the rail striking my waist ; the upper part of the body was bent out, the lower part and the legs being driven heavily against what seemed to be the plating underneath, which, singularly enough, appeared to open. A foot-baU instinct came promptly, and I drew up my knees; but it seemed too late, and apparently they were being driven through the steel plate, a phenomenon that struck me as being most singular ; yet there it was, and I wondered what the sensation would be like in having the legs carried out on one side of the raU, and the body on the other, concluding that some embarrassment must be expected in swim ming without legs. The situation was apparently relieved by the rail going down. Afterward Cha rette asked : " Did those oil-cans that were left just forward of us trouble you also as we were swept out ? " Perhaps cans, and not steel plates, separated before my kneecaps. When we looked for the life-boat we found that it had been carried away. The catamaran was the largest piece of floating debris ; we assembled about it. The line suspending it from the cargo-boom held and anchored us to the ship, though barely long enough to reach the surface, causing the raft 115 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" to turn over and set us scrambling as the line came taut. The firing had ceased. It was evident the enemy had not seen us in the general mass of moving ob jects; but soon the tide began to drift these away, and we were being left alone with the catamaran. The men were directed to cling close in, bodies below and only heads out, close under the edges, and were directed not to speak above a whisper, for the destroyer was near at hand, and boats were passing near. We mustered ; all were present, and direction was given to remain as we were till further orders, for I was sure that in due time after daylight a responsible officer would come out to reconnoiter. It was evident that we could not swim agiainst the tide to reach the entrance. Moreover, the shores were lined with troops, and the small boats were looking for victims that might escape from the vessel. The only chance lay in remaining undiscovered until the coming of the reconnoitering boat, to which, perhaps, we might surrender with out being fired on. The moon was now low. The shadow of Socapa fell over us, and soon it was dark. The sunken vessel was bubbling up its last lingering breath. The boats' crews looking for refugees pulled closer, peering with lanterns, and again the discipline of the men was put to severe test, for time and again it seemed that the boats would come up, and the 116 SPANIARDS SEARCHING FOR THE CREW WITH LANTERNS. THE RUN IN impulse to swim away was strong. A suggestion was made to cut the line and let the catamaran drift away. This was also emphatlcaUy forbidden, for we should thus miss the reconnoitering boat and certainly faU into less responsible hands. Here, as before, the men strictly obeyed orders, though the impulse for safety was strong to the contrary, and sauve qui peut would have been justifiable, if it is ever justifiable. The air was chilly and the water positively cold. In less than five minutes our teeth were chatter ing ; so loud, indeed, did they chatter that it seemed the destroyer or the boats would hear. It was in marked contrast with the parched lips of a few minutes before. In spite of their efforts, two of the men soon began to cough, and it seemed that we should surely be discovered. I worked my legs and body under the raft for exercise, but, in spite of all, the shivers would come and the teeth would chatter. We remained there probably an hour. Frogs croaked up the bight, and as dawn broke, the birds began to twitter and chirp in the bushes and trees near at hand along the wooded slopes. Day came bright and beautiful. It seemed that nature disre garded man and went on the same, serene, peaceful, and unmoved. Man's strife appeared a discord, and his tragedy received no sympathy. About daybreak a beautiful strain went up from 119 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" a bugle at Punta Gorda battery. It was pitched at a high key, and rose and lingered, long drawn out, gentle and tremulous ; it seemed as though an angel might be playing while looking down in tender pity. Could this be a Spanish bugle ? Broad daylight came. The sun spotted the mountain-tops in the distance and glowed on Morro and Socapa heights. The destroyer got up anchor and drew back again up the bight. We were stUl undiscovered. Some one now announced: "A steam-launch is heading for us, sir." I looked around, and found that a launch of large size, with the curtains aft drawn down, was coming from the bight around Smith Cay and heading straight for us. That must be the reconnoitering party. It swerved a little to the left as if to pass around us, giving no signs of having seen us. No one was visible on board, everybody apparently being kept below the rail. When it was about thirty yards off I hailed. The launch stopped as if frightened, and backed furi ously, A squad of riflemen filed out, and formed in a semicircle on the forecastle, and came to a " load," " ready," " aim." A murmur passed about among my men : " They are going to shoot us." A bitter thought fiashed through my mind: "The miserable cowards ! A brave nation will learn of this and caU for an account," But the volley did not follow. The aim must have been for caution 120 THE RESCUE BY ADMIRAL CERVERA. THE RUN IN only, and it was apparent that there must be an officer on board in control. I caUed out in a strong voice to know if there was not an officer in the boat ; if so, an American officer wished to speak with him with a view to surrendering himself and seamen as prisoners of war. The curtain was raised ; an officer leaned out and waved his hand, and the rifles came down. I struck out for the launch and cUmbed on board aft with the assistance of the officer, who, hours after ward, we learned was Admiral Cervera himself. With him were two other officers, his juniors. To him I surrendered myself and the men, taking off my revolver-belt, glasses, canteen, and life-pre server. The officers looked astonished at flrst, perhaps at the singular uniforms and the begrimed condition of us all, due to the fine coal and oil that came to the surface; then a current of kindness seemed to pass over them, and they exclaimed: " Valiente ! " Then the launch steamed up to the catamaran, and the men climbed on board, the two who had been coughing being in the last stages of exhaustion and requiring to be lifted. We were prisoners in Spanish hands. 123 PART III IMPRISONMENT IN MORRO CASTLE Generous reception on the Mercedes— A surprise for the Spanish o£B.cers— How the news of the crew's safety came to be sent to Admiral Sampson — Eeflections on the result of the ma noeuver— Removal to the Morro— Courtesies from Admiral Cervera— In the eeU of the Morro — Captain Bustamante's kindness — "Every man would do it again to-night, sir"— Comforts from the British consul — Astonishing report of cas ualties in the Merrimac affair — Why the manoeuver failed— A fancy of what might have happened — Our rations— Spanish and American soldiers compared- More courtesies— A recon naissance from the cell wiadow— A midnight intruder- A question of humanity — SuppHes from the fleet— An of&cial in quiry — Thoughts of escape — Under fire from the "American fleet— Inventing a plan of attack— After the bombardment. WHEN we were all on board and had laid aside our arms and accoutrements, the launch headed about and stood for the Reina Mercedes, and I directed the men, who were shivering, to get down near the furnace, to which no objection was raised. Not a word was spoken till we reached the Mercedes. However great may have been their curiosity and interest, the officers, after their first kind words of 124 CONTRAALMIBANTE PASCUAL CERVERA Y TOPETE. IMPRISONMENT IN MORRO CASTLE greeting, forbore to ask questions or make remarks. When we came alongside, the senior officer asked if I would be good enough to go on board with my men. So courteous was his manner, we might have been guests coming to breakfast. The officer of the deck and the executive officer met us at the head of the gangway, I bowed salute, and inspected the men for their condition. Those who were still shivering were sent forward at once for stimulants and friction, Kelly's lip showed a wide gash that had become clogged with coal-dust. Murphy had a wound in his right hip, twelve or fourteen inches in length and perhaps a quarter or a half of an inch in depth, which he had received in the blast when he fired torpedo No, 1 ; and though the wound cer tainly must have been very painful, he had not uttered a groan or made any reference to it during all the time that had elapsed. It was only after our arrival on the Mercedes that we learned of it. The men were all more or less scratched and bruised from colliding with objects in the vortex whirl, but there was no injury of consequence, the life-pre servers having formed excellent buffers. The ex ecutive officer followed the inspection, and gave directions for the care of the men. Kelly and Murphy went to the surgeon, and all were given facilities for washing and were supplied with dry clothing. We found the crew of the Mercedes scrubbing 127 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" down decks and clearing up after the engagement. Everybody seemed to be on deck, and the men, singly and in groups, stared at us with wild-eyed astonishment. Our unconventional uniforms had suffered in adjustment, and they must have thought us an odd-looking group of man-of-war's-men. The men having gone forward, the executive officer invited me to his state-room, had a bath prepared for me and clothing of his own set out, and invited me to come into the ward-room, when ready, and join him at breakfast. The oil and fine coal that had come to the surface had had full chance to permeate, and made heavy bath-work, while the executive officer's civilian clothing, made for a different build, was of questionable fit. But the difficulties due to excess of girth secured the return of my sword-belt when it had been dried out. Special fuU dress, however, could not have brought out a whit more courteous and cordial treatment. After a hearty hand-shake of congratulation and repeated kind words, the executive officer, with thoughtful reference to our exposure, ordered stim ulants. I told him, however, that I was in good shape, none the worse off, and that the breakfast coffee, I was sure, would be sufficient. He gave me his card : " Emilio J. de Aqosta y Eyermann, Cap- itan de Fragata," adding in pencU : " 2° Comandante del Cruc° Beina Mercedes," and I told him my name 128 ? E3a? tjfeQfe?feQfeU fe u ^?acfensEfec.?!' i J iLii?ufeyfeQ^fei]3sasESSEisEife'aaj. CAPTAIN DON EMILIO J. DB ACU.ST.\. Killed iu the bombardmeut ol June U. IMPRISONMENT IN MORRO CASTLE and rank. While eating, we fell into frank and general conversation, all the officers except one hav ing finished breakfast. Captain Acosta gaUantly opened the conversation by saying that there was no reason why officers engaged in honorable warfare, though opposing to their utmost in battle, might not be the best of friends. He went on to describe how he himself had directed the fire of two heavy guns against the entering vessel, though a large part of his crew were absent manning guns that had been put ashore, and how he had finaUy sunk her by two Whitehead torpedoes from his bow tubes, remarking that the mines fired at us seemed to have missed, going astern. He added that, of course, it was an unequal fight; that, in fact, it seemed to him that we should have known from the natural formation of the entrance that it would be impossible for a vessel to force her way through. He then asked what battery we had. I had just referred to being on duty on the New York, and understood him to refer to her, and in reply enume rated her battery, mentioning that he would find it in any of the naval annuals. This seemed to agree with what he had concluded was the battery, and he then asked how many men we had lost. I told him we had lost none. He asked where, then, were all the crew, and all those that were below in the engine- and boiler-rooms and magazines, I 131 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" .saw that he had been referring all the time to the vessel that came in, and told him that she was the Merrimac, a collier, and had no guns at all ; that we had sunk her ourselves, and would have sunk her athwart near Estrella if the steering-gear had not been shot away and nearly all our own torpedoes disabled; adding that, though one of their mines had struck us, it was doubtful if it had assisted* our sinking to any extent, and that we had felt no shock from the automobile torpedoes fired by the Mercedes. He seemed utterly incredulous. The same ex perience was met with in the case of the other Spanish officers. The explosions of their own pro- jectUes must have been taken for the firing of guns on board the Merrimac. Some went so far as to locate two heavy turrets with two guns each, one forward and one aft, and a battery of rapid-fire guns amidships. Apparently the facts were ac cepted only after information from the outside, derived either from the New York by the boat which subsequently took out a flag of truce, or from the United States via Madrid. When we had fin ished breakfast, the commanding officer, who had come to the gangway when we flrst came on board, came into the ward-room. I was introduced, and he gave me his card: "Rafael Micon, Capitdn de Navio," below which he had written : " Admira al valiente capit^n y le dona gran suerte." I told him 132 THE "REINA MERCEDES," SUNK JULY 4, 1898, AND MORBO CASTLE PROM THE WEST. IMPRISONMENT IN MORRO CASTLE my name and rank, and he expressed surprise, as had Captain Acosta, that a constructor should be engaged in military duty at the seat of war. It was difficult to explain to him that our constructors are recruited differently from those abroad, having the same military training as line officers. We fell into general conversation, in which he philoso phized on the question of the war, pointing out that the Cubans were ungrateful and, in general, a bad lot ; that Cuba itself was really an encumbrance upon Spain; that it was recognized, in fact, that Cuba was lost, and Spain fought only for tradition and honor. This seems to have been the general view of the officers with whom I conversed after ward. These observations were made in a delicate way, without involving the attitude of the United States ; but I made no reply to them. When Captain Micon left, I asked for writing- materials : for I had concluded to try to communi cate with Admiral Sampson, with a view to getting information sent out that would allay the anxiety of our famUies; since it was evident that, from their observation of the magnitude of the flre di rected upon the Merrimac, our friends on the fleet would give us all up for lost. The information was directed to Admiral Sampson, and the Spanish commander-in-chief was requested to send it out under flag of truce. The two communications read as foUows : 135 THE SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC" To Admiral Sampson : Spanish Smp " Reina Mercedes," Santiago de Cxiba, June 3, 1898. Sir : I have the honor to report that the Merrimac is sunk in the channel. No loss, only bruises. We are pris oners of war, being well cared for. Very respectfully, R. P. Hobson, Assistant Naval Constructor, U. S. N. Commander-in-Chief TJ. S. Naval Forces, Off Santiago de Cuba. To Admiral Cervera : Spanish Ship " Reina Mercedes," Santiago de Cuba, June 3, 1898. Sib : I have the honor to request that the inclosed com munication be sent under flag of truce to the commander- in-chief of the United States forces off Santiago de Cuba. Very respectfully, Richmond Pearson Hobson, Assistant Naval Constructor, United States Navy. To Commander-in-Chief Spanish Forces, Santiago de Cuba. The report to Admiral Sampson was first drafted to read : " I have the honor to report that the Mer rimac is sunk in the channel— not where planned, but the best that could be done. No loss," etc.; but I thought that the additional clause would be more Ukely to prevent the delivery of the conlmu- 136 "&