[Sidenote: The _Oregon's_ voyage.] 477. The Oregon's Great Voyage.--When the _Maine_ was destroyed, the _Oregon_ was at Puget Sound on the northwest coast. She was at once ordered to sail to the Atlantic coast at her utmost speed. Steadily the great battleship sped southward along the Pacific coast of North America, Central America, and South America. She passed through Magellan Straits and made her way up the eastern coast of South America. As she approached the West Indies, it was feared that she might meet the whole Spanish fleet. But she never sighted them. She reached Florida in splendid condition and at once joined Sampson's squadron. [Sidenote: Santiago.] [Sidenote: Sinking of the _Merrimac_] 478. The Blockade of the Spanish Fleet.--Santiago harbor seemed to have been designed as a place of refuge for a hard-pressed fleet. Its narrow winding entrance was guarded by huge mountains strongly fortified. The channel between these mountains was filled with mines and torpedoes. The American fleet could not go in. The Spanish fleet must not be allowed to come out unseen. Lieutenant Hobson was ordered to take the collier _Merrimac_ into the narrow entrance and sink her across the channel at the narrowest part. He made the most careful preparations. But the _Merrimac_ was disabled and drifted by the narrowest part of the channel before she sank. The Spanish admiral was so impressed by the heroism of this attempt that he sent a boat off to the American squadron to assure them that Hobson and his six brave companions were safe. [Sidenote: Destruction of the Spanish Fleet.] [Sidenote: Lessons of the victory.]