 USS Merrimac |
|
| Career |
 |
|---|---|
| Name: | 1894: Solveig 1897: Merrimac |
| Namesake: | Merrimack River |
| Port of registry: | 1894: 
Norway1897:  United
States |
| Builder: | Swan & Hunter, Wallsend |
| Yard number: | 194 |
| Completed: | November 1894 (as Solveig) |
| Acquired: | 12 April 1898 |
| Commissioned: | 11 April 1898 |
| Fate: | scuttled, 2 June 1898 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | steamship |
| Displacement: | 3,362 long tons (3,416 t) |
| Length: | 322 ft 9 in (98.37 m) |
| Beam: | 44 ft 2 in (13.46 m) |
| Depth: | 27 ft 3 in (8.31 m) |
| Propulsion: | 1 × triple-expansion steam engine |
USS Merrimac was a steamship in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War.
Merrimac was built as Solveig in 1894, and purchased by the 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 Merrimac's steering gear was disabled by enemy gunfire and she sank 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:
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 |
 |
  | US People - Montague, Daniel, Chief Boatswain - US People--Montague, Daniel, Chief Boatswain |
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