The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-05
The Men Who Sunk the Merrimac
viii Not Be Forgotten,
NAVAL SITUATION SATISFACTORY
Cadiz Fleet Not Feared-Army Prepa-
rations Go On--Sampson May At
tack San Juan Soon-Sketch of
Lieutenant Hobson.

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Navy Department awaited with Intense
interest official confirmation and eIpla-
nation from Admiral Sampson.
In the afternoon the story came. lack
ing IN detail, II is true but giving IN
rough outlines sketch Of American
heroism that Will live through genera
lions TO come.
There is no doubt that the name Hob
son IS destined to be bracketed with
that OF Gushing among Americas naval
heroes and indeed, IL was the opinion
of the majority Of officers who scanned
the Associated Press account OF the
sinking Of the Merrimac that the ex-
| plot surpassed in brilliancy as an eXhi-
/ bition Of cool daring, even Cushing
/ famous attack upon the ram Albemarle.
SURE AND ADEQUATE REWARD.
Reward sure and adequate, is await
| ing these American heroes. and Acting
| Secretary Allen has so pledged himself
I after consultation with Secretary Long,
who is stu confined 10 his room by
/ lame leg Medals and promotion are
the least they can expect at the hands
Of a grateful people. Moreover, they
will not anguish long IN Spanish
prison IL the authorities here can bring
| about their release for half an hour
| after Simpsons bulletin was displayed
/ on the walls OF the Navy Department Col.
| Carter Assistant Adjutant-General, hac
/ taken the preliminary steps to arrange
| for an exchange OF prisoners. and was
! learning just how many Spanish officers
| and enlisted men were still held IN cap
/ tivity AT Fort Mcpherson, Ca, where
they had been taken from the prizes
captured by the American naval vessels.
In addition to these the navy has just
/ turned over 10 the military authorities
\ loo
other Spanish officer, supposed TO DC or
high rank. who so far has been able TO
conceal his identity. The officials are
confident that they have more than
enough Spanish officers to offer as ram
som for The one American officer and
seven enlisted men held by Ceryera.
GENEROUS RECOGNITION.
The officials took note Of the generous
recognition by the Spanish admiral OF the
bravery OF the Americans and his kindly
treatment OF the prisoners. and it IS
guaranteed that the Admirars lines viii
fall IN pleasant places. as any captive has
a right 20 expect should he be overcome
in the end and forced to surrender.
The naval situation IS believed to be
entirely satisfactory Notwithstanding the
Spanish reports Of the clearing away of
the Merr-iaf fl is not believed Tor an
instant that Sampson will submit to los
ing this so dearly purchased advantage
and he can DE relied upon % prevent the
removal Of the obstruction.
with the Spanish fleet Gagged inside the
harbor. there to- remain tin they are
starved out or surrender. Admiral Samp-
son viii be free 10 dispatch most OF his
powerful squadron for other duties.
MEDITATES AN ATTACK.
There IS a common belief that he med.-
tates an immediate attack upon San
Juan.
There has been a notable change IN
the tone of dispatches and although up
10 this moment no advices have been
made to the State Department by any
OF the European Powers there Is an in
dehnable suggestion in the air that any
moment may bring forth ove.tures Of
this kind.
For this reason the campaign against
Porto Rico probably will be hurried in
order 10 ensure ITS possession by the
United States before peace Is attained.
DON'T FEAR THE CADIZ FLEET.
OF the Cadiz fleet no fear is entertained,
Notwithstanding the many publish
ed reports, probably all ascriba-
bic TO Spanish ingenuity, 10 the
effect that this fleet has already
started for either the West Indies or the
Philippines, 81 can be stated that the
government has information, which it
regards as reliable, that the Spanish
fleet had not Left Cadiz up TO yesterday.
Meantime army preparations 20 for
ward without tie slightest sign Of cessa-
ton. To-day bids were opened FOR sup
plying one million and a half cartridges
| two more transports were purchased and
arrangements were made 20 use four OF
| the large Spanish steamers captured as
| prizes for the transportation o. troops &c
| Cuba ana Porto Rico.
Naval Constructor Hobson, whose name
| Is on every lip in Washington p-night, is
| well known at the Navy Department as
! ne served in the Bureau of Construction
| for several years us associates regard
! Inn as combining great ability as a stu
! dent with the eccentricity often accom-
| panying genius.
A DARE DEVIL
It was remarked by one Of the chief
| officials OF the department tonight that
| Hobson was a man who held naval regu-
| latiOns concerning matters OF form in
| contempt and was obiivIous 10 official
! FTles. These daredevil characteristics
/ were Offset. however. by his recognized
! ability in all branches of naval science.
particularly naval architecture. Although
! the youngest man In his class al the Ma
| val Academy. he graduated at the head Of
| the cldSS 4 slslldl ADuOlf winch lea 10 MS
| being sent by the government FOR a course
| in the naval schools OF Europe. Here he
| gained new honrs. On returning ~ this
| country he served with the department
and also saw sea service and about a
year ago became instructor in naval ar
! chitecture at the Naval Academy at An
! napols.
When the war broke out he asked for
| active service and a the same time in
| sisted on taking the three naval cadets
| OF his class with him, in order that they
| might gain the advantage of practical
/ experience on ship board during the war.
| As a result .he and his three cadets were
| assigned for service on Admiral SamD-
sons flagship. 1t was the prevailing eX-
| preston at the department tonight that
! Hobson was just the character TO take
| the lead in such a hazardous feat as that
| of sinking the Merrimac. IL is presumed
| that Admiral Sampson chose him from
among many volunteers on account Of
| the fact that his expert knowledge OF ma
| val construction would permit him 10
sink the Merrimac in such position as 10
prove the most effective IN blocking the
channel
SKETCH OF HOBSON.
From naval sources q full sketch OF
| Constructor Hobson was secured as fol-
lows:
Richmond Pearson Hobson. born Au-
gust II. 1870. at Greensboro. Hale county,
| Southern University al the head OF his
| class. Appointed 10 Naval Academy on
| competitive examination in May, 1885,
- . Ia.