June 3d the auxiliary cruiser St. Paul returned to New York, after a two weeks' cruise in West Indian waters; she had been detailed for guard and scout duty, and was one of the first to discover the Spanish fleet in Santiago Bay. She left Key West May 18th, and arrived off Santiago about the 20th. The St. Louis had been detailed for similar service, and had been watching Santiago harbor with the expectation that the Spanish vessels would attempt to enter there; she, however, left on the 19th. It is supposed that Admiral Cervera must have entered the harbor in the twenty-four hours between this date and that of the arrival of the St. Paul.
As it was advisable that her whereabouts should not be discovered to the Spaniards, the St. Paul cruised backward and forward about twenty miles out; she kept this distance off shore in order that the Spanish torpedo-boats might not make a dash out of the harbor in the darkness and torpedo her. It was not until the 23d that anything was seen of the Spaniards. Captain Sigsbee is quite confident that on this date he identified the Vizcaya, the Christopher Colon, and several torpedo-boat destroyers within the harbor; they were evidently making preparations for departure, but were too late, as our fleet under Commodore Schley reached the harbor before they could get away.
The only excitement that the St. Paul had was the capture of the collier Restormel. The vessel was sighted very early one morning about five miles from the harbor entrance, running with all speed to obtain the protection of the batteries on shore. The St. Paul was too quick for her; crowding on all steam, the collier was soon overtaken and stopped by a solid shot fired across her bows. A prize crew was put on board and the vessel sent to Key West.
The St. Paul is off again; her destination is, however, a secret.
Another "great victory" was reported by the Spaniards on June 4th. In the despatch from Madrid it was stated that one of our most powerful vessels attempted to enter the harbor of Santiago de Cuba and had been blown up by a torpedo and sunk, her crew of six men and one officer being captured. There was something very inconsistent about the statement "most powerful vessel" with a crew of six men and one officer, but apparently the Spaniards overlooked this. The fact of the matter is that Admiral Sampson decided to close the harbor effectually, and in order to do this sent the collier Merrimac to the entrance of the channel and had her sunk there.
This brilliant exploit was planned by a young officer, Lieut. Richmond Pearson Hobson, who with seven volunteers carried it out in a most gallant way.
At this distance and without experience of the fearful effect of modern gunnery, we cannot appreciate what a dangerous errand these brave men undertook. To sail close under the guns of many batteries and forts, through a narrow channel known to be mined, was to face death, and almost sure death—an act which will make their names famous. Yet when volunteers were called for, every man stepped forward and begged to be taken.
At three o'clock Friday morning the Merrimac started. In the darkness she succeeded in getting well in shore before she was discovered; then shot and shell made the water white with spray all around her. But the brave fellows never flinched, and on they sailed until the narrowest part of the channel was reached. Down went the anchor, and soon a dull report in her hold told of the successful explosion of the torpedo which was to blow her bottom out and make her sinking certain.
The crew left and succeeded in clearing the vessel before she went down. But two are reported to have been wounded, and these but slightly. All were captured and taken to Morro Castle.
The great bravery of the gallant fellows was recognized by Admiral Cervera and he sent a boat with a flag of truce to advise Admiral Sampson that the men were safe and would be exchanged. This act of the Spanish admiral has won for him a feeling of great admiration in this country. It was the act of a noble man.