The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-09
H|)BSON'S OWN STORY
Told With All the Modesty of
True HeroiSm.
IN FORM OF A TRIBUTE
To the American Sailor is His
SeIf-EfaCing Narrative.

New York, Aug. Sat a meeting of the
New York Soldiers and Sailors Protec-
tive association, Lieutenant Hobson told
his story of the sinking Of the Merrimac:
Lieutenant spoke modestly, slowly and
deliberately. He said:
Ladies and Conference.-The deck has
been turned over to me, but l take objec-
ton TO likening this situation to the deck
of d man-of-war daughter. As you all
know. the sailor abhors words. If you
followed his routine from the time ne
turns out in the morning until taps at
night you would hear but very few words
He has the simple pipe Of the whistle for
most Of his orders or the blast of the bu-
gle. Even of those commands and COM
municatOns which control all the forces
that make up a vessel for directing the
engines. for controlling the battery he will
have simple signals, and now that the
deck is turned over to me and I am called
upon to use words-woEds in abundance
I am on an unknown sea Qaughter)
must confess, however, that 1 knew that
l should be upon the unknown sea when
! consented to appear hear tonight, but
sailors before have gone into unknown
seas when causes adequate have called
them Cloud cheers), and If any cause could
appeal to me more than other causes it
is that which works 10 the interest of the
sailor and soldier, for l have been asso-
cateG with the sailor, though for a brief
number Of years, yet long enough to know
him.
MY first Experimentation the only
thing the sailor can talk about is few
little incidents and experiences of his own
was while on a practice cruise just after
entering the naval academy. One day
several of the cadets were swimming TO-
ward the Constellation, which was an
chored about three-quarters of a mile
from the shore. Most Of the cadets had
reached the snip. but one of them was
seized with cramps, and he sang out for
q boat to be lowered to take him aboard
Immediately a rush was made to hoist out
a boat. but a sailor who heard him jumped
overheard TO his assistance. Then another
went overheard, then from the boom,
from the quarter and from the bridge
other. sailors followed in such numbers
that actually the captain had TO give the
order in stern tones and his orderly pass
ed it along. that No more men jump over
board daughter and cheers)"'
Il have seen the same spirit exhibited
when in heavy gale a lifeboat had been
called for. Il was the same old C0nstel-
lation. She was running free before half
a gale. with close reefed topsails. when a
man fell overheard. Without waiting to
bring her TO the wind, so that the launch
ing would he easier under the ships lee.
the life crew lowered the boat. 1t was
a comrade of mine they were seeking to
rescue. He fell from the crOsstrees and
struck the water apparently Hfeless.
While the lifeboat was getting she was
swamped by "A heavy wave. and it was
no longer a question of saving one man.
but seven. Another Efeboat's crew was
called away. II was not necessary TO sive
the order for the call They were already
there. Il was not necessary TO muster the
crew. Each man was in his place. and
they lowered the hfeboat without hesita-
tontcheers). This was my first introduce
ton TO the acquaintance of the sailor. he
whom we call Jackie ~ number Of years
passed and every year Of association with
Jackie confirmed the first conclusions I
had drawn of him, and recently. friends,
have had occasion TO see Jackie where
be was sor@y taxed. fell that certain
features of the recent incident in which
Jackie played his part 50 well should be
referred 10. 1t is known that when the
call was made for volunteers TO 80 on the
Merrimac-(0 oCiferous cheers and cries Of
three cheers for the hero Of the Merri-
mace Literally the men fell over each
other in 1heir eagerness TO volunteer ire
newed cheering). The list on the New
York ran above a hundred and the Iowa
sent over the signal tha, lao would vo,un-
teer, before the order was passed that
no more volunteers were needed. When
the few out Of this number had been as
signed 10 stations on the Merrimac. the
direction was given 10 them 10 lie Hat on
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