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Newspaper
Cincinnati Commercial Tribune
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Jun 05, 1898
Page
2
The article describes American ships maneuvering near Santiago de Cuba and engaging Spanish warships. Commodore Schley notes the Americans demonstrated ammunition and superior speed while the Cristobal Colon and other defenses reveal fortified batteries and torpedo tubes guarding the harbor. A Cuban pilot reports American fire disastrous to Spaniards and Morro Castle damage.
Kingston Jamaica June 4 Lieutenant Hobson carried out his plan to the smallest detail except escape. The rowboat was blown up or shot to pieces and the crew drifted ashore on an old catamaran slung over the ship. Prisoners were taken to Santiago then Morro Castle where they remain. Captain Oviedo declined further details of the capture. Hobson and his men are praised as brave.
The wartime report details Hobson and crew’s perilous launch into Santiago harbor. Navy officials debate the tactic’s success and the wreck’s impact on blocking the channel while contemplating Spanish defenses and future bombardment strategy.
Dispatch from Port au Prince reports the Merrimac was sunk by its own crew, not torpedoed by Spaniards, and the crew were captured by Admiral Cervera's forces. Details describe Hobson's rescue, explosions, and ongoing naval actions near Morro and Santiago Bay amid insurgent advances.
A special dispatch reports a carefully planned attack blocked by the three hundred foot wide Merrimac channel. Washington bureau notes the incident was learned from a reliable source and implies high stakes and official interest.
Naval Constructor Richmond Hobson, the young officer who volunteered to take the collier Merrimac into Santiago harbor, is celebrated for his bold action and is now a prisoner in Morro Castle. The article details his elite schooling, rapid rise, and the hopes he inspired in Navy circles as he led Cadets Eggert Powell and Duboys aboard Sampson's flagship.
Ensign John Russell Young Blakely of the Merrimac is reported captured by Spaniards at Santiago. He is a Philadelphian, son of John Blakely, publisher of the Evening Star, and was navigator aboard the Merrimac when war with Spain began.
All members of the Merrimac expedition are safe with only two slightly injured. Lieutenant Hobson unharmed. The men are prisoners of war. Admiral Cervera informed Rear Admiral Sampson of their escape and sent provisions and money to the prisoners.
Off Santiago de Cuba at 10 30 Friday night the American squadron resumed firing. Reports say three warships were detached from the fleet to convoy a fresh supply of ammunition and arms to Cuban forces. details are scarce.
An old advertisement for Dr. Klick promotes a inhalation cure for catarrh hay fever and asthma. It claims no stomach medicines are used and lists Klick Medical Co at 218 East Ninth Street city.
Commander James M. Miller of the Merrimac is reported sunk in Santiago Harbor. A Liberty, Missouri native, he served over thirty years in the Navy after being appointed midshipman in 1863 and became Commander last year after returning the Yantic from South American waters.
Washington June 4 officials announced an agreement in principle to exchange prisoners between Admiral Sampson and General Blanco with Admiral Cervera. American sailors Hobson and six others captured at Santiago would be traded for Spanish prisoners held at Atlanta. Negotiations proceed via British Consul Gollan in Havana and involve War Department coordination with the Navy. The president expressed sympathy for the sailors and urged early release.
Captain Sigsbee at the Navy Department extols the Merrimac mission led by Hobson and Robson. He notes the narrow harbor channel at Santiago and the bravery of the crew in blocking the harbor to trap the Spanish fleet. Commodore Schley and Admiral Sampson remain with coal reserves after the loss of the Merrimac.
Dispatch reports from June 4 describe cables binding Cuba to the outside world severed by a cable vessel near Santiago de Cuba. The Haiti and Commercial Cable companies had not been notified and continued accepting Cuba business, while Spanish coast towns face mobilization delays if U S troops land.
The Russian paper No voe Vremya says European sympathy supports Spain in the conflict with the United States but Spain’s position is almost hopeless. It adds Cuba is not worth Spain exhausting its resources to retain it.
In Tampa on June 4 a squad moved ammunition from a warehouse when smoke boiled from stacked boxes. Civil War veteran Thomas McGee reached the burning pile and tried to carry the box to safety as Lieutenant Parker joined him to wheel the smoking crate toward the river amid a chaotic scramble.
Dispatches from Santiago report heavy cannonading yesterday afternoon at Santiago de Cuba with extraordinary commotion. Spanish troops are concentrated at the fortifications in the suburbs and insurgents with American forces are said to be preparing a grand attack on the landward side.
In Vevay Indiana on June 4 the Republican County Convention selected delegates to the State and Congressional Conventions. Dr D N Hayden the County Committee chairman opened the meeting and Perry K Cotton was elected Chairman with D Hedden Baird as Secretary. The gathering was harmonious and enthusiastic.
A 19th century notice advertises 30 boxes of five gold dollars to readers who describe how coffee and Postum affected them. It invites letters detailing experiences with coffee, Postum, and methods to brew Postum, with answers from Battle Creek Michigan.
The article reports how Admiral Cervera is lauded as the Queen offers congratulations and the Senate praises his humanity for conduct during wartime.
London reports Madrid rejoicing as official telegrams praise Spanish actions at Santiago. The Channel blockage plan failed when a destroyer thwarted the Merrimac, which sank prematurely. A battleship rescued the crew, who were captured. Marine Minister Arnot lauds Spain for humane treatment of the sailors, contrasting with Yankee conduct.
An official note reports that at 8 30 yesterday morning an ironclad and an auxiliary cruiser attempted to force entry to Santiago. The batteries and torpedo catchers opened fire. The Merrimac was sunk and the ironclad driven back. A lieutenant and seven sailors were captured. The rest of Merrimac crew fate is unknown. No Spanish casualties or damage.
In Madrid on June 4 crowds rally over reports from Santiago de Cuba. Sagasta and Marine Minister Ammon told reporters the Americans aimed to block the channel, while Admiral Cervera allegedly moved his squadron to defend the entrance. The dispatch notes Cervera saved survivors after the Merrimac sank. Madrid cites Ordonez as the defense expert behind the fortress.
News from Cadiz reports the steamer Havel, sold by the North German Lloyd to the Spanish government, arrived safely and was taken to the arsenal. She is likely to be fitted with guns to serve as an auxiliary cruiser for the Spanish fleet.
The Spanish navy announces that at dawn one enemy cruiser tried to enter Santiago harbor. The Reina Mercedes and Morro defenses sank the Merrimac and repulsed another large cruiser. Reina Mercedes captured one lieutenant and seven sailors. fate of the rest unknown. The Queen Regent orders a congratulatory telegraph. Twenty American ships remain before Santiago.
A Cuban aboard theAP dispatch boat Wanda reports Spanish forces massing in eastern Cuba and moving 2000 troops from Sagua de Tanamo 1200 at Puerto del Pedro and 4000 at Gibara toward Holguin and Santiago de Cuba. He says insurgents are tightening around Holguin and de Tanamo as General Garcia rallies near Bayamo.
An advertisement proclaims Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription as the cure for nervousness and female disorders. It claims to strengthen delicate organs, stop drains, ease maternity pain, and aid weight gain, with testimonials and a mail-order offer for a medical book.
A report notes a Tant expedition landed at Cabinso two days earlier and is suspected to be the Florida expedition. The detail implies a linking arrival and possible origins.
Troops land as insurgent bands overlook from hills ready to strike the Spanish land forces. Garcia's scouts expect American troops soon and describe ideal high table land camps with pure water and fertile surroundings aiding sanitary conditions. Showers and vivid tropical weather mark the rainy season, while fires burnouts fade and nature heals the war ravages.
Lt. Whitney of the Fourth U S Artillery reports conditions around Ponce and San Juan in Puerto Rico. He notes Volunteer and regular forces, widespread discontent, unpaid troops, scarce food, and fears of Spanish withdrawal if the US does not occupy soon. He previously carried dispatches to General Gomez and led Cuban scouts against Spaniards near Sancti Spiritus.
Kingston Jamaica reports the steamer Altai logs four men of war near the island of Navassa off Haiti, believed to be the fleet sent for Cervera's relief. The US auxiliary cruiser Harvard is in port and two American warships are at Mole St. Nicholas, Haiti.
Navigation notices list North German Lloyd liners with departures from Southampton and Bremen on various dates. Entries name ships such as Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse and Prinz Regent Luitpold bound for Gibraltar Naples and Genoa with multiple departures in June and July.
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