Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-28
REWARD OF HEROES.
PRESIDENT SENDS TWO SPECIAL
MESSAGES TO CONGRESS.
HOBSON; NEWCOHB; HODGSOE; POWELL
Recognition of "Merftorious Ser
vices, Appropriate To Each Case
Thanks of Congress Recommended
for Hobson and the Hedson's Men.

/ gress providing for recognltlon OF IN
services OF Lieutenant Hobson. the he.t
of the Merrimac; OF Lieutenant Newcomi
and the crew Of the revenue cutter Hud
son. which rescued the torpedo-boa
winslow, at Cardenas; Captain Hodgson
of the dispatch-boat Hugh McCullocn
| which figured in the battle at Manila
and Naval-Cadet Joseph Wright Powell
who held the steam-launch under the
bluffs at Santiago harbor, searching foi
the crew OF the Merrimac.
Authority is asked OF the Senate foi
| the transfer of Hobson from the Con-
struction Corps 10 the line OF the navy
| and the President announces that, With
this authority given. he will. by and with
the advice and consent Of the Senate,
suitably advance Hobson in the line. The
Hudson's crew are 10 be given vote
OF thanks and medals Of commemoration.
Captain Hodgson is to be suitably recos-
nized. The President, in mentioning Hob
son, cites the fact that the crew with
him have already been promoted.
HoBSoN MESSAGE.
The message in relation to Hobson was
as follows:
ITO the Congress of the United States:
ION the morning of the Sd OF June
1898, t-Naval-Constructor Rich
mond Pearson Hobson, United States
navy, with volunteer crew Of seven
men, In charge Of the partially -disman-
tied collier Merrimac, entered the forti-
fed harbor of Santiago de Cuba, for The
purpose of sinking the collier in the mar
rowest portion of the channel and thus
interposing a serious obstacle TO The
egress Of the Spanish fleet, which had
recently entered that harbor. This en-
terprise, demanding GOODNESS, judgment,
and bravery amounting 10 heroism, was
carried into successful execution In the
face Of a persistent fire from the hostile
fleet. as well as from the Notifications
on shore.
"Rear-Admiral Sampson. commander
in-chief of our naval force in Cuban
waters. In an official report dated OF
Santiago de Cuba, June 3, 1885, and ad-
dressed to the Secretary Of the Navy,
referring 10 Mr. Hobsons gallant ex-
plot, says:
SIMPSONS REPORT.
GAS stated in a recent telegram, be-
fore coming here / decided to make the
harbor entrance secure against the posi-
bilty Of egress of the Spanish ships, by
obstructing the narrow part OF the en-
trance by sinking a collier at that point.
Upon calling upon Mr.. Hobson for his
professional opinion as to sure method
OF sinking the ship, he manifested most
lively interest in the problem. After seve-
raj days consideration he presented a
solution which he considered would en-
sure the immediate sinking Of the ship
when she had reached the desired point
fu The channel
The plan contemplated a crew of only
seven men, and Mr.. Hobson, who beg
ged that ii might be entrusted TO him.
&" AS soon as / reached Santiago, and
had the collier to work upon, the details
were commenced and diligently prose
cuted, hoping to complete them in one
day as the moon and tide served pest
the first night after our arrival Not
witistanding every effort, the hour OF
o'clock in the morning arrived and the
preparations were scarcely completed
After a careful inspection of the final
preparations, j was forced TO relinquish
the plan for that morning, as dawn was
breaking. Mr. Hobson begged TO try II,
at all hazards.
THE ADMIRAL'S COMBINATION.
"'This morning proved more propitious,
as a prompt start could be made NO
thing could have been more calamity
executed.
"a careful inspection Of the harbor
from this ship shows that the Merrimac
has been sunk in the channel.
81 cannot myself too earnestly ex-
press my appreciation Of the conduct OF
MIR. Hobson and his gallant crew. l VEN
ture to say that more brave and daring
thing has not been done since Cushing
blew up the Albemarle.'
MERRIMAC CREW AND POWELL.
''The members of the crew who were
with Mr.. Hobson on this memorable oc-
casion have already been rewarded for
their service by advancement which, I'M
der the provisions OF law and the regula-
tons, the Secretary of the Navy was au-
thorized to make; and the nomination
to the Senate of Naval-Cadet Powell,
who. in q steam launch, followed the Mer-
rimac on her perilous trip for the purpose
of resculng her force after the sinking Of
that vessel, to be advanced in rank TO
the grade Of ensign has been prepared
and will be submitted.
Gushing, with whose gallantry in blow
ing up the ram Albemarle during the civil
war Admiral Sampson compares Mr.. Hob
sons sinking OF the Merrimac. received
the thanks Of Congress. upon recon-
mendat ton of the President, by name. and
was, In consequence. under the provision
Of section 1903 of the Revised Statutes,
advanced one grade, such advancement
embracing Sc numbers. The section cited
applies. however, to line officers only,
and Mr.. Hobson, being member OF the
staff Of the navy. could not under its
provisions. be so advanced
THANKS OF CONGRESS.
"In considering the question OF suitably
rewarding Naval Constructor
Hobson for his gallant conduct on the
occasion referred to. l have deemed II
proper TO address this message to you.
with the recommendation that he re-
ceive the thanks OF Congress. and fur
Their, that he be transferred to the line
Of the navy and promoted TO such posi-
ton therein as the President by and
with the advice and consent of the SEN
ate may determine. Mr.. Hobson's trans
fer from the construction corps to the line
Is fully warranted ne having received the
necessary technical training as a graduate
of the Naval Academy, where he stood
number one in his class; and such action
is recommended, partly in difference 10
what is understood TO be his own desire
although ne being now prisoner in the
hands OF the enemy no direct communi-
cation on the subject has been received
from him, and partly for the ability dis
played by him at Santiago. which is OF
such character as to indicate especial fit
ness for the duties OF the line.
civilian MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion. June 81 1875"
In the second message the President
recounts the story OF the conflict IN me
Bay OF Cardenas. Cuba. on May nth in
which the naval torpedo-boat Winslow
was disabled, her commander was wound
"a orA nuA NJ her officers ans n ua VI