New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-05
NAVAL CONSTRUCTOR HOBSON.

Newport News, Va, June Gpecia).-Navai
Constructor Richmond Pearson Hobson, VINO VOL
unteered to take the collier Merrimac INTO san
tiago Harbor and in consequence Of his bravery
Is now a prisoner was detailed al the plant OF
the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry DOCK
Company for nearly year. assisting Construc-
tor Woodward in the work on the battle-ships
Kearsarge Kentucky and Illinois. and the gun
boats Helena, Nashville and Wilmington Hob
son is thirty years old. and is j son OF Judge
Hobson. Of Greensborough. Ala He was gradu-
ated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis IN
1889. standing at the head Of his class ana tax
ing first honors in every department or MS
studies
After leaving Annapolis he was sent with a de-
tail of assistant naval constructors to Paris.
where he remained two years In attendance at
the University Of Mechanical Engineering and
Naval Architecture. His classmate in the study
Of shpbuding was George H. Rock. who was
on the staff OF Naval Constructor Frank L. Fer
maid. at the Brooklyn yard Just previous to
Mr.. Hobson's assignment to that duty. In his
tour OF foreign ship yards FOR study and in
spect!on which is a part OF the regular course
OF training under the Government. Mr.. Hobson
made the acquaintance OF Croncau, the Cele-
brated French designer. and they became fast
friends Sir William Henry White. the English
designer from whose plans so large q portion OF
ths English Navy has been built, also aided
MIR. Hobson in his studies. The influence Of his
trip abroad shown after he had returned to
his labors here. and much discussion was pro-
yoked among shipbuilders by his advocacy or
the plan Of increasing the depth OF heavy armor
below the water-ins OF ship TO lessen the
danger from a shot which might be received
while the ship was rolling This argument was
sia # N
reared in The Tribune two years ago. and was
also printed In the Proceedings Of the Naval
Institute" His contributions 10 the latter jour
nal while all on the subject Of naval architect
ure, covered a wide range. the adaptabiity or
the disappearing sun to vesseis ana the use OF
aluminium on war vessels being articles widely
quoted
He returned TO the United States in 1892 and
was Immediately attached to the Bureau OF
Naval Construction and Repairs at the Navy De-
partmenI in Washington remaining there only
one year. lie was then assigned 10 duty on the
cruiser New-York. being the first neval con-
structor ever sent 10 on a vessel of the North
Atlantic Squadron. After short service
Hobson was aent to the Brooklyn Navy Yard at
New-York where he was in charge Of the requ-
sition Office. under Naval Constructor Bowles.
and made many warm friends.
In the fall Of 1896 lie came to Newport News.
as assistant to Naval Constructor Woodward.
Last summer he was ordered back TO the Naval
Academy, where he organized the post gradua te
the custom that previously existed Of sending
the three graduates having the highest records
abroad study In foreign universities.
When war was declared Hobson at once vol
unteered his services to Secretary Lorg for sea
duty. and urged that the first opportunity open
be given to MIN. Together with Naval Ca Diet =
EggeTt Powell and Dubois he was assigned to
the New-York, and It was from Admiral samp-