The times., 1898-06-16
REWARD FOR MERIT.
Promotion, Medals and Money for
HobSon's Men

Secretary Long has formally and substantially
recognized the gallantry OF the men who. under
command Of Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson
sank the collier MeTimac in the mouth OF the
Harbor of Santiago de Cuba.
No action has vet been taken with reference
to the promotion Of Mr.. Hohson himself. for
the reason that the department has not yet had
an opportunity OF communicating with him to
learn what ne desires. Every effort is being
made by the department to procure his ex-
change and that Of the men with him in Santi-
ago prison. but nothing definite as a result has
yet occurred
As for the men, two of them are promoted
to warrant rank; two are made chief machinists
and three appointed chief boatswains mates
The men promoted to warrant rank are d. Mon
tague. chief master at arms. who is appointed
boatswain, and George Charette, gunner's mate.
third class, who is made a gunner c. E.
Phillips. machinist, first class, was named as
chief machnist, and to 2. Kelly, water tender
was given the same rank. Coyswain r. Clausen
Coxswain o. Deignan and Coxswain J. E. Muir
ply were each appointed a chief boatswain's
mate
These promotions were made upon the recon-
Taendations of Capt. \. 5. Crowninshield chief
OF the Bureau Of Navigation, and upon the recon-
mendation of Rear Admiral Sampson, who brought
the gallantry of the men to the attention of
the department, with the recommendation that
they be given favorable consideration
Capt. Crowinshie,d would have liked 10 have
made Machinist Phillips and Water Tender Kelly
warrant officers. An examination of the provi-
sion contained in the naval appropriation law
authorizing the enlistment Of 100 warrant ma
chinists, showed that such appointments must
be made from civil life, so that the highest po-
sit hot 10 ~
of chief machinists.
The naval personnel bill contains authority
for creating corps of warrant machinists, and
1t is proposed by the department, upon the pas
sage Of Of the measure, to promote Phillips and
Kelly TO the grade OF warrant machinists
In the case of the three coxswains, an examina-
tion OF their records showed that they had
been in the service less than year, and it was
therefore not deemed desirable to advance them
to warrant rank without further training In
promoting these to be chief boatswain's
mates it Is said by department officers that they
ara assured life positions during behavior with an
excellent prospect of getting early promotion TO
warrant rank.
As chief master at arms Montague drew pay
al the rate Of SOS per month. As boatswain, to
which he has been promoted, he will receive
$500 per year, this pay including the longevity
pay, which his four years service in the Navy
viii insure. Charette drew $50 per month as
gunner's mate, third class, and he Will also re-
ceiye $500 per year. In addition each OF these
officers viii be entitled to a room forward of the
steerage, and viii be retired the same as COM
missioned officers
Phillips, a machinist. will be promoted from
S55 to $50 a month"; and Kelly, the water tender,
from $40 10 so per month. Clausen, Degnan
and Murphy, the coxswains, instead of receiving
$50 per month, viii in the future receive $50
per month Besides these rewards, it is proposed
10 give each man 500 and medal of honor, 10
be prepared under the direction OF the depar-
ment.