Hobson at Santiago. During the Spanish-American War of 1898 the existence of the Spanish cruiser fleet; although closely blockaded in the port of Santiago in Cuba; was causing some concern; and it was thought to be safer to bottle them in completely. In the narrow channel a single collier was sufficient for this; the Merrimac being selected and put in charge of an officer named Hobson; with instructions to scuttle her in the exact spot. It was a dangerous; almost suicidal; task and it failed when the ship was mined by the Spaniards long before she reached position. The crew however; were saved; Hobson being taken out of the water by the Spanish Admiral himself. Illustration for one of a set of 50 cigarette cards on the subject of Sea Adventure; issued by Hignett Brothers in 1939.