The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-28
A REWARD FOR HOBsON
The President Recommends the
Thanks of Congress.
TO THE LINE
Daring. Judgment and Bravery DIS
played in the Act-signal Heroism
of First Lieut. Newcomo
at Cardenas.


To the congress OF the United States:
on the morning Of the Sd OF June, 1925,
Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond
p. Hobson. United States Navy. with
a volunteer crew of seven men, In
charge Of the partially dismantled col
lier Nerrimac, entered the fortified har-
Dor Of Santiago dc Cuba for the pur-
pose OF sinking the collier in the mar
rowest portion Of the channel and thus
interposing a serious obstacle to the
esress OF the Spanish feet which a
recently entered the harbor. This en-
terprise, daring GOODNESS, judgment n
bravery, amounting to heroism, was
carried into successful execution in the
face of a persistent fire from the hos
tile feet, as we'll as from the fortinca-
tons on shore.
Rear Admiral Sampson, commander
in chief of our ava forces In CUBAN
waters. I'm an official report. dated on
Santiago de Cuba. June 3. 1888. IN
addressed to the secretary of the navy.
referring to Mr.. Hobson's gallant eX-
plot. says:
"As stated In a recent telegram pc
fore coming here. i decided TO MAKE
the harbor entrance secure against tne
possibility OF egress OF the Spanish
ships by ~obstructing the narrow part
Of the entrance by sinking a collier al
that point. On calling upon Mr.. Hob
SON for his professional opinion as 10
A sure method OF sinking the NIP, ne
manifested a most lively interest IN tne
problem. After several days consid-
Grafton he presented a solution whicn
he considered would insure the imme-
diate sinking OF this ship when she had
reached the desired point in the ehannel
49,. M plan contemplated a crew
of only seven men and Mr.. Hopsoh,
who begged that II might be entrusted
10 him.
LAS soon as l reached Santiago
had the collier 10 work upon. the de-
tails were commenced and diligently
prosecuted. oping to complete them in
one day. as the moon and the tue
served best the first night after our ar
rival. Notwithstanding every enort'
the hour OF 4 o'clock in the morning ar
rived and the preparations were scarcely
completed. After a careful inspection
at the final moment ] was forced TO re-
llnquish the plan for that morning as
dawn was breaking. Mr.. Hobson begged
TO try IL at all hazards. This morning
proved more propitious, as a prompt
start could be made. Nothing could
have been more calamity accomplished
A careful inspection OF the
harbor from this ship showed the Mer'
rlmac a been sunk in the hanne
Il cannot myself too clearly express
my ap~precia tion of the conduct or Hob-
son and his gallant crew. i venture to
say that as brave and daring a Trims
has not been lone since Cushing blew
up the AlbemaTle."
The members OF the crew who were
with Mr.. Hobson on this memorable oc'
casion have already been rewarded by
advancement, which, under law ai'
regulation, the secretary of the navy wa
Instructed TO make. and the nomination
10 the senate of Cadet Powell. who, oi
a steam launch. followed the Merrinla.
for the purpose Of rescuing her fore
after sinking the vessel. 10 be advanced
60 the rank of ensign has been prepare
and submitted. Cushing, with who's
gallant act in blowing up the ram Abe
marie during the civil war Admire
Samnson Mr.. Hobson's sink
Ing OF the Merrimac. received the thank
of congress upon recommendation or IN
president and was in consequence, VI
der the provisions of section 1908 OF IN
revised statutes advanced one grad
such advancement embracing 30 nun
bers. The section cited applies, how
ever. to line officers only and MT Hot
son. being a member OF the STAN or III
navy. could not, under its provisions !
so advanced. -.
In considering the question OF sui
ably rewarding Assistant Naval Coz
structor Hobson for his valiant condu
on the occasion referred to. ! ha
deemed IL proper to address this me
sage TO you with the r~ecommendati'
that he receive the thanks OF congre
and further that he be transferred
the line of the navy and promoted
-z.40sA shnrafN as the nTRE1nR
by and with the advice and consent
the senate may determine. MIR. Ho
sons transfer from the construct
corps to the line IL fully warranted,
hav received the necessary traini
as a graduate OF the naval acader
where he stood one in his class and su
action il recommended partly in def
ence 10 what Is understood TO be
own desire. although he being now
prisoner in the hands OF the enemy.
direct communication has been receiN
from him. and partly for the reas
hat the abilities displayed by him
Santiago are of such a character as
dlcate especial fitness for the duties
the line.
The second message was as follows
To the Congress OF the United stat
ON the nth day of May, 1898. IN
occurred a conflict in the bay OF G
denas. Cuba, in which the naval 1
pedo boat winslow MAS disabled.
ommande wounded and one of
officers and a part Of her crew Xii
by the enemy's fire.
In the face of a most CALLING
from the enemy's guns the revenue c
ter Hudson, commanded by First II
tenant Frank H. Newcotnb, resc
the disabled Winslow. her woun
commander and remaining crew.
commander of the Hudson kept
vessel in the very hottest fire of
setion. although in constant danger
going ashore on account Of the shal