ill stop the engines, scramble
up on deck, and get over the side as quickly as he is able. The man in the
engine-room will break open the sea connections with a sledge-hammer, and
will follow his leader into the water. This last step ensures the sinking
of the _Merrimac_ whether the torpedoes work or not. By this time I
calculate the six men will be in the dingy and the _Merrimac_ will have
swung athwart the channel, to the full length of her three hundred yards
of cable, which will have been paid out before the anchors are cut loose.
Then, all that is left for me is to touch the button. I shall stand on the
starboard side of the bridge. The explosion will throw the _Merrimac_ on
her starboard side. Nothing on this side of New York City will be able to
raise her after that."

In reply to frequent questions, Hobson said:

"I suppose the Estrella battery will fire down on us a bit, but the ships
will throw their search-lights in the gunners' faces, and they won't see
much of us. If we are torpedoed we should even then be able to make the
desired position in the channel. It won't be easy to hit us, and I think
the men should be able to swim to the dingy. 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 dingy 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 shall only surrender to overwhelming numbers, and our surrender
will only take place as a last and almost uncontemplated emergency."

The volunteers accepted for this most hazardous enterprise were, after
Lieutenant Hobson: George F. Phillips, machinist on the _Merrimac_;
Francis Kelly, water tender on the _Merrimac_; Randolph Clausen, coxswain
on the _New York_; George Charette, first-class gunner's mate on the _New
York_; Daniel Montague, first-class machinist on the _New York_; Osburn
Deignan, coxswain on the _Merrimac_; J. C. Murphy, coxswain on the _Iowa_.

_June 21._ At three o'clock in the morning the admiral and Flag Lieutenant
Staunton got into the launch to make an inspection of the _Merrimac_. The
working gangs were still on board of her, and the officers of the
flag-ship stood with their glasses focused on the big black hull that was
to form an impassable ob