The Portland daily press., 1898-06-28
THE HEROES REMEMBERED.
Special Messages Sent to Congress By the
President.

10 the Congress of the United States:
On the morning of the third of June,
1898, Assistant Naval Constructor Rich
mond P .Hobson, y. S. N, with yolun-
teer crew, of seven men, in charge OF the
partially dismantleu collier Merrimac,
entered the fortified harbor of Santiago
de Cuba, for the purpose of sinking the
collier in the narrowest portion of the
channel, and thus interposing serious
obstacle to the egress of the Spanish
fleet, which had recently entered. that
harhor.
This enterprise, demanding GOODNESS,
Judgment and bravery amounting to
heroism, was carried into successful exc
cution in the face of a persistent fire
from the hostile fleet as well as from the
Notifications on shore.
Rear Admiral Sampson, commander-in-
chief of our naval force in Cuban waters,
in an official report dated off Santiago
de Cuba, June 3 1873, and addressed to
tie Secretary of the Navy referring TO
MIR. Hobson's gallant exploit, says: sass
AS stated in recent telegram, before
coming here, l decided to make the har-
bor entrance secure against the possibili-
ty of egress of the Spanish ships by OBJ
struoting the narrow part of the en-
trance by sinking collier at that point.
Upon calling upon Mr.. Hobson for his
professional opinion as to sure method
Of sinking the ship he manifested most
lively interest in the problem. After
several days consideration he presented a
solution which he considered would en-
sure the immediate sinking of the ship
when she had reached the decided point
in the channel The plan contemplated
a crew Of only seven men ana MIR. HOB
son, who begged that it might be entrust-
ed to him. AS soon as l reached Santiago
and had the collier to work upon, the
details were commenced and diligently
prosecuted, hoping to complete them in
one day as the moon and tide served
best the first night after our arrival
Notwithstanding every effort the hopr
of O'Clock in the morning arrived and
the preparations were scarcely completed.
After careful insF ection of the final
preparations, I 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 plopitious, as prompt start could
be made. Nothing could have been more
lion of the harbor from this ship showed
that the bIerrimac, had been sunk in the
channel. l cannot, nlsyelf, too earnestly
express my appreciation of the conduct
of Mr.. Hobson and his gallant crew.
venture to say that more brave and
Gushing blew up the A lbemarle.
The members Of the crew who were
with Mr.. Hohson on this memorial occa-
sion have already been rewarded for their
services by advancement, which under
the provisions of law and regulation, the
secretary of The navy has authorized to
MAKE. and the nomination to the Senate
of Naval Cadet Powell, who, in steam
launch, followed the Merrimac on her
perllOus trip, for the purpose of resc uing
ner force after the sinking of that vessel.
to be advanced in rank to the grade of
ensign, has been prepared and will be SUBJ
lnitted.
Cushing, to whose gallant act in blow
ing ND the ram AIbermarle during the
civil war, Admiral Sampson compares
Mr.. Hosbon's sinking of the Merrimac,
received the thanks OF Congress upon re
commentator Of the President, by name,
and was in consequence, under the pro-
visions of section 150S of the revised SCAT
utes, advanced one grade, such advance
ment embracing Sc numbers.
The section cited applies, however, to
line officers only, ann Alr. Robson being
member of the staff of the navy, could
not Under its provisions. be so advanced.
In considering the question of suitably
rewardlng Assistant Naval Constructor
Hobson, for his valiant conduct on the
occasion referred to, l have deemed it
proper to address this message to you
with the recommendation that he receive
the thanks of Congress, and further. that
he be transferred to 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.. Hobsons transfer from the con-
struction corps to the lines fully warrant
ed, he having received the necessary
technical training as graduate of the
M aI llo,.r bp cfo
his class; and such action is recommend
ed, partly in detererce to what Is under
stood to be his own desire, although, be
Being now prisoner in the hands of the
elamy, no direct communication on the
subject has been received from him,
and partly for the reason that the abili-
lies displayed by him at Santiago are of
such character as to indicate especial
b fitness for the duties of the line.
William Mckinley.
Executive Mansion, June u, 1885,
The second message WAS as follows:
To the Congress of the United States:
On the 18th day of May. 1888. there &C.
CURED conflict in the Bay of Cardenas,
Cuba, in which the naval torpedo boat
Wlnslow, was disabled, her commander
wounded, and one of her officers and a
part OF her crew killed by the enemy's
fire
In the face Of most CALLING fire from
ln5 enemy guns, the revenue cutter
hudson, commanded by First Lieut..
Frank Fl. Newcomb, U. S. revenue cut
ter service, rescued the disabled Winslow,
her wounded commander and remaining
crew.
The commander of the Hudson kept
his vessel in the very hottest fire of the
action, although in constant danger of
running ashore on account Of the shallow
water, until he finally got line made
fast TO the tWinslow, land toTed that vessel
out OF range of the eDemy's guns, deed
OF especial gallantry.
L recommend that, in recognition of
the signal act of heroism of First Lieut..
Frank Ii. Newcomb, United States reve-
ME cutter service, above set forth, the
thanks Of Congress be extended to him
and TO his officers and men on tho Hud-
son and that gold medal of honor be
presented to Lieut.. Newcomb, a silver
medal of honor to bis officers and bronze
medal to each member of his crew who
served with him at CaFdenas
1t will be remembered that Congress,
by appropriate action recognized the
several commanders o. ships Of war for
their services ia the battle of Manila,