The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-28
Hobson, Newcomb, HOdgsdOn and
Powell 10 Be Rewarded
PRESIDENT RECOMMENDS IT..
lie Sends Two Messages TO Congress
Setting Forth Their Hcroism rs Re
ported TO Department by Their
Commanders.


Newcomb and crew Of the revenue cut
ter Hudson. which rescued the torpedo
boat Winslow at Cardenas. Captain
Hodcsdon. OF the dispatch boat Hugh
McCulloch. which figured in the battle
az Manila and Naval Cadet Joseph
Wright Powell who held the steam
launch under the bluffs at Santiago mar
bor searching for the crew of the Mer-
rimac.
Authority Is asked OF the Senate Tor
the transfer Of Hobson from the con
struction corps 20 the Line Of Navy ana
The president announces that with au-
tho~itv given he will by and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate suit
ably advance IIobson i'm the line.
The Hudson's crew are to be given
vote of thanks and medals Of commemo-
ration. Captain HOdgsdon - 10 nc
suitably recognized. The PTesident
mentioning Hobson cites the fact mat
the crow with him already nave De'n
promoted.
THE MESSAGE.
The message IS realtion 10 Hobson was
as follows.
To the Congress OF the United States:
On the morning or tho 81 Of June. lA'N
Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond
Pearson Hobson. T. s n. with volun-
teer crew Of seven men In charge o. the
partially dismanGed collier MeTrimac. en-
tered tho fortified harhOr ~ Santiago.
Cuba. for the purpose OF sinking the col
lier IN the narrowest portion Of the chan
mel and thus interposing a serious oh
stacle TO the egress Of the Spanish heet
which had recently entered that harbor.
This enterprise. demanding GOODNESS.
Judgment. and bravery amounting 10 he
roism. was carried into successful execu-
Al 49,. srfn ffrg FvaFf
the hostile fleet as we'll as from the for
tihcations on shore.
SAMPSON REPORT.
Rear-Admiral Sampson. Commander
in-Chief OF our Naval force I'm Cuban
waters in an official report dated "On
Santiago de Cuba, June 8, 1895 and adj
dressed 20 the Secretary Of the Navy. re-
ferring to Mr.. Hobson's gallant exploit
SAYS:
As stated in a recent telegram before
coming here ! decided 20 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 az that point. Upon
calling upon Mr. Hobson for his profess
sional opinion as to a sure method of
sinking the ship he manifested a most
lively interest in the problem.
After several days consideration he
presented a solution which he considered
would ensure the immediate sinking Of
the ship when she had reached the desir-
ed point in the channel.
THE PLAN.
The plan contemplated q crew OF only
seven men and Mr. Hobson. who begged
that IT might be entrusted 10 him.
As soon as / reached Santiago and had
the collier 20 work upon. the details were
commenced and diligently prosecuted
hoping 10 complete them I'm one day. as
the moon and tide served best the first
night after our arrival. Notwithstanding
every effort. the hour OF four o'clock in
the morning arrived and the preparations
were scarcely completed.
After a careful inspection OF the final
preparations / was forced TO relinquish
the plan for that morning. as dawn was
breaking. Mr.. HobsOn begged TO try
Il at all hazards.
This morning proved more proptious,
as a prompt start could be made. Moth
ing could have been more CALAMITY ex-
ecuted.
A careful inspection OF the harbor from
this ship shows that the Merrimac had
been sunk I'm the channel
EQUAL TO CUSHING.
7 cannot myself too earnestly express
my appreciation Of the conduct of Mr.
Hobson and his gallant crew. I venture
to say that a more brave and daring
thing has not been done since Gushing
blew up the Abemarle.
The members OF the crew who were
with Mr. Hobson on this memorable oc-
casiOn have already been rewarded for
their service by advancement which, UNI
der the provisions OF law and regulation.
the Secretary Of the Navy was authorized
to make: and the nomination to the Sen
ate OF Naval Cadet Powell who. IN a
steam launch. followed the Merrimac on
her perilous trip for the purpose Of res
cuing here force after the sinking Of that
vessel, TO be advanced in rank to the
grade of ensign. has been prepared and
will be submitted.
4 PRECEDENT.
Cushing. with whose gallant conduct
in blowing up the ram Albemarle during
he civil war Admiral Sampson compares
Mr. Hobson's sinking OF the Merrimac.
received the thanks OF Congress upon
the recommendation OF the Presidert;" by
name and was in consequence under the
provision OF section 1908 Of the Revised
Statutes. advanced one grade.such adj
vancement embracing Sc numbers. The
section cited applies however, TO line
ofilcerso only. and Mr. Hobson being a
member Of the staff OF the navy, could
not under its provisions be so advanced.
In considering the question of suitably
rewarding Assistant Naval Constructor
Hobson for his gallant conduct on the
occasion referred to, ! have deemed II
proper to address this message 10 you
with the recommendation that he receive
the thanks OF Congress; and further that
ne be transferred 10 the line Of the navy
and promoted to such position therein as
the President. by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate. may deter
mine.
Mr. Hobson's transfer from the con-
struction corps 10 the line is fully war
ranted. he having received the necessary
technical training as graduate OF tho
Naval Academy. where he stood No. ] in
his class: and such action is recommend
ed partlv in Difference 70 what is under
stood TO be his own desire, although he,
being now a prisoner I'm the hands of the
enemy. no direct communication on the
subject has been received from him. and
partly for the ability displayed by him
al Santiago IS of such character as 70
Indicate especial fitness for the duties OF
the line.
WILLIAM <1'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion. June 27,lSS.
THE SECOND MESSAGE.
In the second m essaee the President re-
counts the story Of the conflict In the
Bay of Cardcnas. Cuba. on May llth IN
when the naval torpero-boat "Winslow
was disabled. her commander wounded
and one of her officers and part Of her
.,o,,, kuled nv the enemys fire and con-