The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-28
TO PROMOTE HEROES

day sent the following message TO con-
! gress:
! To the Congress of the United States:
| On the morning of the 3rd of June, 1898
! Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond
! P Hobson, L. S. N, with a volunteer
crew Of seven men, in charge Of the par
| TALLY dismantled collier ''Merrimac" en-
tered the fortified frarbor of Santiago
/ Cuba, for the purpose of sinking the col
lier in the narrowest portion of the chan
mel, and thus interpOstng a serious OBJ
stacle to the egress of the Spanish feet,
which had recently entered that harbor.
! This enterprise, demanding GOODNESS,
judgment and bravery amounting to he
roism, was carried into successful execu-
ton in the face of a persistent fire from
the hostile fleet as well as from the forti-
fcatOns on shore.
Rear Admiral Sampson, COMMANDMENTS
chief Of our naval force in Cuban waters,
in an official report dated "Of Santiago
| de Cuba, June s, 1885," and addressed to
the secretary of the navy. referring TO
Mr.. Hobson's gallant exploit, says:
LAS stated in a recent telegram, before
coming here I decided to make the har-
Dor entrance secure against the possibility
of egress of the Spanish ships, by OBJ
structing the narrow part of the entrance
by sinking a collier at that point. Upon
calling upon Mr.. Hobson for his profess
sional opinion as to a sure method of sink
ing the ship, he manifested a most lively
interest in the problem. After several
days consideration he presented a solu-
ton which he considered would insure the
immediate sinking of the ship when she
| had reached the desired point in the chan
mel. The plan contemplated a
crew Of only seven men and Mr.. Hobson,
who begged that it might be entrusted to
him AS soon as reached Santiago and
! had the collier TO work upon the details
were commenced and diligently prosecut-
ed hoping to complete them in a day, as
the moon served best the first night af-
ter our arrival. Notwithstanding every
effort the hour of O'Clock in the morn
ing arrived and the preparations were
scarcely completed. After a careful in
spection Of the final preparations 1 was
forced to relinquish 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 promut dash could be made. Nothing
could have been more CALAMITY executed.
"a a careful inspection of the
harbOr from this ship showed that the
Merrimac had been sunk in the channel.
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 Cushing
blew up the Albemarle.'"
The members of the crew who were with
Mr.. Hobson on this memorable occasion
have already been rewardd for their SER
vices. by advancement, which, under the
provisions of law and regulation, the sec
rotary of the navy was authorized TO
make and the nomination to the senate,
of Naval Cadet Powell, who, in a steam
launch. followed the AIerrimac on her
perilOus trip for the puIa0se of rescuting
her force after the sinking of that yes
sci, TO be advanced in rank to the grade
of ensign, has been prepared, and viii be
submitted.
Gushing. with whose gallant act in
blowing up the ram Albemarle during the
civil war Admiral Sampson compared Mr..
Hobson's sinking of the Merrimac, re-
cejved the thanks of congress upon rec
and was in consequence. under the provi-
sions of section 1908 of the revised sta
tutes, advanced one grade. such advance
ment embracing dfty-Six numbers. The
section cited applies, however. to line Of
icers only, and Mr.. Hobs7n being a mem
Der Of the staff of the navy. could not IN
der its provisions be SO advanced.
In considering the question Of suitably
rewarding Assistant Naval Constructor
Hobson for his va&eHt conduct on the oc-
easion referred TO. I have deemed it prop
er 10 address this message 20 YOU. with
the recomnendarion shat ne receive the
thanks of congress. and further that ne
be transferred 20 ,he line Of the navy and
promoted 70 such position therein as the
president, by and with the consent Of the
senate. may determine. Mr.. Hobsou's
transfer from the construction corps 20