Hobson had arranged to meet us off that point; but thinking
that some might have drifted out, we crossed in front of Morro. About
five o'clock we crossed the harbor again, and in passing saw one spar of
the _Merrimac_ sticking out of the water; we hugged the shore just
outside the breakers; the batteries saw us and opened fire; it was then
broad daylight; and finding nothing, we finally made for the _New York_;
the men behaved splendidly." Great admiration is expressed at the Navy
Department in Washington at the coolness and pluck shown by Cadet
Powell; he is likely to profit by his great courage. Young Powell is one
of the cadets from the Naval Academy whom Lieutenant Hobson secured
permission to take with him; they were in the class which Hobson
instructed, and he wished them to accompany him in order that they might
have practical experience in the effect of explosives on ships. At
Annapolis young Powell was considered one of the brightest cadets; he
graduated at the head of his class.
Spanish accounts of the blowing up of the _Merrimac_ are exceedingly
amusing. The official announcement is made that an American vessel,
trying to enter the harbor of Santiago, "was sunk by the batteries"; the
affair is described as a brilliant Spanish victory; it is also added
that Admiral Cervera personally saved an American officer from drowning,
as his ship was in close proximity to the cruiser during the engagement.
The official report goes on to say that the mines guarding the harbor
were exploded simultaneously with the opening of the fire from the
ships, forts, and batteries; congratulations were sent to Admiral
Cervera.
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