Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-23
POPULAR OVATION.

| The cry OF "Hobsoni Hobson!" rang
| out, and the crowd about him began
shaking his hand and pushing him about
until he was rescued by the police and
escorted to his carriage. He stopped long
| enough to announce that all of the men
| who formed the crew of the Merrimac
were safe and in the best of health. and
Navy Department he expected to return
Immediately to New York.
The officer was driven at once to the
Army and Navy Club, and after brushing
himself up he drove over to the Navy De-
partment.
WELCOME AT NAVY DEPARTMENT.
This time he carried with him, under
his arm, a large official envelope, which
bore the inscription North Atlantic
Squadron" AS he approached the Office
of the Secretary Of the Navy there en-
sued another demonstration. Il large
crowd had gathered about the doorway,
and the hearty welcome it gave the young
officer brought bushes to his cheeks.
Secretary Long came out Of his private
office, and grasping Hobson with 10th
hands. said with sincerity, Lieutenant,
1 am glad. very glad. to see YOU" Then
he drew him into his Office.
He spent half an hour in conference
with the Secretary, and then returned
to the club TO rest.
Secretary Long stated that Hobson did
not bring the long-expected report from
Admiral Sampson and his brother officers
on the destruction Of the Cervera fleet.
TO SAVE THE COLON.
The exact purpose of his visit was ex-
plained by an order issued by Admiral
Sampson, instructing him to proceed to
Washington and inform the Secretary
Of the Navy of the work done upon the
Cristobal Colon. Lieutenant Hobson was
instructed to be as expeditions as possible.
in order that If 1t is practicable to do
so. this fine ship may be saved to the
United States navy.
HOBSON AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
About $50 o'clock Lieutenant Hobson.
accompanied by Secretary Long, went TO
the White House to pay his respects 20
the President. The President received
the two gentlemen in the Cabinet-room. |
He gave Lieutenant Hobson a cordial !
greeting, and paid him a high tribute for |
what he regarded as one of the most con- |
spicuous acts OF gallantry in the history
of naval warfare. The Lieutenant mo-
destly acknowledged the compliments OF |
President Mckinley, and quietly turned |
the conversation to the object of his visit |
TO the United States at this time-the eff |
forts being made to save to this country |
some of the vessels of Acmiral Cervera's
squadron.
Lieutenant Hobson did not bring with
him the report OF Admiral Sampson on
the destruction of the feet OF Admiral
Cervera, but he was the bearer of a ver-
bal message from the Admiral 10 Secre-
tary Long to the effect that the report
on the battle was in course OF prepara-
ton, and would be forwarded in few
days.
TWO SHIPS CERTAINLY SAVED.
Concerning the efforts that are being
made to save some of the Spanish war
ships, Lieutenant Hobson said that two
Infanta Maria Teresa and
Reina Mercedes-woulc be saved, and ex-
pressed confidence that Cristobal Colon
would be saved also.
Lieutenant Hobson is enthusiastic in
MS efforts to save the ships, and hurried
ack to New York to take up the sub
ect of his mission with the wrecking
ompany Secretary Long said tonight
hat If the Colon could be saved she {
would be,