bor were
obstructed one or two ships would serve to prevent the Spaniards from
escaping, and the remainder of the American fleet would be released to
take part in more vigorous warfare. By sinking a vessel, an old
collier heavily laden, in the channel this could be accomplished, and
Hobson volunteered to perform the feat. It was an invitation to almost
certain death, for the fire of three batteries and part of the Spanish
fleet, besides the explosion of the mines, must be braved before the
narrow spot in which the ship was to be sunk could be reached. But
Hobson thought he could do this, scuttle his ship, and escape with his
men by swimming to a launch which should accompany him at a distance.

"Do you really expect to escape alive?" asked one of the officers as
he outlined his project.

"Ah! that is another thing," replied the lieutenant. "I suppose the
Estrella battery will fire down on us a bit, but the ships will throw
their searchlights in the gunners' faces and they won't see much of
us. Then, if we are torpedoed, we should even then be able to make the
desired position in the channel. It won't be so easy to hit us, and I
think the men should be able to swim to the dingey. I may jump before
I am blown up, but I don't see that it makes much difference what I
do. I have a fair chance of life either way. If our dingey gets shot
to pieces, we shall then try to swim for the beach right under Morro
Castle. We shall keep together at all hazards. Then we may be able to
make our way alongside, and perhaps get back to the ship. We shall
fight the sentries or a squad until the last, and we shall only
surrender to overwhelming numbers."

The plan being approved by the admiral, volunteers were asked from the
fleet, by signal, to accompany Hobson. Practically the whole fleet
responded. One man was wanted from each ship, but on the "Brooklyn"
150 and on the "Texas" 140 pleaded to be taken. Finally these seven
were selected:

Osborn Deignan, a coxswain of the "Merrimac"; George F. Phillips, a
machinist of the "Merrimac"; John Kelly, a water-tender of the
"Merrimac"; George Charette, a gunner's mate on the flagship "New
York"; Daniel Montague, a seaman of the cruiser "Brooklyn"; J. C.
Murphy, a coxswain of the "Iowa"; Randolph Clausen, a coxswain of the
"New York."

To man the launch which was detailed to follow the "Merrimac "--the
ship chosen--four men and Naval Cadet Joseph W. Powell were taken. In
the end they, too, pro