The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 24, June 16, 1898 | Page 4

flash of the first gun on shore, and then a brisk firing began from both batteries and fort, which was kept up for some time. Of the Merrimac, nothing more was seen until broad daylight, when the top of her mast was discovered protruding from the water in just the position that Hobson had planned to place her.
[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO SANTIAGO HARBOR.]
Admiral Cervera sent a boat out with the news that the men had been captured, and to make arrangements for their exchange. Lieutenant Hobson's exploit has received universal praise from all parts of the world; he will unquestionably be promoted and receive special distinction from the Government.
One of the young officers on the New York, Cadet Powell, also displayed great bravery. He was detailed to command the New York's steam launch, which accompanied the Merrimac to pick up Hobson and his men if they succeeded in escaping from the harbor; he was the last man to see them. Speaking of the start, he said: "Hobson was as cool as a cucumber; when I shook hands with him, he said: 'Powell, watch the boat's crew when we pull out of the harbor. We will be cracks, rowing thirty strokes to the minute.' We followed about three-quarters of a mile astern of the Merrimac. When about two hundred yards from the harbor the first gun was fired from the eastern bluff; we were then about a half mile from shore. The firing increased very rapidly, and we lost sight of the Merrimac in the smoke which the wind carried off shore. The western battery finally was used and began firing. They shot wildly, and we did not see where the shots struck. We then ran in closer to the shore. Then we heard the explosion of the torpedoes on the Merrimac. Until daylight we waited, just outside the breakers, about half a mile from Morro Castle, keeping a sharp lookout for a boat or swimmers. 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.
[Footnote: Authority for pronunciation of proper names: Century Dictionary.]
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Each day is taken advantage of by the Spaniards at Havana to add to their defences. Earthworks are being rapidly thrown up in the neighborhood of the city; a signal service has been established to enable them to guard the coast at all the points, and they feel confident that a successful invasion cannot take place in that part of the island, as it is so well guarded with modern rapid-fire guns in the batteries, and quite a large force is concentrated there for the defence of the city.
Little, if any, news comes from the blockading squadron off the north coast of Cuba; there are, from time to time, reports of engagements and the landing of troops; but official news has not yet been given out, and for this we must wait until the Government deems it advisable to publish it. Several regiments have been embarked at Mobile, and by this time are supposed to be off the coast of Cuba; they started in high spirits, and there was a great deal of enthusiasm on the part of the people who saw them start. They have probably