Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30
HONORS FOR OUR HEROES.
The President Takes Cognizance Of
the Act of Naval Constructor
Richmond P. Hobson.
CONGRESSIONAL ACTION RECOMMENDED
Lieut.. HObson's Comrades Have Already
Been Rewarded; Cadet Powell Hal
Been Promoted, and the Gallant Ohi
Ger, Now a Prisoner, Should Receive
Proper Recognition.

WASHINGTON, June 27.-The pres
ident sent the following message tc
congress-:
To THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
On the morning of the third of June. 1898
Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond P
Hobson, U. S. N, with volunteer crew OF
seven men, in charge Of the partially disman-
tied collier 'Merrimac." entered the fortified
harbor of Santiago de Cuba, for the purpose d
sinking the collier in the narroweSt portion
of the channel, and thus interpreting serious
obstacle to the egress of the Spanish feet,
which had recently entered that harbor This
enterprise demanding GOODNESS, judgment and
bravery amounting to heroiSm, carried
into successful execution in the face of per-
siStent fire from the hostile feet as well as
from the Notifications shore.
Rear-Admfral Sampson, commander-in-chicf
of our naval forces in Cuban waters, in an Of
fetal report. dated of Santiago de Cuba. June
g. 1898" aud addressed to the secretary of the
navy, referring to Mr.. HobSOn'S gallant exploit,
among other things, says:
II can not myself too earnestly express my
appreciation of the conduct of Mr.. HobsOn and
his gallant crew. venture to say that more
brave and daring thing has not been done since
Gushing blew up the Albemarle."
The members of the crew who were with
Mr.. HobsOn on this occasion have already been
rewarded for their services by advancement
which, under the provisions OF law and regula-
thorized to make, and the nomination to
the senate of Naval Cadet Powell, who, in a
steam launch, followed the Merrimac on her
perilouS trip for the purpose of rescuing her
force after the sinking of that vessel, TO be ad-
vanced in rank to the grade of ensign has been
prepared and will be submitted. Gushing, with
whose gallant act in blowing up the ram Al
bemare, during the civil war, Admiral Sampson
compared Mr.. Hobson's sinking of the Merri-
mac, received the thanks of congress upon rec
concentration of the president, by name, anC
was, in consequence, under the provisions OF
section 1908 of the revised statutes, ad-
vanced one grade, such advance
ment embracing So numbers. The
section cited applies, however, te
line officers only, and Mr. Hobson being mem
Der of the staff of the navy could not, under its
provisions, be so advanced.
In considering the question of suitably re-
warding Assistant Naval Constructor HobsoI
for his valiant conduct the occasion re-
terred to. I 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 de-
termine.
Mr.. Hobson's transfer from the construction
corps to the line is fully warranted, he having
received the necessary technical training q
graduate OF the naval academy. where he Stooc
No. in his class; and su:l action is recon-
mended, partly in Difference to what is under
stood to be his own desire, although, he being
now prisoner in the hands of the enemy, nc
direct communication on the subject has beer
received from him, and partly for the reason
that the abilities displayed by him at Santiago
are of such a character as to indicate especial
fitness for the duties of the line.
[Signedl WILLIAM MCKINLEY.