USS Merrimac
Collier · United States · Lost 1898 · Cuba & the Greater Antilles
Deliberately sunk by her own volunteer crew in a bold attempt to bottle up the Spanish fleet at Santiago de Cuba, and the only U.S. ship the Spanish Navy sank in the war.
The Vessel and Her Loss
USS Merrimac was a coal collier converted for a daring blockship mission devised by Naval Constructor Richmond Hobson. On the night of 2–3 June 1898, Hobson and seven volunteers steamed her into the narrow entrance of Santiago de Cuba harbor intending to scuttle her and trap Admiral Cervera's squadron inside. Spanish gunfire disabled her steering before she reached the planned position, and she sank without fully blocking the channel. Hobson and his crew survived and were taken prisoner.
Vessel
- 1894
- C.S. Swan & Hunter
- Wallsend, England
- Steel
- 330 ft
- 44 ft
- 3380
- Steam, single screw, triple-expansion
- United States Navy
Loss
- June 3, 1898
- Enemy action
- Entrance channel, Santiago de Cuba harbor
- Caribbean Sea
- Off Santiago de Cuba → Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance
- Not established
- 8
- 0
- Richmond Pearson Hobson
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Sunk in the harbor channel but did not fully block it
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- Not established
- Position not established
- Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance
Evidence
Overall confidence: Well documented (90/100)
Naval History and Heritage Command
Full mission narrative, dates, and outcome.
Spanish-American War Centennial Website
Crew roster and additional narrative detail.
