Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1898 — ONE VESSEL LOST [ARTICLE]

ONE VESSEL LOST

Attack on Santiago Results in the Sinking of an American Boat The Merrimac, a Collier, Attempts to Force Passage Into \ the Harbor. She Is Struck by a Torpedo, and Goes Dowa Almost in an Instant. Number of Lives Lost Is Not Reportel— Eight Americans Are Made Prisoners. ' I ■’ . Claim Made That Merrimac Was Purposely Sent to Her Fate in Order to Blockade Harbor. Cape Haytien, Hayti, June I.—The American fleet, according to advices received by cable from Santiago de Cuba, the cable being under Spanish control, opened fire again at three o’clock Fri day morning on the fortifications and warships. The cannonade was well sustained until four o’clock a. m. One of the United States auxiliary cruisers “well armed” attempted to force the passage into the harbor. The Spanish allowed the cruiser to cross the first line c'f torpedoes, bun before she arrived at the second line they discharged at her a torpedo, which broke a great hole in her side and caused her to sink almost instantly, bow first. The name of the vessel is not known, nor is the number of victims reported. One officer, one engineer and six sailors were made prisoners by the Spaniards. Was the Collier Merrimac. A later dispatch from Santiago says that the vessel sunk is understood to be the Merrimac. Only the extremities of her funnel and two masts are visible above the water. Purposely Sent to Destruction. A still later dispatch from Santiago Bays it is believed that the Merrimac was sent into the neck of the harbor by Sampson for the purpose of closing the port and thus prevent the escape of the Spanish squadron. From information conveyed by the prisoners it is believed they volunteered for this dangerous work and that none perished. They were prepared for the explosion when it occurred. [The Santiago advices to Cape Haytien, In referring to the sunken vessel as an auxiliary cruiser, probably mistake her character. The Merrimac is and always has been a collier.] Spanish Batteries Silenced. Port au Prince, Hayti, June 4. —Friday morning the American squadron again began a bombardment of the fortifications of Santiago de Cuba, and a lively cannonade ensued for two hours, which silenced the Spanish batteries. An American vessel, the Merrimac, described in the advices from Santiago de Cuba as an auxiliary cruiser, making a dash to force the entrance succeeded in passing the first line of defenses, but was torpedoed about 500 feet up the channel. She went down “perpendicularly.” An officer, an engineer and six seamen were taken prisoners. Hie number of victims is unknown. Only the funnel and mastheads of the sunken vessel can be seen. There is great excitement in the city. A part of the population assisted in the fighting on the heights. Everybody is ed at the audacity of the American vessel. The American squadron was cruising all the while in the offing. Not a Spanish Victory. Washington, June 4. —The Washington Post says: There is absolutely no doubt in the minds of the naval officials In Washington that the sending of the collier into the harbor was all a pre-ar-ranged move o-n the part of Admiral Sampson. The use of a collier, the unusual hour of the morning, the necessity of blockading the channel so as to relieve some of the ships of the squadron from remaining stationed oil Santiago, the importance of discovering whether the mines were effective—all these reasons make it certain that the Merrimac was deliberately guided to her destruction. It was not a Spanish .victory. It was a cleverly arranged scheme on the part of the American admiral, and it was successful. The eight men in a Spanish prison are the real heroes of the war. If the Merrimac went in. under her own crew it is interesting to know that her complement of officers consisted of Commander J. M. Miller, Lieut. W. W. Gilmer, executive officer; Ensigns J. R. Y. Blakely and J. M. Luby, and Assistant Engineer R. K. Crank. Miller is from Missouri, Gilmer from Virginia, Blakely from Pennsylvania, Luby and Crank from Texas. It is expected that reports will be received to-day from Admiral Sampson. . The 111-Fated Merrimac. Baltimore, Md., June 4. —The Merrimac was purchased by the government from the Lone Star Steamship company. The tranafervwas made in this city early in April. She was formerly the Norwegian steamer Solveig, and was nearly destroyed by fire at Newport News in 1896. She was built at Newcastle, England, in 1894, was 330 feet long, 44 feet beam and had a net register of 2,193 tons. The Merrimac left Norfolk, where she was fitted for government purposes, about a month ago. Seeks for Peace. Washington, June 4.—ln diplomatic circles it is reported Spain has asked one of the European powers to make

overtures for peace. It is understood the president is willing to accept Puerto Rico in payment of the cost of war, while a naval station is to be maintained In the Philippines, and this country will help organize a republic in Cuba. Reenforcementa for Cervera. Kingston, Jamaica, June 2 (Delayed in transmission). —The correspondent here of the press has been informed, from an apparently authentic source, at Port Antonio, this island, that a Spanish fleet from Cadiz is nearing West Indian waters, and, should it arrive on the prearranged schedule, it will be off Santiago de Cuba Saturday, in order to reenforce the fleet of Admiral Cervera. The Spanish fleet is said to consist of 16 warships, among them being battleships and three torpedo boats. Says Cadis Fleet Has Sailed. Gibraltar, June 4. —It is announced here that the Spanish Cadiz squadron has sailed, but the date of its sailing was not mentioned nor was the destination of the warships given. Sail for Cuba. Washington, June 4. —Despite all denials, there is the very highest authority for the statement that troops to tfle number of 30,000 or 35,000 are now on the water ready to land at once at Santiago and at San Juan. The troops embarked Thursday and may have been halted at Key West. They went from some point on the southern coast, but Dot from Tampa.