The evening times., 1898-11-02

Lieut. Richmond T. Hobson, sinker of
the Merrimac and raiser OF the lnfanta
Maria Teresa. has returned TO New York,
after protracted seance with the Off
cials of the naval board or construction,
during which, according to reports, the
Young lieutenant and the oic members OF
the board developed a misunderstanding
not at all conducive TO the immediate
restoration OF the hulks OF the Spanish
war vessels now lying in varying depths
of salt sea water off the coast OF the
province of Santiago de Cuba.
The difference between the board and
the young lieutenant is purely one Of
opinion. Lieut. Hobson, although very
modest about il. thinks he can raise the
bottom Of the ocean to mountainous al
titude If he is provided with the means
Nherewith 10 purchase sufficient air bags
and artists 10 furnish the Sunday news
papers with Illustrations The board Of
construction while it does not wish 10
dash d frigid aquaeous couche on the
ambitions Of the young lieutenant, is not
50 sanguine. The board doel not doubt
that almost anything can be raised, but
il believes in seriously considering the
expense and probable profit of elevating
tendencies on the part OF IT'S subordinates
before il INDUCES in what may prove 10
he reckless extravaganza. Hence the
lack of q definite conclusion in the mind
of Lieut.. Hobson. when he left for New
York yesterday afternoon.
The impression should not go abroad
hat Lieut.. Hobson is at all forward.
Notwithstanding the fact that he has
been talked about written about and
somewhat promiscuolsly kissed by more
or less fascinating young ladies. he Is
sin very modest yoIns man. BIT, haN-
ing raised the lnfanta Maria Teresa from
her soggy bed on the muddy bottom Of
the old Atlantic, of Cuba's fever-strick-
en- coast, he has. seemingly, become inn
pressed with the idea thai everything
in that vicinity now below the Plim-
soil line. should be hoisted. He wants
10 raise the rest of The Spanish ships:
then he wants 10 bring the sunllen Mer-
rImac TO the surface and also the Reina
Mercedes sunk in Santiago harbor 10
book it, After that ne proposed 10 take
4 ;riai ~at the beautifully mingled re
mains Of the warship Maine the cause
OF all the trouble, now reposing on and
IN the mud Of Havana harbor.
Certain items OF expense which Lieut..
Robson deems trivial accompany these
suggestions. The Cristohal Colon he
says can be raised and taken TO New
York harbor for $500 oa9: 10 do that with
The Tizcaya VIII cost S01.00l less. He
asks that the contract with the wreck
ing company for the raising Of these TWO
vessels be ahrogated and that he be
given &eoO Oa0 with which to accomplish
the work after his own plans.
The Merr!mac he thinks. should be rails
ed. regardless Of her future usefulness.
She is NOW menace to navigation. living
~ she does in such a position 10 par
tiaIY block The entrance 20 the haTEoT of
Santiago DE Cuba and should be re-
moved by dynamite or other equally ef-
fe. live means The Reina Mercedes is
also an obstruction to The harbor. he says.
and should be removed in some way
Lieut.. Hobson says that the huli Of the
NizcaTa Is intact and that Il could be
raised with comparatively little trouble
10y the aid of a cOffer-dam. The Colon.
too. he believes. can be saved. The
Maria Teresa is on her way TO New York
Uuder her own steam he said 10 a Times
reporter yesterday Give us an oppOr-
iuniIy and We viii do the same with the
ofhsrs
The Young naval constructor Is an en-
thusiast rather than an egotist. In re-
felring 10 his work he never uses the pro-
noun II we" is his iuVaria bic eX-
preston when he refers to the work ac-
complished by himself and his assist
ants. He Is Very much Of an enthusiast.
however. and Is extremely anxious that
his projects should be carried out
The Naval Board Of Construction will
report upon the matter TO the Secretary
Of the NAVY !n few days. In the mean
time Lieut. Hobson will probably remain
In New York. Last night he, together
with Capt Rohley ID. Evans and several
other naval officers. were guests IF the
Uptown Association al a banquet in New
York city.