New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-28
NAVAL HEROES HONORED.
REWARD FOR HOBSON. POWELL. THE
HUDSON'S MEN AND CAP
TAIN HODGSDON

Naval Constructor Richmond p. HObsOn,
l. : y. with volunteer crew OF seven men III
charge Of the partially dismantled collier Mel-
rimac, entered the fortified harbor or santiago
cuba. for the purpose of sinking the collier III
tn narrowest portion Of the channel. ana thus
i,faru0sing Il serious obstacle to the egress or
The spanish feet which had recently entered
that harbOr. This enterprise. demanding cool
r4Ss Judgment and bravery amounting TO nero
ism MAS carried into successful execution IN
the face Of a persistent fire from the hostile
fc,t as we'll as from the fortifioations on sh)re.
Kear-Admira Sampson, commander-lh-chle
of our naval force III Cuban waters. in an or
tciaI report dated of Santiago de CUBA. June
= 1898 and addressed to the Secretary or the
Navy, referring to Mr. Hobsons gaHaht exploit
says
As stated in recent telegram before coming
hrs / decided to make the harbor entrance Sc
n,le apsnst me possibility Of egrcss of the Span
isn ships by obstructne the narrow part or me
ss UPON ey ? Mr 6bson D tOr his
ion e. to 'r most s yes nj the
Alter several days consideration he presehtedi a
mediate sinking of the ship when she had reached
the decided point in me cHann exe men and Mr
Ho6son who begged that it might be intrusted to
MN, as soon as l reached Santiago and had the col;
Her TO work upon. the details were begun ana
dstn as the moon and TIDE served best the nrst
rlght after our arrivaI Notwtns'AnunS go eryyved
i2Ii ia S prepaTatons were scarcey c9mpstsd
was Forced rnquish the plan for that n m0En;
INK as dawn was breaking MT hooson pesseo
98e s5@$s SdS"s sS4. Tx k
specton Of the harbor from this ship sho%ed thA'
cannot myself too earnestly express my apPl pre-
cation OF the conduct OF M hooson ana hiS ga
AMI daring thing has not been done since Cush-
ing blew up the Albemarle'
The members Of the crew who were with Mr.
IohsOn on this memorable occasion nave al
rradv been rewarded for their services by ad-
vancement which under the provisions OF law
authorized to make, and the domination TO the
senate Of Naval Cadet Powell. who III steam
launch. followed the Merrimac on her perhots
trip for the purpose Of rescuing her iOrce ai'eI
me sinking IF that vessel, 10 be advanced III
rank 10 the grade Of ensign has been prepared
and will be submitted ,,
UP the ram Albemarle during the Civil war
Admiral Sampson compares Mr.. Hoosons SINK
Ing of The Merrmac, received the THANKS OF
Congress upon recommendation Of the Pres
dent by name and was in consequence; uhoes
the provisions of Section LOUIS or the helseu
Statutes. advanced one grade sucn auVd,! t
rnent embracing hfty-siX numbers. me seCtiol,
cited applies. however. to line officers oniH, anu
Mir Hobson, being member OF the stan OF 'ile
NAVY could not under It's provisions Ne 50
In considering the question Of suitably re-
U.arding Assistant Naval Constructor HObson
for his valiant conduct on the occasion IeieItSu
to- l have deemed it proper to address this Ies
sage to you. with the recomnenoauSn t smat me
receive the thanks OF Congress ana, lu.tnei,
mat he be transferred TO the line or the Navy
and promoted 10 such position therein as the
President by ana with the advice ana consent
=, ~ senate NAV determine. Mr.. Hobsons
transfer from the Construction Corps 70 the
line is fully warranted. ne having received 'e
necessary technical training as Il graduate Oh
the Naval Academy. where ne stood No. ! an IN
his class and such action Is reConlilIe.u. =.
partly In Difference to what is uhdels'oou !"
he his own desire. although, he being now
prisoner In the hands Of the enemy, no direct
Communication on the subject has oeeh ie-
ceived from him. and partly FOR me reason is1n
1icrl
are Of such a character as 70 indicate especI"i
fitness for the duties Of the l In ,,x1v1ry
Executive Mansion. June -, 1873
The second message was as follows
To the Congress of the United States
on The 18th day Of May. 1898. there occurred
conflict IN the Bay OF Cardenas. Cuoa' N Wn ii
the naval torpedo-boat Winslow was dlsaoleo'
nor commander wounded and one OF her oflcers
and a part Of her crew killed by the enemy
nv nv Tho face OF most CALLING fire from the
ereroy's guns the revenue cutter Hudson. com
manded by First Lieutenant Frank n. SeW ~
conoh T. & Revenue Cutter Service, rescued the
disabled Winslow. her wounded commander ana
remaining crew. r, ,. h,s WIG
col IN the very hottest fire OF the action. al
though in constant danger Of going ashore on
account Of the shallow water, un1i md ne tn~.eS
tb,- vessel out Of range of the enemys guns d
deed Of special galantry. , 49,. ,o,
recommend. that In recognition OF 8le ~ "a
Newcomb United States Revenue Gutter ser
vice above set forth. the thanks or congress
he extended 10 him and 10 his ofhcers ana men
- he Hudson and that a gold medal OF honor
no PRESENTED to Lieutenant NewcOmD a SILVER
medal OF honor TO each Of his officers. ana
bronze medal Of honor to each meinber OF MS
crew who served with him at Cardehds.
II will be remembered that Congress by APP
proprate action recognized the SeseIai io oo' g.,
randers Of ships Of for their services III
the battle OF Manila on May l. lo3o. N WIN
mender Of the Revenue Cutter Hugh NC u
ioch present and in active Go-operaoh ,ha, | or
feet under Commodore Dewey on that ,r w
noefon INV Executive order under the provisions
Of Section 2757, Revised Statutes the oinl'
commander Of National snip ~ ,S y n "o,iid not
he given because he held the highest RAM
known to the Revenue Gutter service. .ho
now recommend that In recognltlon OF ti i
oecient and rncritorious services Of Captain
DanieI y Hodgsdon l.. s. Revenue cutter oer :
,ice Who commanded the Hugh McOulD'n a.
the battle Of Manila chat oflcer D'lH7 ~, nt.,
ny 60, ,bird vcar Of his age. and having
served continuously On active duty LOT oi,,, ~
seven years.. be placed upon t"t ,he revenue
cutter "e' ''0' " WILLIAM MK!NLEY.
Executive Mansion. June - 1910
The President also sent the following spec'al
nomination TO the Senate; 49, soo
Executive Mansion Washington June - i"'''
To the Senate Of the United states; r,u .,
nominate Naval Cadet Joseph w foW tno ~
no advanced two numbers under the proVISi0, 10
Of Section 1905 of the Keplse9 '@a,vtraordinary
he an ensign IN the Navy. Tor eh.iao , u
heroisr while in charge OF inc sloaln "a tha
which accompanied the collier Merrllhac ion I'm
purpose Of rescuIng her gailaht io'e Noroi
tbat vessel was under the command on NaI"'
Constructor Hobson. iun into me noun n III. "a and
harbor Of Santiago. Cuba on the % i"S''' az"
dexterousy sunni ]" WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
PREPARING TRANSPORTS TO SAIL.
, o., ,-,a,,ng the new transport vessels