HEROES OF THE MERRIMAC AND CORTLAND BASEBALL

Merrimac.

Lt. Richmond P. Hobson.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, June 6, 1898.

HEROES OF THE MERRIMAC.
Names That Will Live Long in Naval History.

FACED ALMOST SURE DEATH.

Lieutenant Hobson and His Brave Crew of Seven Men.

   PORT ANTONIO, Jamaica, June 6.—By one of the most brilliant exploits in naval annals the cork has been driven  into the bottle of Santiago de Cuba and the Spanish fleet could not be more secure were the entrance to that harbor doored, barred and double-locked and the key dropped into the bottomless depth of the sea.

   Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson of the flagship New York, with a volunteer crew of seven men under cover of darkness after the moon had set, shortly after 3 o'clock Friday morning, ran the big collier Merrimac into the throat of the harbor, swung her broadside to across the channel and then and sank her. He succeeded in his desperate enterprise under the fires of the batteries and forts which guard the entrance, without support from the fleet.

   Ensign Powell, also of the New York, with a steam launch crept close under the guns of Morro castle to take off the heroes of the Merrimac and remained there pluckily until daylight discovered his position, without seeing a trace of the Merrimac's daring crew. To have remained longer would have been sheer madness. As it was he retired under a heavy fire from Mauser rifles and the heavy guns of the batteries.

   Lieutenant Hobson and his men are now prisoners, as a flag of truce announces and will be exchanged in due course of time; but that their mission was successful, admits of no doubt. Ensign Powell distinctly saw the spars of the ship in the middle of the channel. Lieutenant Hobson planted her at the very point he had selected.

   Cushing's memorable feat in blowing up the Confederate ram Albemarle is overmatched by Hobson's act, for Cushing's men crept up Albemarle sound at midnight and fell upon an unsuspecting foe. Hobson took his ship, over 300 feet long, into the very focus of a dozen batteries with the enemy at the guns and blew her up. Discovery at the end of his journey was inevitable and death was almost certain. No name, therefore, can be written higher on war's Temple of Fame than this.

   Like Cushing's deed, Hobson's desperate undertaking was conceived by him who executed it. When Rear Admiral Sampson joined Commodore Schley on Wednesday, the latter had already ascertained that it would be impossible for the fleet to crawl into the rat hole in which the Spanish fleet had taken refuge. The mines across the entrance and the batteries which commanded it made the mere contemplation of it an act of folly.

   Commodore Schley was inclined to think the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius might be able to countermine; but the ships would have to go in single file and if one were sunk in the channel the progress of the others would be blocked.

ALL WERE SAVED.

Lieutenant Hobson and His Crew Prisoners but Will Be Exchanged.

   Under these circumstances one can imagine the immense feeling of satisfaction experienced when it became known that Hobson and the crew of the Merrimac was safe. Later in the day a boat with a white flag put out from the harbor and Captain Oviedo, the chief of staff of Admiral Cervera, boarded the New York and informed the admiral that the whole party had been captured and that only two of the heroes were injured. Lieutenant Hobson was not hurt. It appears that the Spanish admiral was so struck with the courage of the Merrimac's crew that he decided to inform Admiral Sampson that they had not lost their lives, but were prisoners of war and could be exchanged.

   The dingy portion of the program does not appear to have been carried out which lead to the belief that she may have been smashed by a shot, for it seems Hobson and his men drifted ashore on an old catamaran which had been slung over the side at the last moment as an extra precaution. They were captured and sent to Santiago under guard, previous to being transferred to Morro Castle where they are now understood to be confined.

   Money and provisions were sent to the prisoners through Captain Oviedo and it is believed Rear Admiral Sampson is taking the steps necessary to bring about their exchange. The fleet is in a state of delighted enthusiasm and the admiral is just as happy as the youngest sailor. The general opinion is that no man ever deserved recognition for personal bravery more than does Lieutenant Hobson.

INSIDE THE BLOCKADE.

HAVANA THINKS IT CAN HOLD OUT INDEFINITELY.

But the Common People Think Differently—Charges That Moret Has Sold

Cuba to the United States—Rioting Feared as Food Becomes More Scarce—Fears of Bombardment.

(Copyright, 1898, The Associated Press.)

   HAVANA, May 25, via VERA CRUZ, Mexico, May 30.—The news of the arrival at Santiago de Cuba of what is known here as the first division of the Spanish fleet has considerably lightened the hearts of the Spaniards and the news has been received with great rejoicing.

   Havana and the rest of the island of Cuba, so far as heard from, is officially pronounced to be entirely quiet.  Preparations for defense are being pushed night and day and work is going on without ceasing on the fortifications all over the island. The Spanish officials here claim that if 50,000 men were needed to attack Havana by land and sea when the war broke out, at least 100,000 men will be required now, in view of the new and strengthened fortifications, and also because the so-called "cultivation zone" has been extended to Rincon, Calabara, Bejucal, which are inside of the line of defenses now. This will, it is asserted, support the inhabitants with food for a long time to come.

   In spite of this outwardly cheerful aspect of affairs bitterly anxious feelings exist. People go so far as to charge Senor Moret, the former minister of the colonies of Spain, of being a traitor and of having "sold Cuba to the United States." This causes discontent to prevail and, if the Spanish fleet does not arrive here before food becomes really scarce, terrible rioting may be reported.

   There are hardly any business transactions and the city looks very lonesome, there are so few people on the streets. The families remain at home, excepting when the sound of a gun from one of the forts causes the people to rush to the windows or into the streets to see if the American fleet is approaching.

   The Spaniards comment continually upon the tactics of the American fleet, and naturally they are very severe in their criticisms, for they do not understand the method of warfare adopted. Many of them go so far as to say the United States is not prepared for war, that no plans have been decided upon and that the authorities at Washington are not serious in the steps taken.

   Indeed, the Spanish military and naval authorities are beginning to nurse themselves with the belief that the naval and military power of the United States has been exaggerated by the newspapers and they are applauding themselves with the idea that Spain is showing herself able to fight such a giant as the United States.

   Advices from Caibarien and other towns show that a scarcity of provisions exists, and Puerto Principe reports that many families have left that city for the country districts.

   Were it not that the city is blockaded, people would hardly be aware that war was in progress, at least so far as the western provinces of Cuba are concerned. The inactivity of the insurgents, in view of the concentration of the Spanish troops in the coast towns, cannot be accounted for by the Spanish commanders.

   The main point of interest here at present is as to when and where the

American troops will effect a landing in Cuba, though the Spaniards pronounce themselves confident of being able to repel any invasion.

   Eggs, cornmeal and flour are becoming more scarce in Havana and the prices of all articles of food are doubling, though very many families have left Havana and large numbers of houses are to let. Now you often find ten or twelve persons living in a single room. The rents of houses have increased. Nearly all those about the bay and along the seashore, from La Punta to San Lazario and the suburbs of Vedado and Carmelo are unoccupied, their former occupants being in fear of bombardment.

   At Esperanza a rich coal mine has been discovered. It is to be immediately worked for navy purposes. There is still considerable coal in Havana. The gas company is using very little coal at present and only absolute necessary lights are used. All the stores and business houses are without gaslight and the state of semi-darkness into which the streets are thrown gives Havana quite a weird appearance at night.

NOW IN FOURTH PLACE.

CORTLAND TEAM PLACED THERE BY DEFEATING LYONS.

And Auburn Was Kind Enough to Best Palmyra Saturday.

   The beginning of the week sees the Cortland team occupying the fourth round in the state league ladder by a lead of thirty points over the next below, and all of this is refreshing to the admirers of the Cortland team. If they go one higher or even occupy the same position next Monday morning, it will be even more refreshing. Cortland won from Lyons on Saturday on the home grounds by superior batting and fielding. Rome won at Utica in a close and exciting game. Canandaigua had lots of fun with the starchmakers at Oswego by pounding Colliflower all over the lot sixteen times, included in which were three two-baggers. Auburn whitewashed Palmyra, touching up Gillon for sixteen hits, while Kennedy's men only connected four times with Eason's curves. Lyons and Utica played a postponed game at Utica Sunday, and the Pent Up men won. Auburn and Canandaigua played an exhibition game at Geneva Sunday, Auburn winning 6 to 5.

   The Lyons from the town of Lyons found themselves securely entrapped in Cortland Saturday by the men known as the baseball players of Cortland. It did not prove to be a very difficult job, though the visitors resisted stubbornly for five innings. Villman of Syracuse fame, who had not been beaten in a State League contest, found that he had to face some men who understood how to wield the willow, and could win a game of ball even against a team "that makes no errors, as is said to have been claimed by a certain manager.

   The first five innings of Saturday's contest made a pretty exhibition, but in the sixth, the local men landed against Villman's curves with such force and effect that when the visitors had wiped the dust from their eyes, and had put out three men, there were five little scores added to Cortland's run column. In this inning five singles were made, and the visitors errorred three times, and the Cortlands ran bases well. Excepting in this inning there was not much excitement, but just to clinch the victory, Cortland made two runs in the eighth and a couple more in the last.

   It was in the fourth inning when a rank decision by Umpire McNamara brought him into some disfavor. Friel was on first, and had ventured far enough toward second so that Catcher Moran threw the ball to first to catch him. It was evident to every one [sic] on the grounds, except the umpire, that the Lyons first baseman dropped the ball, and quickly picking it up touched Friel, but plainly not until the batter had touched the base. The umpire called him out. It was so plain that the runner was safe that the umpire was quite loudly hissed. It may be that Umpire McNamara saw his mistake, but having once rendered his decision did not want to establish a precedent by changing it.    The playing of the Cortlands on Saturday demonstrated one thing, and that is that they are capable of good and effective team work. They were aggressive, and it is well-known that this characteristic has won a good many ball games. Kalkhoff is a good man behind the bat, and his batting is also good. Shaffer, the new first baseman, did not arrive in time for Saturday's game, but reached Cortland Saturday afternoon, and is ready for business. He looks like a good player. Gildea's pitching Saturday is deserving of favorable comment. He was steady as a clock, and his assortment of shoots, in and out, up and down, was a puzzle to the Lyons men who were unable to connect safely only on separate and non-consecutive occasions. Score:

BREVITIES.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—T. P. Bristol, Dashing Hats, page 4.

   —The regular meeting of Grover Relief corps will occur top-morrow, June 7, at 2:30 P. M.

   —The tennis tournament has been postponed one day, and will open on Tuesday, June 7.

   —Every officer of Grover post, No. 98, Grand Army of the Republic, is requested to be present at the regular meeting to-night.

   —The village trustees will hold an important meeting this evening, when it is expected that a paving engineer will be appointed.

   —A jury in Justice Dowd's court Saturday rendered a verdict of no cause of action in the case of F. E. Keeler against Benjamin Oliver. L. H. Gallagher for plaintiff, James Dougherty for defendant.

   —Caleb J. Carpenter, aged 70 years, died at 9 o'clock last evening at his home, 72 Groton-ave., from heart difficulty with which he had been troubled several years. The funeral services will be held from the house at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning. Burial at Preble.