ved to be heroes.

The steel steamer "Merrimac," loaded with 2,000 tons of coal, was then
given to Hobson and prepared for sinking. An eye-witness, who followed
the "Merrimac" as nearly as safety would permit, thus tells the story
in the New York _Sun_:

"Cadet Powell and his crew saw the 'Merrimac' head straight for
Estrella Point, which is on the east side of the harbor, back of
the Morro. They knew that just before she reached that point the
engines were to be stopped and the momentum allowed to carry her
on. Then the flimsy wooden props holding the bonnets of her
sea-valves in place were to be kicked aside, the helm put hard to
starboard, and the starboard bower anchor let go. This would
steer the ship directly across the channel and check her headway.

"At the same time seven reduced eight-inch charges, containing
eighty pounds of brown powder in copper cases and protected by
pitch from water, were to be set off separately. These charges
were suspended about ten feet below the water-line at intervals
of thirty feet, and connected by a series of dry batteries. As
the ship steered across the channel the forward port powder
charge was to be exploded. Then, as the stern swung into
position, the anchor lashed on the starboard quarter was to be
let go and the other six charges exploded in succession. A
catamaran and lifeboat were slung aft on the starboard side ready
for the seven men to drop into them.

"The crew in the steam launch watched the course of the old
collier with eyes strained. The moon had sunk behind the horizon.
It was 3.20 o'clock. On, on the heroes went. Lieutenant Hobson
stood on the bridge of the old collier, dressed in full uniform.
The other six men were at their posts, clad in tights, to aid
their escape in case they had to swim a long distance.

"The watchers saw her head straight for Estrella Point, saw her
swing hard across the channel, apparently undiscovered, heard
five of the seven charges explode, and then began a screaming,
flashing, death-dealing fire from the Spanish ships and batteries
that hid the rest from view.

"The battery on Dead Man's Point, square in the center of the
harbor, opened the fire and soon directed its guns against the
launch. In the face of this hell, with ten-and twelve-inch guns
blazing at th