Description:

RELIC OF THE SINKING OF THE MERRIMAC IN SANTIAGO HARBOR
A piece of the raft used by Lt. Richmond Hobson, and his crewmen, to escape after sinking the U.S.S. Merrimac in Santiago Harbor. In the early days of Spanish-American War, Hobson was with Admiral William T. Sampson in New York, and arrived off Santiago on June 1, 1898. In order to bottle up the Spanish squadron of Admiral Pascual Cervera y Topete, Hobson took temporary command of the collier Merrimac, which he would attempt to sink as an obstruction in the channel. The attempt was made early June 3, under heavy Spanish fire, which disabled the steering gear of the collier. Hobson did sink the Merrimac, but was unable to place her in the shallowest part of the channel. With his crew of six, he was picked up by Admiral Cervera himself and treated quite chivalrously. The relic, being a wooden piece from the raft, measures 1 3/4" x 5 1/4", and has a period tag affixed, which reads: Piece of Raft on wich (sic) Liut. R.P. Hobson and his crew Tried to escape After having Sank the Merimac (sic) to Block the Channel out of Santiago Harbor. SALVAGED by the crew of the U.S.S. Leonidas". An historic Spanish American War relic.

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December 8, 2011 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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