Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-06-11
HoBsoN. THE HERO

Richmond Pearson Hobson wa
| twenty seven years old on August L
last, having been born at Greensboro
Hale county, Ala, in 1870. After {
competitive examination in May 1885
he was appointed to the Nava
Academy by Congressman Herbert
afterward Secretary of the Navy
! Though the youngest man in hi
class, he stood first at graduation IL
1889.
His picture shows him to be a youns
man with strong face, a broat
square chin, especially indicating hi
characteristic of courage. 1t is sale
that his disregard for the rules and
regulations of the service is some
thing phenomenal. He never could
| be bound down by the red tape Of
official routine If, for instance, he
desired 10 address the Secretary OF
the Navy, he would do so directly
instead of having his communications
forwarded through the proper chan
nels.
Upon leaving the Academy Hobson
was appointed a midshipman on the
Chicago, then commanded by AID
lniral Walker, just before the warship
started on a European cruise. After
returning home the government
selected him as one of six to go
abroad for a special course in naval
architecture.
This detail is considered one of the
highest honors that can be conferred
upon an officer in the navy. 1t is a
recognition of his superior ability
and fitness for entering the most ad-
vanced technical corps. For years
the British government has permit
ted two representatives from each
nation with which she is Oh friendly
terms to attend specially high
course of instruction at the Royal
Naval College at Woolwich. Hobson
was there for some time, and spent
one year at the National School OF
Mines, at Paris, and two years at the
School of Maritime Science, in Paris.
The summer vacations were spent IN
French shipyards. He received d.
plomas from the French school Tor
distinction in naval construction and
design, both of hulls and of engines
When he returned to this country,
in 1894, he was ordered to duty III
the Navy Department under Secre-
tary Herbert, where his services were
highly appreciated and commended
by the officials of the department,
and he was made assistant naval con
structor. From there he was sent to
the Brooklyn navy yard, where ne
remained for year. and was then
sent to Newport News to inspect the
Kearsarge and Kentucky several
months after their construction was
begun.
Through his efforts last year post
graduate course OF instruction in
naval construction was inaugurated
at Annapolis, and Hobson was APP
pointed instructor, and began his
work with three pupils. In the latter
part of last March Hobson applied to
Chief Naval Constructor Hichborn to
be allowed TO go on board warslllp
with his pupils, that they might
learn from actual experience ana OBJ
servation naval tactics. This per-
mission was granted, and teacher and
proteges Joined SIMPSONS fleet at
Kew W est and have since been with
the Admiral.
Hobson is of athletic build, quiet
! and unassuming in manner. and
would not be picked out ordinarily
as having the bravery his recent act
has attested. From childhood he has
always been an exemplary son.
This young man has made repu
tation as an author. his book on
disappearing Guns published
about year ago, having received
extended credit from naval men, as
did his more recent effort, Notes Oh
the Yacht Defender. and the Use OF