The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-28
HON0RlNC THE BRAVE
President Sent Messages to Con-
gress Anent Four Naval Heroes
HOBS0N, NEWC0MB, H0DGS0N. POWELL
Asked Consent to Transfer Hobson
to the Line.
CADET HOWELL AN ENSIGN.
Gold Medal for Newcomb, silver for
His Officers, Bronze for His Crew.
HOdgson's Reward.
CADET HOWELL AN ENSIGN.

Washington June 27.--The president to-
day sent the following message to con-
gress
ION the morning Of June g. 1898. Assist
ant Naval Constructor Richard p. Hob
son. United States navy, with volunteer
crew OF seven men. in charge of the partly
dsmantled collier Merrimac. entered the
fortified harbor of Santiago de Cuba for
the purpose of sinking the collier in the
narrowest portion of the channel and thus
interposing serious obstacle TO the egress
of the Spanish feet which had recently en-
tered the harbor.
THE enterprise, demanding GOODNESS,
judgment, bravery and heroism, was car
ried into execution in the face of per-
sistent lire from the hostile fleet and as
well from the Notifications on shore.
Admiral sampson, commander in chief
of our naval forces in those waters, IN an
official report, dated of Santiago de Cuba,
June 3. 1898. and addressed to the secretary
of Inc navy, referring 10 Mr.. Hooson's gal
innt exploit, says.
"'As stated in recent telegram, before
coming here | decided to make the harbor
entrance secure against the possibility of
egress Of the Spanish ships by ohstructing
the narrow point OF entrance by sinking a
collier at that point. Upon calling upon
Mr.. Hobson Tor his professional method as
to IL sure method OF sinking the ship he
manifested a most lively interest in the
problem and after several days consider
alton he presented q solution which he
considered would insure the sinking of the
ship when she had reached the desired
point in the G. annel.
"f The plan contemplated crew
Of only seven men and Mr. Hobson begged
that 1t might be entrusted to him.
. AS soon as | reached Santiago and had
ule collier to work on, the details were
commenced and diligently prosecuted, hop
ing 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 morn
| ing came and the preparations were hardly
completed. After a careful inspection OF
the final preparations, was forced to re-
| linQuish the plan for that morning as
dawn was breaking Mr.. Ho5son begged
| to try it at all hazards
This morning proved more propitlous,
| as prompt start could be made. Nothing
| could have been more gaiiantly cxecut-
ed. A careful inspection
| of the harbor from the ship showed that
| the Merrimac had been sunk In the chan
mel | can not myself too earnestly ex-
press my appreciation of the conduct OF
l
the honor to say more brave and daring
act has not been done since Cushing blew
up the Albemarle
THE members of the crew who were
with Mr. Hobson on this memorable ooca-
sion have already been rewarded for their !
services by advancement, which, under |
the provisions OF the law and regulation |
he secretary of the navy is authorized to
make, and the recommendation to the SEN |
ate Of Naval Cadet Howell who in a steam
launch followed the Merrimac on her
perilloNs trip for the purpose OF rescuing
her crew after the sinking OF the vessel
TO he advanced In rank TO the grade of
ensign. has been PREPARED and will be
submitted
Gushing, With whose gallant act In blow
iLg up the Albemarle during the civil war. |
Admiral Sampson compares Mr.. Hobsou's |
sinking of the Merrimac. perceived the |
thanks OF congress upon recommendation
OF the president by name. and was In con-
sequence under the provisions OF section
$40 OF the revised statutes advanced one |
grade, such advancement embracing fifty |
six numbers
The section cited applies, however, to |
line OFFICERS only. and MIR. Hobson, being |
member OF the stan Of the navy could not |
under its provisions he so advanced
In considering the question of suitably |
rewarding Assistant Naval Constructor |
Hobson for his valiant conduct on the occa- |
sion referred to, have deemed It proper |
TO address this message 20 congress with |
tue recommendation that thanks OF congress |
be extended, and further that he be trans- |
terred 10 the line of the navy and promoted |
10 such position therein as the president. |
ny ana with the advice and consent OF the |
senate, may determine
Mr.. Hobson's transfer from the construc |
tion corps TO the line, will not be an unde- I
served promotion, for ne has ali the neces- |
sary training for such duties
William Mckinley
Executive Mansion, June 81. 1895"
A second message was as follows:
10 the Congress of the United States:
on the 18th day OF May 1925, there a..
S c conflict in the bay OF Cardenas. I
vnoa in which the naval torpedo boat |
wiasiow was disabled. her commander
wounded and one of her officers and a part
OF ner crew killed by the cnsmy's Ars.
=. IN the FACE Of most CALLING frc from
10 ensmcs guns tie revenue OUTER HUI |