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USS Merrimac (1898)
Encyclopedia
USS Merrimac was a steamship in the United States Navy
during the Spanish-American War
.
Merrimac was built by Swan & Hunter shipyard as SS Solveig in Wallsend
, England
, in November 1894. She was purchased by the US Navy in April 1898. Rear Admiral William T. Sampson
ordered her to be sunk as a blockship
at the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba
, in an attempt to trap the Spanish
fleet in the harbor. On the night of 2-3 June 1898, eight volunteers attempted to execute this mission, but Merrimacs steering gear was disabled by the fire of Spanish land-based howitzer
s. The American steamer was later sunk by the combined gunfire and the torpedoes of the protected cruiser
Vizcaya
, the unprotected cruiser Reina Mercedes
, and the destroyer
Pluton
without obstructing the harbor entrance. Her crewmen were rescued by the Spanish and made prisoners-of-war
. After the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
destroyed the Spanish fleet a month later, the men were released. All eight were awarded Medals of Honor
for their part in the mission.
The eight volunteer crewman of the Merrimac were:
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
.
Merrimac was built by Swan & Hunter shipyard as SS Solveig in Wallsend
Wallsend
Wallsend is an area in North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear, England. Wallsend derives its name as the location of the end of Hadrian's Wall. It has a population of 42,842.-Romans:...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in November 1894. She was purchased by the US Navy in April 1898. Rear Admiral William T. Sampson
William T. Sampson
William Thomas Sampson was a United States Navy rear admiral known for his victory in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War.-Biography:...
ordered her to be sunk as a blockship
Blockship
A blockship is a ship deliberately sunk to prevent a river, channel, or canal from being used.It may either be sunk by a navy defending the waterway to prevent the ingress of attacking enemy forces, as in the case of HMS Hood at Portland Harbour; or it may be brought by enemy raiders and used to...
at the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, in an attempt to trap the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
fleet in the harbor. On the night of 2-3 June 1898, eight volunteers attempted to execute this mission, but Merrimacs steering gear was disabled by the fire of Spanish land-based howitzer
Howitzer
A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...
s. The American steamer was later sunk by the combined gunfire and the torpedoes of the protected cruiser
Protected cruiser
The protected cruiser is a type of naval cruiser of the late 19th century, so known because its armoured deck offered protection for vital machine spaces from shrapnel caused by exploding shells above...
Vizcaya
Spanish cruiser Vizcaya
Vizcaya, was an Infanta Maria Teresa-class armored cruiser of the Spanish Navy that fought at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War.-Technical characteristics:...
, the unprotected cruiser Reina Mercedes
Spanish cruiser Reina Mercedes
Reina Mercedes, was an Alfonso XII-class unprotected cruiser of the Spanish Navy.During the Spanish-American War, Reina Mercedes was captured by the United States and later salvaged and commissioned into the U.S. Navy. For information about her characteristics and operational history in U.S...
, and the destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
Pluton
Spanish destroyer Pluton
Plutón, was an Audaz-class destroyer of the Spanish Navy that fought at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War.-Technical characteristics:...
without obstructing the harbor entrance. Her crewmen were rescued by the Spanish and made prisoners-of-war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
. After the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
Battle of Santiago de Cuba
The Battle of Santiago de Cuba, fought between Spain and the United States on 3 July 1898, was the largest naval engagement of the Spanish-American War and resulted in the destruction of the Spanish Navy's Caribbean Squadron.-Spanish Fleet:...
destroyed the Spanish fleet a month later, the men were released. All eight were awarded Medals of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for their part in the mission.
The eight volunteer crewman of the Merrimac were:
- Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson
- Coxswain Claus K. R. Clausen
- Coxswain Osborn W. Deignan
- Coxswain John E. MurphyJohn E. MurphyJohn Edward Murphy was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Spanish-American War.-Biography:...
- Chief Master-At-Arms Daniel MontagueDaniel Montague (Medal of Honor recipient)Daniel Montague was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Spanish-American War.-Military career:...
- Gunner's Mate First Class George Charette
- Machinist First Class George F. Phillips
- Watertender Francis KellyFrancis Kelly (Medal of Honor)Francis Kelly was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in the Spanish-American War.-Biography:...