THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 3i6 Merrimac, on which they might take refuge, and that a torpedo boat or steam launch should try to run in and bring them out.

He fitted a row of ten small torpedoes,each charged with 82 pounds of gunpowder, along the port side of the steamer. These were wired and connected electrically with a battery on the deck. He was to have six assistants, four on deck and two below. He had chosen a point just bevond the Estrella battery as the place where the ship was to be sunk. The rest of self-possessed, he wascertain to do some splendid work if the chance offered. The spirit in which he embarked for the war is reflected in the words he wrote to his oldhome:" For my near and distant future, Ileave myself, without anxiety, in the hands of Almighty God."

Such was the man who nowoffered to venture himself upon an enterprise that meant all but certain death to those engaged in it. His plan was to take the Merrimac (a large " tramp" steamer, attached to the fleet as a collier) into LIEUTENANT HOFSON.

the harbourentrance,lay her across its narrowest part, and sink her there so as to close the pass withaniron gate. To use his own morefamiliar phrase, the harbour of Santiago was bottleshaped,andhe meant to put a cork in the neck of the bottle. To do this he had to face the fire of the enemy's fleet and batteries,and run the risk of the exploding mines, and he andhis comrades had to chance being shot, blown up, or drowned during and after their exploit, for to get away would be no easy matter. He arranged that, in order to minimise the risks, very few men should go with him ; that they should all be lightly dressed, ready for a swim ; that a small boat should be towed behind the the plan may best be told as Hobson explained before he started from the flagship. "Ishall go right into the harbour until about four hundred yards past the Estrella battery, which is behindMono Castle. 1do not think they can sink me beforeIreach somewhere near that point. The Merrimac has seven thousand tons buoyancy, andIshall keep her full speed ahead. She can make about ten knots. When the narrowest part of the channel is reached I shallput her helm hard aport, stop the engines, drop the anchors, open the sea connections, touch off the torpedoes, and leave the Y ■ a wreck lyingathwart the channel, which is not as broad as the Merrimac is long. On deck