New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-26
LIEUT.. HoBsoN AND THE coLoy.
ORGANIZING AN EXPEDITION TO RAISE
THE CRACK SPANISH CRUISER.

! The mission upon which Lieutenant Richmond
Pearson Hobson North has been so far sue
cessfuy and speedily accomplished. He started
from the front for the purpose Of persuadng the
naval authorities that It was OF the utmost impor-
lance that the quickest possible measures should be
taken 70 raise the Spanish warship Crstooal Colon
and to look after the arrangements for doins 30.
should the authorities be persuaded Lieutenant
Hooson has been entirely successful In convincing
the authorities a. Washington that valuable YES
sci can probably be we'd He has also made ar
rangements for an expedition to start for Santiago
as soon as ever II can be got together.
The hero OF tho Merrimac mas done some Of the
most energetic work on record since he has been
In this part OF the country He arrived In New
York last Friday morning and Immediately start
cd for Washington. lie back here again on
Saturday to see Captain Merritt of tn. Merritt
Chapman Wrecking COMPANY After he had ascer
tanned Captain Merritts views ne started again for
Washington to make his report. Yesterday he
In this city for the third time 20 make final ar
engagements He visited the Office Of the wrecking
company yesterday morning. and in the evening
started for Boston to about the purchase OF
pontoors, be used In the salvage Of the Spanish
vessel
This is record Of activity in the puolic service
that would have drawn attention 10 Lieutenant
Hooson, even had he not already been Of the
favorite popular heroes Of the He Is really
almost entirely responsible for the effort that will
be made 10 save the Cristobal Colon The expert
who examined her after the battle declared that she
could not be raisgd but Lieutenant Hobson thought
otherwise. and II the noble cruiser is restored
TO her original condition. the American people will
owe another debt TO the hero of the Merrmac.
After the expert employed by Admiral Sampson
had declared II quite impossible to the Colon
the Admiral appointed special board Of inquiry.
The board did not reach positive conclusion and
Lieutenant Hobson made thorough examination.
with the aid Of divers. The result Of this is his
present visit North. and the wrecking expedition
that will. II is expected start for Santiago from
this city next Thursday.
Lieutenant Hobson said definitely yesterday that
:he Merrtt-C Chapman WreclIng and Derrick Com
pany had agreed to undertake the raising Of the
Cristoba Colon. and would begin the work
as possible The difficulty he said lies in the
complete submergence. upon her beamend Of a
steamer OF seven thousand tons Only short por-
ton OF her stem is clear of water. which fills her
whole interior Hor sea-valves are open. and her
sides In few places perforated by shells. The
beach upon which she lies Is exceedingly shelving
In short. all the conditions present which rem
der the Fighting and raising of the ship an en-
cheering feat of large proportions. At the same
time It is simple and quite feasible. No new APP
planes are needed nothing has to be invented
# Is simply a question Of getting to the spot IN
time the accepted means and methods sufi
cient scale.
"One Of the most essential parts OF the equip
ment IL sufficient supply or pontoons We ma "
exceedingly hard to find all want and It may De
necessary to construct a few II possible, how
ever we wish TO avoid the delay involved. | am
going Boston tonight for the purpose OF inspect
ing pontoons. | hope TO procure there enough TO
complete the needed complement The wrecking
expedition. | may say with some positiveness Will
he ready 10 start in three days Al least ten days
will be required TO reach Santiago. When the work
begins at Santiago the sea-valves of the Colon Will
be sealed 5 will also any shot holes or other opan-
ines admitting the and the water IN her Will
be pumped ont. While thus restoring 10 the ship
much OF her own buoyancy az possible. the pom
toons will DE employed partly TO reinforce this
buoyancy. but chiefly for the purpose OF steadying
the vessel as she rises 10 her keel She Is prac-
tcaly intact and solid structure. and Will repay all
the expense and toll when more ahoat.'
AS to the salvage of the Maria Teresa. the Lieu
tenant said that this was a. much simpler ana
easier matter She ordinary wreck. such
as the Merritt Chapman company was in the habit
of handling frequently
II 10 be inferred that he would ne glad to be pro-
NOTED TO the line He Is anxious TO be where the
fighting Is likely to be thickest and would be de-
lighted TO 30 with Commodore Watsons squad
ron 10 Spain. Just what reward Will be decided
upon for his heroisp is apparently not yet known
TO himself or any else -.'
| Lieutenant Hobson went over 10 gen Ridge,
n J.. yesterday afternoon. and took luncheon with
Mrs Sampson wife OF Rear Admiral Sampson. az
special messages TO Mrs, Sampson from the Adj
miral 1900.
lieutenant Hobson went 70 Boston last evening
HoBsON's MOTHER EXPECTS TO SEE HIM