The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-07
e! e STA J T I BLIsSsIIIIIEED 1865. !.

= :
peace is attained.
OF the Cadiz fleet no fear is enter.
tanned. Notwithstanding the many
published reports, probably all as-
cribable to Spanish ingenuity, to the
eFcct that this feet has already start.
ed 10 r elthor the West Indies or the
Philippines, it can be stated that the
Government has information, which
it regards ub reliable, that the Span.
lsh fleet had not left Cadiz up to
yesterday. Army preparations go
forward without the slightest sign of
cessation.
100000 CARTRIDGES.
Today bids we're opened for sup
plying one million and half car
tridges; two more transports were
purchased, and arrangem onts were
made to use four of the large Span
ish steamers captured as prizes for
the transportation of troops to Cuba
and Porto Rico.
Naval Constructor Hobson, whose
name ia on every lip in Washington
tonight, is well known at the navy
department, as he served in the bu-
reau Of construction for several years.
His associates regard him as combin-
ing great ability as a student with
the eccontricity often accompanying
genius.
HoBsoN, OF ALABAMA.
It WAS remarked by ono Of the
chief officials of the department to.
night that Hobson was a man who
held naval regulations concerning
matters of form in contempt, and
was oblivious to official rules. These
daro devil characteristics were offset,
however, by his recognized ability in
oil branches of naval science. par
ticularly architecture. Although the
youngest man in his class at the
Naval Academy, he graduated at the
head Of the class, signal honor,
which led to his being sent by the
Government for course in the naval
schools Of Europe. Hero he gained
new honors. On returning to this
country he served with tho depart
mont and also saw sea service, and
about year ago became instructor
in naval architecture at tho Naval
Academy at Annapolis. When the
war broke out he asked for active
service and at the same time insisted
on taking the threo naval cadets of
his class with him in ordor that they
might gain the advantage of practl-
cal experience on shipboard during
the war. .
WAS ABOARD THE FLAG SHIP. ..
AS a result he and his three cadets
wore assigned for service on Admiral
Simpsons flag ship. 1t was the
prevailing expression at tho depart
ment tonight that Hobson was just
the character to take the lead in such
a hazardous feat az that of sinking
the Merrimao. It is presumed that
Admiral Sampson chose him from
among many volunteers, owing to
the fact thHt his expert knowledge Of
naval construction would permit him
to sink the Merrimac in such posi-.
ton as to prove most effective in
blocking the channel. .....
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
From naval sources a full oketch
Of Constructor Hobson was secured
as follows: Richmond Pearson Hob
son, born August II, 1870, at Green's
boro, Hale County, Ala, where he
also graduated from tho Southern
University, at the head Of his class
Appointed to the Naval Academy in
competitive examination in May,
1885, and although tho youngest
man Of the class, graduated at its
head in 1880 His first cruise was
to Brazil, when tho now Brazilian
Republic was recognized. He was
ordered to special conrso abroad,
spending one year at the National
School Of Mines at Paris, and two
years at tho School OF Maritime
Science in the same city. The sum-
mer vacation was spent in French
.Gip yard. Ho received diplomas
from the French school for distinc-
ton in naval construction and do
sign, both of hulls aud engines. He
l.