The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-12
HOBSoN'S GLORIOUS HER0lSM.
ADMIRAL SAMPSON ACCORDs HIM
UNSTINTED PRAISE.

Expresses Confidence That the Sec
retnry of the Navy VIII Ofrer Him
Suitable Professional Reward in
Line With the Inspiring Letter He
Addressed to the Officers and Men
at the beginning of the War.
Washington, June IA subject for an
official bulletin to-day, at the navy de-
partment, was Hohson's glorious feat in
bottling up the Spanish squadron with the
null OF the Merrimac. With the franlness
of candor and peculiar to the man, Adj
miral Sampson withheld no credit from
Lieut.. Hobson for either the execution
or projection of a well-worked out scheme
to which the constructor was entitled, and
he has cleared away the small cloud of
dissatisfaction that has shown itself
among a few line officers, because of the
selection of staff officer in the person
of Lieut.. Hobson to conduct the desperate
enterprise.
Reference was made in Admiral Samp-
sons statement to the inspiring letter"
of Secretary Long as a basis for the re-
quest for Lieut.. Hobson's promotion. With
the consent Of Secretary Long, the partic-
ular passage in the letter to which Ad
miral Sampson referred, is now made pub
lie. II read. Each man engaged in the
work of the in-shore squadron should have
in him the stuff out of which to make
possible Gushing; and if the man wins, the
recognition given him shall be as great as
that given Cushing. so far as the depart
ment can bring this about.
John D. Long, Secretary"
E1ObGO0 ha nh he &C
capes from his present thralldom, the navy
department will redeem its promise. A con-
sultation of the records of the navy de-
partment shows that the recognition ac-
corded Lieut.. Gushing was his advance
ment one fun grade, that is from the rank
of lieutenant, which he held when he took
his little boat up to the Albemarle, to the
rank of lieutenant commander. In addition
he was given vote of thanks by Congress.
If Lieut.. Hobson is rewarded in the same
measure he will, IL kept in his corps, be
raised to the rank of lieutenant commander
at least, and made a full constructor in
stead of an assistant constructor, which
he now Is.
Following is the official report from Ad-
miral Sampson:
United States Flagship New York, off
Santiago June g. 1S98.-Permit me to call
your special attention to Assistant Naval
Constructor Hobson.
coming here l decided to make the harbor
entrance secure against the possibility of
egress by Spanish ships by obstructing the
narrow part OF the entrance by sinking
collier at that point
Upon calling upon Mr.. Hohson for his
professional opinion as to a sure method
of sinking the ship, he manifested the
most lively interest in the problem.
After several days consideration he pre-
sented a solution, which he considered
would insure the immediate sinking of the
ship when she reached the desired point in
the channel
This plan we prepared for execution
when We reached Santiago. The plan con-
templated crew of only seven men and
Mr.. Hobson, who begged that 1t might be
entrusted to him.
THE anchor chains were arranged on
deck for both the anchors, forward and
aft, the plan including the anehoring of
the ship almost automatically.
''As soon as I reached Santiago and I
had the collier to work upon the details,
were completed and diligently prosecuted,
hoping to complete them in one day as
the moon and tide served best the first
night after our arrival.
Notwithstanding every effort the hour
of o'clock in the morning arrived and
the preparations were scarcely completed.
After a careful inspection of the final
preparations, L was lOtCSd ~ IGlltl4uiou
the plan for that morning as dawn was
breaking. Mr.. Hobson begged to try it at
all hazards.
This morning proved more propitious,
as a prompt start could be made.
Nothing could have been more valiant
ly executed.
eve waited impatiently after the firing
by the Spaniards had ceased.
''When they did not reappear from the
harbor at o'clock l feared that they had
all perished.
"a steam launch, which had been sent
In charge of Naval Cadet Powell to res
cue the men, appeared at this time, COM
ing out from under persistent fire of the
batteries, but brought none of the crew.
"A careful inspection Of the harbor from
this ship showed that the Merrimac had
been sunk in the channel.
"This afternoon the chief of staff of Ad-
miral Cervera came out under a flag of
truce with a letter from the admiral, ex-
toling the bravery of the crew in an un-
usual manner.
Il cannot myself too earnestly express
my appreciation of the conduct of Mr..
HobsOn and his gallant crew. 1 venture
to say that a more brave and daring thing
has not been done since Gushing blew up
the Albemarle.
Referring to The inspiring letter which
you addressed to the officers at the be-
offer a suitable professional reward to Mr..
Bobson and his companions.
"I must add. that Commander ]. NJ.
Miller relnqdished his command with the
very greatest reluctance, believing he
should retain command under all circum-
stances.
"He was, however, finally convinced that
the attempt Of another person TO carry out
the multitude of details which had been
in preparation by MIR. Hobson might en-
danger its proper execution. I, therefore,
took the liberty to relieve him for this rea-
son only
There were hundreds of volunteers.
who were anxious to participate; there
were $50 from the Iowa, nearly as many
from this ship and large numbers from
all the other ships, officers and men alike.
wv. T. Sampson"
HOBsON AND HIs MEN WELL.